Skin tension after Mohs surgery? Straight line closure, no skin graft. (Photo)

Question

I had Mohs done 16 days ago, I had bcc in the corner between my eye and bridge of nose the wound ended up about the size of a cigarette butt. The stitches have been removed and the actual scar looks great, there is still a good size bump under it which I understand. The part I am upset with is the tension it has created, there is a "pull" on my skin in both directions...up and down from the closed area. They assure me this will go away, Please tell me it will.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

This likely will improve over time. It appears that you've had a good repair and that things are healing nicely. It is important to understand that soft tissue reconstruction can create temporary or even permanent issues like this because had to be recruited from one area to repair another. I find that massage of the area is very helpful in my practice but you should clear this with your dermatologist before trying this. Best.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

F. Victor Rueckl, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

It will go away. The skin loosens over time there, which is why we pull things tighter upon closures. If you look at some of the before/afters in the Mohs section you will see just what I'm talking about. There is actually a great one where you look at the woman's eyebrow and think "That will NEVER go down." And then low and behold in the after photo you can see it has settled right back down into the correct spot. It will take time. But remember the key is that your cancer is gone! "This answer has been solicited without seeing this patient and cannot 
be held as true medical advice, but only opinion. Seek in-person 
treatment with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."

Skin tension after Mohs surgery? Straight line closure, no skin graft. (Photo)

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Skin tension after Mohs surgery? Straight line closure, no skin graft. (Photo)

Answers (2)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Mohs Surgery

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