Should I let the wound from MOHs surgery heal on its own or have it closed up? (Photo)

Your forehead defect is small and would likely do well with allowing it to heal by itself (also known as healing by secondary intention).  This would result in an initially pink and then light scar that is the same shape as the defect and a bit smaller in size.  Other repair options include primary closure, and a good option here includes a horizontal-type closure along your natural hairline.  The horizontal line itself would be longer than your current defect, but would likely be well camouflaged by your natural hairline border and forehead expression lines.  Discuss your repair options with your surgeon for further recommendations, and best of luck in your recovery.

Hello, glad your skin cancer was removed successfully with Mohs surgery. There are a few options in terms of "repairing" the wound following Mohs. Letting it heal on its own is an option and will leave a round slightly lighter scar in the rough shape of your hole. We can also pull the skin closed with some stitches to give you a straight line scar or broken line scar (this depends on how much loose skin you have and where the tissue laxity allows the hole to be closed easiest). There are benefits to both options of healing on its own vs stitching. For healing on its own, there are no activity restrictions but generally the healing takes longer (6-12 weeks) and the area does not heal as well cosmetically. With stitching, the area heals quicker and generally leaves a better cosmetic outcome. It is not too late to have the area closed up with stitches so you have not lost that option. So it really depends on what my patients prefer but I find that in Stamford and lower Fairfield county area, most of the patients prefer having their wounds stitched closed. Good luck.