Recovery after Mohs surgery usually happens in stages. The first few days focus on protecting the wound and managing swelling or soreness, while scar improvement can continue for months. Knowing what is normal can make the recovery process feel much more manageable.

The First Few Days

Once the local anaesthetic wears off, the treated area may feel sore or tender. Mild pain, bruising and swelling are common after Mohs surgery, particularly when the procedure has taken place around the eyes or another sensitive part of the face.

For many patients, discomfort is relatively mild and can be managed with the pain relief recommended by the surgical team. The British Association of Dermatologists advises that simple pain relief such as paracetamol and rest may be useful during the first week while the area begins to settle.

You will normally leave with a dressing covering the wound. Depending on how the area has been repaired, you may be asked to keep the dressing dry for around 48 hours. Always follow your own surgeon's instructions because wound care can differ between a simple stitched repair, skin graft, flap or wound left to heal naturally.

A small amount of blood showing through the dressing can be normal. If heavier bleeding occurs, applying firm continuous pressure is commonly recommended. Contact your clinical team if it does not stop or if you are concerned.

The First One to Two Weeks

Swelling and bruising should usually start improving during the first week or two after Mohs surgery. Cambridge University Hospitals notes that bruising and swelling around the wound, particularly near the eyes, commonly settle within one or two weeks.

If your wound has non-dissolvable stitches, these may need to be removed after several days. For many Mohs wounds, removal takes place around five to ten days after the procedure, although timing depends on the location and repair.

Activity restrictions are also important during this stage. Depending on your wound, you may need to avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, bending, swimming and other activities that place tension on the repair. Some NHS Mohs guidance recommends avoiding these activities for at least 14 days.

Returning to work depends on the procedure and your job. Someone with a small repair and desk-based role may return sooner than someone whose work involves lifting, bending or physical exertion. Larger operations can also require several days of rest before normal routines feel comfortable again.

Healing Depends on How the Wound Was Repaired

Not every Mohs surgery wound heals in the same way. Once the cancer has been completely removed, the wound may be closed with stitches, reconstructed using a skin flap or graft, or allowed to heal naturally.

A straightforward stitched wound may settle relatively quickly. A graft or flap can require more careful wound care and follow-up, while a wound left to heal naturally may need regular dressings for several weeks and, according to BAD guidance, can sometimes take up to two months to close fully.

Some numbness can also occur after surgery because small nerves in the skin may be affected. Cancer Research UK notes that this often improves over the following weeks or months.

The scar itself takes longer to mature than the wound takes to close. It may initially look pink or red and feel firm or raised. General skin-surgery guidance explains that the scar can take many months to fade and become paler.

Know When to Contact Your Surgical Team

Recovery after Mohs surgery should gradually move towards less pain, less swelling and a calmer-looking wound. Some tenderness and redness are expected, but worsening symptoms deserve attention.

Contact your medical team if the wound becomes increasingly painful, hot, swollen or produces discharge. You should also seek advice for persistent heavy bleeding, fever or any symptom that feels significantly worse instead of gradually improving.

Try not to compare your recovery too closely with someone else's. The size and location of the cancer, the amount of tissue removed and the reconstruction method can all change how recovery looks and how long it takes.

Most importantly, follow the wound-care instructions provided by your own surgical team. If you are preparing for Mohs surgery or have concerns about how your wound is healing, contact Dr Arif Aslam's team for personalised advice about your recovery, aftercare and expected healing timeline.