Will I get a black eye from Mohs surgery above my eyebrow?

Question

Scheduled for squamous cell Mohs surgery above eyebrow. Will I get a black eye? Will I need stitches? How long for recovery?

Hooman Khorasani, MD · Answer

Thanks for the excellent question.  It is very common to develop a black eye after Mohs around the eyes and nose.  This is because the skin of the eyelids is very thin, and the orbits are concave and capture dependent bruising.  The black eye can last for up to 10 days after the procedure.  For this reason it is important to ice the area regularly and keep the head elevated.  Some people find that Arnica Forte speeds the resolution. 
I hope you had a successful Mohs surgery and are now cancer free.

Keith M. Blechman, MD · Answer

It is very common to develop a black eye after surgical procedures around the eyes and nose.  This is because the skin of the eyelids is very thin, and tiny droplets of blood become visible through it.  Even surgery on the forehead can sometimes cause a black eye because gravity pulls the tiny blood droplets down towards the eyelid.  For this reason, it’s not unusual for a black eye to develop several days after the procedure.If you’re interested in having a plastic surgeon perform a reconstructive procedure after Mohs, a visit to his/her office will help you to understand if you're a candidate for the procedure, and what aesthetic and/or functional outcomes are realistic in your particular case.  In order to get a qualified, ethical, and expert opinion on your surgical options and expectations, always schedule an in-person office consultation with a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Best of luck,
Keith M. Blechman, MD
New York, NY

Will I get a black eye from Mohs surgery above my eyebrow?

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Will I get a black eye from Mohs surgery above my eyebrow?

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Everything you need to know about Mohs Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.