After Mohs Laser Facial Treatments?

Hi CorinCatt,

Two years ago I had infiltrating BCC on my nose with a resulting MOHS, then paramedian forehead flap, then two more surgeries to detach and reimplant artery in forehead. It has been a long long process but in addition to scar gel, scar tape, massage of scars and avoiding sun, I had Lumenis CO2 fractional laser treatment of my entire face approximately 3.5 months after my initial repair (flap graft). It made a HUGE difference immediately and even more so within months. I feel like my overall skin still looks better 20 months later. The skin is more uniform without noticeable age spots, wrinkles are reduced (BONUS!) and overall the skin looks healthier. The immediate result is a fright but over the course of a week the outer layers of skin are sloughed and new fresh skin appears underneath which in my case resulted in less pigmentation and significant lessening of the scar that extended from my hairline at top of forehead all the way to my nose. TIME has made a lot of difference too. The scars are very faint thin lines now. Not noticeable at all if I'm in makeup. I believe it did "tighten" my skin a bit but it did not add to the tightness and numb feeling in the scars themselves. Good luck to you. Try to be patient with your healing. It is a process that takes time. 

All the best, 

Teddi

Hi Teddi,

Did you have ablative or non-ablative laser treatment? Was it painful for a week or longer? Do you think one could work the week after having a facial laser treatment with meetings with others? Sounds like you are really happy with the laser results.Sounds like you still have numbness by the scar. My surgery was the last week of 6/2021. Perhaps I should wait a while longer to see if tightness & numbness dissipate more. I have been fearful of any more treatment to my face.Thank you so much for sharing. My Best, Catt

Hi CorinCatt,

I had the Lumenis CO2 fractional laser which is ablative. There was very little pain except for DURING the treatment. I did my full face with just a nerve block. Where the block worked it was fine but in a few areas around my eyes it was somewhat painful but very temporary. I looked like a MESS the first 5-7 days. It basically looked like I had little pinpoint bleeds/bruises all over my whole face. Then the peeling starts. I was also very red even once the bleeds/bruises went away. By 8 days I looked really good, I could put on makeup and go out. The first 5 days at least you are coated in aquaphor or vaseline and look like a fright. I would do it all over again. It was amazing result. 

I do still have numbness in my nose where the graft from my forehead was placed and I take care not to get it cold because I can't really feel it. Apparently this is normal. As for the rest of the scar across my forehead it has become less numb and now just a bit tingly. I was unfortunate enough to have a second BCC and MOHS of right lower eyelid just 7 months after the one on nose/flap repair. That repair is still a little tingly but is virtually invisible after another round of laser just to the scar. 

I was pretty worried about pain too but overall it was short lived, tolerable and I'm glad I did it both times. I would be happy to send you a photo of the immediate and 7 days after the MOHS so you can see what I am talking about. I will see if I can go to your profile, friend you and then send you a message with my Email address. I have to say, communicating with a few other members here and exchanging photos throughout our journey was incredibly helpful and made me realize I was going to be just fine. 

Teddi