Mohs surgery is becoming a very common procedure for handling a wide variety of skin cancer issues. This procedure has been used in the removal of melanomas, carcinomas, and other skin cancers in recent years. While the surgery is minimally invasive, wound care is still essential after the surgery.
Mohs surgery involves removing a skin cancer layer by layer until the cancerous cells are gone. It’s a delicate procedure, but one that can be done easily and it can be done in an outpatient setting.
Proper wound dressings and tape should be used after Mohs surgery. Dressings that offer slight compression are best, and Hy-Tape can be used to secure the dressing without causing additional skin irritation due to tis inclusion of zinc oxide. The tape is also UPF50+ which protects the skin from the damaging effects of the sun, helping reduce the chances of scarring.
Taking proper care of your wound after Mohs surgery can help your skin heal more fully. It’s important to follow your doctor’s orders on how to care for your wound. Be sure to keep in touch with your doctor after the surgery if you feel things aren’t progressing well.
What to do after Mohs surgery
There are many best practices for handling your wound after Mohs surgery. Be sure to keep these in mind so your wound will heal as best it can:
- Feel free to shower with the wound dressing on, but remember to put on a new dressing afterward. The wound should not be wet or damp for an extended period of time.
- Expect swelling at the wound site. This is normal, as the skin is repairing itself and healing.
- Keep the wound elevated whenever possible. This will assist in the healing process, keeping excess blood away from the wounded area.
- Expect bleeding at the site of the wound. Any amount of pressure on the wound can open it, but a good wound dressing will absorb the blood and allow for proper healing. Just replace the wound dressing when needed.
- Apply a layer of petroleum jelly when changing dressings. The ingredients in petroleum jelly can protect the wound from infection and speed the healing process.
- Clean and replace the dressing daily. It will help the wound to heal faster when it’s carefully dried and protected by a fresh bandage, held in place by a strong tape such as Hy-Tape. This tape features zinc oxide as well, an ingredient that protects he skin from additional damage when the bandage moves or when it is removed completely.
What NOT to do after Mohs surgery
Almost as important as what to do after Mohs surgery is what NOT to do. Be sure to avoid the following activities in order to heal quickly and properly:
- Do not remove steri-strips after surgery. These small pieces of medical tape are in place to help pull the skin closer together so as to assist in healing. These will be removed when the doctor says the wound has healed.
- Do not submerge the wound in water. A little water on the wound dressing is ok but it can quickly break down when submerged in a bath or pool. If the dressing becomes too wet, replace it quickly and secure it with water-resistant Hy-Tape.
- Do not allow a scab to form. Unlike other wounds, a wound from Mohs surgery should not form a scab, as this will slow the healing process.
- Do not expose the wound to open air for very long. Bacteria can quickly get into the wound and cause an infection. Make sure to swap dressings from time to time but don’t leave the wound uncovered for long periods.
- Do not elevate your heart rate for extended periods until fully healed. Excess blood flow can slow the healing process and cause the wound to bleed.
- Do not expose your wound to prolonged periods of sunlight as it can produce scarring and slow the healing process. Securing your wound dressing with Hy-Tape, a UPF50+ tape, can help reduce the chances of sun damage.
Why use Hy-Tape to secure your wound dressing?
When securing your Mohs surgery wound dressing, it’s vital the dressing stay in place for maximum effect. Hy-Tape is the best option for securing a wound dressing.
Hy-Tape uses a special zinc-oxide formula that is sensitive to the skin, helping protect the wound and avoid irritation. It holds firm while also allowing for a full range of motion. It’s also UPF50+, a protective tape that defends against the sun’s UV rays and helps patients to avoid scarring. Hy-Tape offers comfort and security unlike any other medical tape on the market today.
After Mohs surgery, make sure your wound heals as well as possible. Use high-quality wound dressings every day and secure them in place with Hy-Tape. Contact us today to learn more about why Hy-Tape is the choice for Mohs surgery wound dressings.