Why Use Vaseline After Mohs Surgery? Does It Keep the Wound "Soft" and Healing Better?

Hey Laura, 



This is an old thread, but I have a couple things to add.. 

Through medical studies we've learned that moist things heal faster. Ointment (of any kind keeps the tissue underneath moist)

- we've learned that topical ointments with antibiotics in them don't prevent infections any better than vaseline does. It's more expensive, risks dermatitis reaction or allergic reaction

- In my practice I think of scabs (the dried blood around stitches) as a concrete scaffolding that prevents the ingrowth and cross linking of dermal fingers that is the healing process. So scabs actually prevent healing! They also result in unsightly scars. 

- silicon sheeting has been the only thing to improve scarring- this is because it keeps things underneath it moist- that's all it does!

Hope this helps!

Dr. Robb

Great question.  Moist wound healing is the best for your surgical wounds. Vaseline is one cheap and simple product that provides this moist wound environment.  I hope this helps answer your question!

Moist healing is faster than dry healing with a scab.  Neosporin can be allergenic and during healing patients can react to it if they develop an allergy which occurs in about 10% of patients.Bacitracin or Polysporin are less allergenic.Vasaline avoids the allergy risk so your doctor is recommending it to keep the wound mosit.