Many people are concerned about scarring after mole removal, but it’s usually a minor issue. Dr. George Brennan, MD will give you tips and advice on how to prevent scarring after mole removal.
- Keep the Wound Clean After mole removal, it’s important to keep the wound clean. This is essential for preventing scarred tissue and promoting healing.
Keeping your wound clean is easy and can help prevent infections. Simply wash the wound daily with soap and water, then apply petroleum jelly or another similar ointment to keep the skin moist.
For smaller mole-removal wounds, a run-of-the-mill adhesive bandage and antiseptic pad is enough to keep the skin covered and, on its way, to healing without scars.
After a mole is removed, the body will start to repair broken skin cells and make collagen to connect the skin together. This process creates a small protective flap of skin that’s called a scab.
- Apply Moisturizer If you have a mole removed, you may need to apply moisturizer regularly to the wound. This is to prevent scarred tissue from forming.
The best type of moisturizer for the wound will depend on your skin’s needs. Sensitive skin types should look for moisturizers that are fragrance-free and formulated with barrier-boosting ingredients, like ceramides and peptides.
Once you’ve cleansed your skin with a gentle, nourishing wash, use a thick moisturizing cream or ointment and massage it into the wound. You’ll need to do this on a daily basis for several months.
Keeping the wound covered with a thin layer of petroleum jelly helps accelerate healing and reduces the risk of scarring, but you should never stay out in the sun during this period, as UV rays can darken skin or discolor scars. Protect the scar from sun exposure with a broad-spectrum sunscreen that offers SPF 30 or higher protection.
- Cover the Wound with Sunscreen In order to prevent scarred tissue from occurring after mole removal, it is important to cover the wound with sunscreen. Sunlight causes the skin to produce a pigment called melanin that can make scars dark and more noticeable.
Dermatologists recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and reapplying it regularly. Keeping the area protected can help reduce red or brown discoloration, which can speed up the healing process and fade your scar.
During the healing process, the wound can become dry, which increases the risk of developing a scab. Applying a moisturizer can keep the wound from drying out too much and causing a scab to form.
Once the scab forms, it is important to change the bandage daily to keep the area clean. A non-adhesive bandage or a non-adhesive gauze pad works well for covering the wound. Hydrogel or silicone gel sheets also are effective.
- Massage the Wound The key to preventing scarred tissue after mole removal is to massage the wound regularly. This helps to promote blood flow and reduce swelling, itching and irritation.
Ideally the massage should be done daily to get the most benefit. This can be performed for about ten minutes each time and should include circular, vertical and horizontal motions.
When massaging a scar, it is important to use a very light pressure and not overly rough. This can cause the skin to blister or scab over, so only do this when the scar has matured and is not red or inflamed.
Using the pads of your fingers or thumbs, gently rub the scar in a circular matter. This should cause the scar to blanch (turn pale) but not hurt.
Are you considering mole removal surgery? If so, contact Dr. George Brennan, a cosmetic surgeon in Newport Beach.
