Recovery guide · Skin cancer surgery
Mohs surgery
recovery
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Last reviewed: May 2026 · Based on
BAD BCC guidelines ·
Cancer Council Australia ·
NHS ·
healthdirect
Mohs micrographic surgery removes skin cancer in stages, examining each layer under a microscope before proceeding. Recovery depends on whether the wound was closed (sutured, flap or graft) or left open to heal on its own (secondary intention). This guide covers both.
🚫 This guide is for people who have already had Mohs surgery. It does not help assess undiagnosed skin lesions. For concerns about your wound or results, contact your dermatologist or Mohs surgeon.
Recovery essentials
Practical items that other patients have found helpful during recovery.
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Mohs surgery wounds need careful dressing changes: whether closed with stitches, a flap, or left to heal by secondary intention. Wound dressings →
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Protecting the healed Mohs site from UV exposure for at least 12 months helps minimise scar visibility and reduces skin cancer recurrence risk. SPF 50+ sunscreen →
Postopcare.info may earn a small commission from Amazon at no cost to you. These are things patients have told us genuinely helped their recovery — nothing else.
🚨 When to seek help
- Thick yellow or green discharge
- Spreading redness around wound
- Fever 38 degrees C or above
- Heavy wound bleeding that will not stop
000 (AU) · 999 (UK) · 911 (US) · 112 (EU)
In a life-threatening situation, call your local emergency number immediately. Do not wait.
In a life-threatening situation, call your local emergency number immediately. Do not wait.
Your recovery toolkit
Free interactive tools to track your recovery day by day. Everything stays on your device — nothing is uploaded or shared.
Daily dashboardMeds, vitals & wound photos in one view
Discharge packTurn discharge notes into a day-one plan
Last-dose tracker“When can I take the next one?”
Vitals trackerTemperature, heart rate, BP & oxygen
Wound photo journalSame angle every day — spot changes early
Pain trackerSpot the trend, share it with your GP
These tools support — never replace — the advice of your surgical team. If something feels wrong, contact your doctor or emergency services.