Recovering after any surgery takes time and patience. Proper aftercare for the incision site is vital for reducing the risk of permanent scarring. The stakes are even higher when surgery is done on your face.
Mohs surgery is a specialized surgical method done to remove non-threatening cancer from the skin. It involves removing the skin cancer one layer at a time until the cancerous skin tissue is no longer present. Though the procedure is highly effective, it can leave behind scarring.
If you have recently undergone Mohs surgery on your face, the following tips can help you reduce your risk of unsightly scarring.
1. Limit Your Sun Exposure
Healing skin is extra sensitive to the sun and too much exposure can cause scars to darken and become more noticeable. Plus, harmful UV rays damage skin cells over time and may make you more prone to skin cancer later down the road.
To prevent sun damage, limit your sun exposure and keep your incision site properly covered when you are in the sun. Also, make a habit of wearing sunscreen. Sunscreen will block harmful UV rays that darken scars and cause cancers.
2. Keep Your Wound Protected
Your surgeon should provide you with follow-up care for your incision site, make sure you follow their advice! Keeping your wound clean and protected after surgery is vital to a speedy and successful recovery.
Wound care will typically include keeping the wound clean and properly bandaged to prevent bacteria and debris from getting in and causing infection.
3. Use Ointment
Using a wound care ointment like vitamin E, Aquaphor, or a silicone based-scar gel provides moisture, which can help a wound heal faster. Using ointment on your wound can also help prevent scar tissue from forming by allowing your skin to stay hydrated and flexible.
4. Consider Dietary Supplements
The body has an incredible self-repair process. It works overtime to build new skin cells and repair damaged tissue after a surgery or injury. To do this tough work, however, it needs proper nutrients. While food is the best way to get your nutrients, it’s sometimes hard to get enough of them in your diet.
Taking a multi-nutrient supplement like WoundVite can help you get the right amount of vitamins and minerals you need to help your body heal.* WoundVite contains specific ingredients that have been researched for their effectiveness in healing wounds and preventing scarring.*
Including a dietary supplement like WoundVite into your after-care regimen may ensure a more successful recovery.*
The Takeaway
Mohs surgery on the face is a common procedure with a high success rate. Much care is taken to prevent scarring, but it can’t always be avoided.
However, with proper aftercare and following simple rules such as limiting sun exposure, keeping your wound clean and moist, and consuming enough vital nutrients, you can reduce your risk of scarring and have a successful, speedier recovery.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.