How to Care for Your Skin Post-Mole Removal

Almost everyone has a mole. It is a little patch of skin pigment that looks like a giant freckle and is mostly harmless.

 

Melanocytes are cells that supply your skin with its coloring or pigmentation. Moles are clusters of skin cells that develop on the skin's surface. They are typically round or oval in shape and may feature either a rough, uneven edge or a smooth, uniform one.

 

If you've recently had a mole removed or are considering the procedure, this blog covers essential aftercare tips to help you care for your skin.

 

What To Expect After Mole Removal

 

After your doctor removes your mole, they will suture the site to help heal. They will dress the treated area and give you instructions on how to care for yourself during recovery. If you want to read a blog about mole removals, please read it here.

 

If you don't feel faint or dizzy after getting wound care instructions, you can return home and rest. Some surgeries may take a week or two to recover from it entirely. A follow-up exam may be necessary in 1-2 weeks to ensure the area is healing properly.

 

Although pain is rare, you may experience discomfort and itching. Since this procedure is short and minimally invasive, you can immediately return to your normal activities. If the mole was removed from a visible area, it's advisable to take 1-2 days off from social events.

 

For the first 1-4 days post Mole Removal, you might be experiencing slight soreness within the treated area. That is normal and should end once the skin heals. Keep the treatment site clean and apply a bandage for 1-2 days to protect the area. Remove the bandage when this period expires and keep the area moisturized.

 

Not sure if you should get a mole removed? Our helpful guide can point you in the right direction—check it out here.

How Long Does It Take for a Removed Mole to Heal? 

A mole removal scar will heal in most cases within 2 to 3 weeks. After the wound has healed, various scar-reduction methods should be applied.

 

Proper wound care is essential for preventing infections and reducing the risk of scarring.

 

Healing Phases of the Mole Scar

 

After mole removal, the healing process of the scar unfolds in three stages:

 

This is the inflammatory stage. It commences after 12 hours from the extraction and continues for about 5 days.

 

Proliferation Stage: This phase begins within 24 hours after removal and typically lasts for around 7 days. It tends to overlap with the inflammatory phase.

 

The maturation stage: This final stage may last up to a year after the surgery.The surgical stitches from a mole removal can be removed 1-2 weeks after the treatment.

 

The body has been working on fixing that scar for an entire year. Please read our complete blog on mole scars and how to care for them here.

 

How To Take Care Of Your Skin After Mole Removal

 

Scarring is possible by removing a mole, especially a malignant or pre-cancerous mole, which requires a deeper excision. However, there are some things you can do to help your skin heal and scar less.

 

Keeping the wound moist after mole removal is crucial and can accelerate healing by up to 50%.The wound should generally be kept clean, bandaged, and hydrated with over-the-counter ointments.

 

You should change the bandage once or twice daily.

Avoid using alcohol on mole removal wounds, as it may hinder the healing process.

 

How To Prevent Mole Removal Scarring

 

Avoid touching or stretching the treated area, and keep your skin smooth and untouched as it heals.

 

Please do not go out under the sun because it can damage the healing area, and use suncream always when stepping outside.

 

After the wound heals, gentle massage improves circulation, enhances healing, and reduces stiffness in the affected area.

 

To avoid scarring and inflammation when the wound is healing after mole removal, do not smoke, consume alcohol, and avoid using blood-thinning medications.

 

What does a mole removal scar look like?

 

This varies, depending on the mole to be removed. The body starts to heal the wound within the first days after a mole removal surgery. Scarring happens when the body is healing from traumas, which tend to penetrate deep layers of the skin.

 

Collagen is naturally produced by the body to repair the skin where the mole was removed. However, collagen generated in response to injury is typically thicker and denser than normal.

In the first 2–4 weeks following mole removal, the treated area may feel rough, appear red, and become slightly stiff as the new tissue begins to heal.

During the initial 1–2 months, the wound may be slightly raised and red. Over time, the scar generally fades and flattens, blending more seamlessly with the surrounding skin.

 

Key Takeaways

 

Almost everyone has moles on their body, averaging up to 40 moles, but if one changes, it might be a sign of skin cancer.

 

After your mole removal, your doctor will stitch up the wound and apply a bandage.Your doctor will give you detailed instructions for the healing process.

 

You could be experiencing soreness for as long as 4 days following the mole removal procedure.

 

Mole removal scars usually heal within 2 to 3 weeks.

 

The mole removal wound should always be moist and covered with a sterile bandage.

 

Never attempt to remove a mole at home.

 

Renowned physicians at Perfect Image Consultants will evaluate, screen, and remove your moles. We offer both cosmetic removal and biopsy procedures.Please find your nearest mole clinic and arrange a consultation with one of our doctors to advise which mole removal service is best for you.