Mohs Surgery Scarring: 3 Treatments to Consider

Skin cancer can be deadly, but thanks to some innovative medical techniques, specialists can painstakingly remove the cancerous layers of skin one by one, preserving your healthy skin in the process. 

Although Mohs surgery, also called micrographic skin cancer surgery, improves greatly on the large scars resulting from excision techniques, you’ll still have a scar. But at Limmer Dermatology in San Antonio, Texas, we can minimize the scarring with effective treatments.

Dr. Byron Limmer and Dr. Rachel Limmer offer treatments to help you reduce and diminish Mohs surgery scarring. Here’s why Mohs surgery causes scarring and what you can do about it. 

Why Mohs surgery causes scarring

Mohs micrographic surgery differs from traditional excisional surgery in that we do it in stages. We remove the affected skin layer by layer and check the results under a microscope before proceeding until we have eliminated all the cancerous cells. 

This technique is not only more efficient and less damaging than older techniques, but it also has an impressive success rate of 99%. 

Dr. Byron Limmer is a specially trained Mohs surgeon who can treat basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas precisely and completely with Mohs surgery, no matter where your lesion appears — your face, scalp, neck, legs, arms, or genitals.

While Mohs surgery leaves you with the smallest scar possible, it still leaves a scar because we’ve removed damaged skin tissue. As your skin heals, excess collagen rushes to the site and builds up quickly to close the wound, creating a haphazard lump of tissue or a depressed area on your skin. 

How to minimize Mohs surgery scars

We know you’re grateful to have cancer behind you, but it’s normal to want the best healing possible. Scarring appears in different shapes, sizes, and textures depending on your skin type and the extent of your surgery. 

Fortunately, we offer several treatments to help you minimize your scar’s appearance as soon as your Mohs surgery is done. Here are three examples. 

Topical solutions

Silicon gel treatment is a time-honored way to prevent scars from developing into unsightly clumps of tissue. These products come in both gels that are rubbed onto the skin and thin sheets of gel that adhere to your wound, keeping it moist as it heals. These are used daily for several weeks, but it’s worth it when you realize the benefits:

• Reduce redness and swelling
• Softer, more pliable skin
• Lower chance of developing a raised scar

We can let you know if a silicon sheet is suitable for your surgical site.

Laser Genesis

Laser Genesis is a noninvasive, painless treatment that uses laser technology to penetrate deep into your skin's surface and gently heat those inner tissues. This activity stimulates collagen production and promotes healing, so you develop a less noticeable scar. 

The treatment is quick — only about 30 minutes — and there is no downtime required. Laser Genesis lets you walk away with smoother, softer skin with less redness and a more even texture. 

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion, another noninvasive treatment, removes dead skin cells and smoothes your skin's texture. During this treatment, tiny crystals exfoliate your skin's surface, and a built-in vacuum removes the dead skin cells. 

We use microdermabrasion to improve skin tone and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and scars, including those from Mohs surgery.

Not all patients require treatment for their Mohs surgery scars. After the procedure, you should expect some redness, swelling, and discomfort around the surgery site. Follow our post-operative instructions to ensure proper healing and reduce the risk of scarring.

If you’re planning to have Mohs surgery or you’ve already undergone the procedure, find out if one of our many scar-reducing treatments is right for you. Call us at Limmer Dermatology in San Antonio, Texas, or request an appointment online.