4 Picks for Better Looking Skin after Mohs Surgery

Contributed by: Tiffany Becker, The Hive Overland Park

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It is shocking how my skin changed as I entered the “middle stage”! So many new spots and bumps and weird areas.

My dermatologist chalked most of it up to age and sun. I was a lifeguard back in the 80s and not only did we NOT wear sunscreen, we lathered up in baby oil so we would get good and crispy every day. I also spent my fair share of time in tanning beds before dances and really whenever the Bain-de-Soleil tan faded.

Not surprisingly, my dermatologist found a basal cell carcinoma on my face, and then another and then another – three in all over the course of one year. That meant three separate Mohs surgeries and a lot of scarring on my face. I’m not going to go into a great deal of detail on the Mohs technique but basically, they cut out thin layers of skin and look at them under a microscope until there are no more cancer cells. In my case, this resulted in three long incisions and lots of stitches and then a long healing process.

I followed doctor’s orders for wound care and all the follow-up, and here are the products that I feel made a difference for me:

Pick #1:

After the incision sites were basically healed, my dermatologist recommended that I continue to moisturize like crazy and complete scar massage several times each day. He initially recommended petroleum jelly but it was so greasy and slimy, I felt like a slug. Petroleum Jelly was a no-go for me! So, my dermatologist said Eucerin Cream would get the job done too, which is fortuitous because I have been using Eucerin for years.

I like the super thick, original cream in the jar – it is not easy to spread, but once you get it on, the moisturizing properties last all day. I’m not sure how it works, but the manufacturer says, “Eucerin binds water to the skin to provide effective moisturization and helps prevent moisture loss by replenishing the skin's moisture barrier." It is non-comedogenic and free of fragrances and dyes. My skin is pretty dry so I can use all the help I can get in the moisturizing department.

For several months after the stitches were removed, I slathered Eucerin on morning and night with some scar massage mixed in and it really worked to reduce the scarring and keep my skin soft and smooth. See my before and after pictures below.

Pick #2:

Because I was at the skin cancer surgery office so many times over the past year, and each appointment lasted about half a day, I got to spend some serious time eavesdropping on conversations about new restaurants, surgery techniques, and most importantly skin care.

Several nurses were interrogating the doctors on which skin care products they recommended and why. The summary of that conversation boiled down to the

doctors recommending Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream.

They said that the Hyaluronic Acid binds water to your skin and the Glycerine aids in hydration by penetrating nine layers deep. I’m sure there is more scientific information about how this product works, but after using it for several months, I am sold on its ability to hydrate my skin.

Pick #3:

Sunscreen and more sunscreen!! Dermatologists seem to agree that sunscreen is a must before heading outside and should be used Every. Single. Day! Those harmful ultraviolet rays, the ones responsible for sunburns, premature aging, and skin cancer, don’t discriminate between sunny or cloudy days and are just as powerful in winter as they are during the summer.

The good news is that there is no shortage of products that contain sunscreen – concealer, foundation, moisturizer, etc. I prefer to use a straight-up sunscreen on my face with SPF 30 or higher. I have tried many brands, expensive and cheap, and they all seem to provide similar sun protection. Ask your dermatologist for recommendations or try a few brands and you will quickly find one you like. Here are a few of the ones I use regularly.

Supergoop! PLAY , OLAY Complete ,Cetaphil SPF 35 , Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch

Pick #4:

Right around the time of each surgery, I had an event to go to that required a little covering up of the scars. I’m not a big makeup person because I am terribly under-skilled in putting it on, but if you have ever had a scar with some bruising and inflammation, you know that it can range from red to purple to green. It can be tricky to fully cover up.

So, I watched some YouTube videos and makeup tutorials on covering scars, but they were quite complex and were outside of my artistic range. I was in a time pinch one evening and tried covering the scars with my regular it Cosmetics brand under eye concealer and it

worked wonders! It was thick enough to cover even the darkest purple areas and blended with my skin so I didn’t have to put it all over my face. It was the perfect quick-fix.

The it Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer (whew that’s a mouthful) comes in bunches of shades so its easy to find one that works for you.

All the scars are still a work in progress from a healing standpoint, but I really believe these skin care products helped reduce my scarring, increased the moisture in my face, and will help prevent future skin cancers.

If you have questions about any of these products, please ask your doctor or dermatologist. This is my personal opinion and a discussion of what worked for me.

What's your favorite skincare product? Share in the comments below.