Should vaseline continue to be used after stitches removed from mohs surgery one week ago?

Thanks for your post.  I hope you are healing well after Mohs reconstruction.  After every Mohs procedure you should be provided with written and verbal instructions about wound care so you should have crystal clear directions on how to care for the wound.  Please contact your surgeon as they may have forgotten to provide you with these instructions.  Every surgery is different and every surgeon has their own wound care preferences.  I hope this helps.

Thank you for your question. As a Mohs surgeon, Ihave found that it is best to apply a thin layer of Aquaphor (this is my preferred ointment but Vaseline works as well) and abandage after the surgical site has been repaired and then leave the bandage onuntil sutures are removed. The Aquaphor will help to keep the site moisturizedwhich in turn will help with scarring. When sutures are removed, it is againbest to apply a thin layer of Aquaphor ointment and a bandage and leave this isplace for several more days. If, after removal of the second bandage, the scarappears dry and scabs are present, it is best to apply a thin layer ofAquaphor. However, if the scar is not dry and you do not note any scabformation, then simply apply sunblock. If you do need to apply Aquaphor orVaseline, be sure to also apply sunblock as the sun will be attracted to theshine of the ointment. The best way to improve scarring is to apply sunblockdaily and reapply every two hours.  Youmay also check with your dermatologist and see if they would recommend use of aretinoid such as Retin-A (Tretinoin is the generic name) or even retinol forcollagen production and scar improvement as well as fine line prevention asthis is the number one product to use after sunscreen.

Traditionally the answer is no. I do not have my mohs patients use any ointment after the first week for most wounds. It is very surgeon dependent. I prefer to keep the wound covered at that point with a bandage or tape. I may also use a silicone based product shown to improve scarring as well, but I do not like ointment after one week because the wound becomes macerated like being in the pool too long and can become prone to breaking open. I hope this helps. Sincerely,DrRickAZ

We customarily advised a two week course of an ointment based topical agent after a surgical procedure.  Typically we will advise bacitracin or aquafor, but vasoline is acceptable as well.  The advantage of using such an agent is to protect the wound from external allergens as well as keeping the incision site moisturized.

Moisturizing the incision site after the sutures are removed will help with scar. I would use a scar ointment as opposed to Vaseline at this time. There area various OTC options as well as prescription silicone gels and sheets that would work better. I would talk with your dermatologist and see what they may have available at their office. 

Moisture is very helpful for scar healing. I prefer silicone sheeting or Aquaphor to Vaseline. It can irritate the skin.