Mohs Surgery Recovery: A Week-by-Week Healing Timeline

What to Expect During Recovery

After your Mohs surgery is complete and the wound has been repaired, the next chapter begins: healing. Understanding the recovery process in advance can significantly reduce anxiety and help you take the best possible care of your surgical site. Dr. Yehonatan Kaplan provides every patient with personalized wound care instructions, and this timeline offers a general framework for what most patients experience.

Every person heals differently, and factors such as the size and location of the surgery, the type of reconstruction, your age, and overall health all influence your individual timeline. That said, the general progression is consistent and predictable.

Day 1: Surgery Day and the First Night

When you leave Assuta Hospital or Herzliya Medical Center after your procedure, you will have a pressure bandage over the surgical site. This bandage serves an important purpose: it applies gentle, steady pressure to minimize bleeding and swelling.

What to expect. The local anesthesia will begin to wear off within a few hours after surgery. As it does, you will likely feel a dull ache or soreness at the surgical site. This is normal and expected.

Pain management. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is usually sufficient for managing post-operative discomfort. Continue taking all your regular medications as usual. If Dr. Kaplan has prescribed a specific pain medication, take it as directed.

Activity. Rest for the remainder of the day. Keep your head elevated, especially if surgery was on your face. Use an extra pillow when sleeping. Avoid bending over, heavy lifting, or any strenuous activity.

Bleeding. Minor oozing through the bandage is normal. If you experience heavy bleeding that soaks through the bandage, apply firm, steady pressure with a clean cloth for 20 minutes. If bleeding does not stop, contact Dr. Kaplan's office.

Days 2 to 3: Early Recovery and Bandage Care

The pressure bandage is typically left in place for 24 to 48 hours. When it is time to change the bandage, Dr. Kaplan's team will have provided specific instructions based on your reconstruction type.

Swelling and bruising. Expect swelling to peak around 48 hours after surgery. If your surgery was near the eyes, you may notice bruising that spreads to the eyelids or under the eyes. This looks alarming but is harmless and resolves on its own within one to two weeks. Cold compresses applied gently near the area, but not directly on the wound, can help reduce swelling.

Wound care. When you change the bandage, gently clean the area with mild soap and water as instructed. Apply a thin layer of the prescribed ointment and cover with a fresh non-stick bandage. Keeping the wound moist promotes faster healing and reduces scarring.

What to avoid. Do not submerge the wound in water. Quick showers are fine, but avoid baths, swimming pools, hot tubs, and the sea.

Days 4 to 7: The First Week

By the end of the first week, you will notice meaningful improvement.

Stitches. Your stitches are still in place and should not be removed on your own. They are holding the reconstruction together while the tissue bonds underneath. You may feel itching around the stitches, which is a normal sign of healing. Do not scratch or pick at the area.

Discomfort. Pain typically decreases significantly by day 4 or 5. Most patients have stopped taking pain medication entirely by the end of the first week.

Appearance. The surgical site will look red, swollen, and possibly uneven. This is completely normal. It does not represent the final cosmetic result. The area needs months to settle into its final appearance.

Daily activities. You can gradually return to light daily activities. Walking is encouraged as it promotes circulation and healing. Avoid anything that significantly raises your blood pressure or heart rate, as this can increase swelling and risk of bleeding. For specific guidance on returning to work, read our article on activity guidelines after Mohs surgery.

Week 2: Stitch Removal

Stitch removal typically occurs between 5 and 14 days after surgery, depending on the location and type of reconstruction. Facial stitches are usually removed earlier, around 5 to 7 days, to minimize stitch marks. Stitches on the body may stay in longer.

The removal process. Stitch removal is a quick procedure that most patients describe as mildly uncomfortable but not painful. The area may feel tender for a day or two after removal.

After stitch removal. Adhesive wound closure strips, sometimes called butterfly strips or Steri-Strips, may be applied to provide additional support. These should be left in place until they fall off naturally, usually within 7 to 10 days.

Ongoing wound care. Continue to keep the area clean and moisturized with ointment for as long as Dr. Kaplan recommends, typically until the wound is fully closed and no longer has any crusting or open areas.

Weeks 2 to 4: Active Healing

This is the phase where your body is doing its most intensive repair work beneath the surface.

The scar. The incision line may appear red or pink and slightly raised. This is a normal part of the healing process. The scar is producing collagen, which is the building material your body uses to repair tissue.

Tightness and numbness. It is common to feel tightness or pulling around the surgical site, especially with flap reconstructions. Temporary numbness or altered sensation in the area is also normal and usually improves gradually over weeks to months.

Sun protection. This is especially important in Israel where UV exposure is intense. A healing scar that is exposed to the sun can become permanently darker than the surrounding skin, a condition called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 or higher to the area every day, or cover it with a bandage or clothing. This is not optional. Sun protection is one of the single most important things you can do for your cosmetic outcome.

Months 1 to 3: Scar Maturation Begins

Patience becomes especially important during this phase. The scar is actively remodeling.

Appearance changes. The scar may look worse before it looks better, becoming more red, firm, or slightly raised around the 4 to 8 week mark. This is normal and will gradually improve.

Scar management. Dr. Kaplan may recommend silicone scar sheets or gel to help the scar flatten and fade. Gentle scar massage can also help break down excess collagen and soften the tissue. For detailed scar management strategies, see our article on minimizing scars after Mohs surgery.

Sensation. Numbness and tingling continue to improve gradually. Full sensation may take 6 to 12 months to return, and in some cases there may be a small area of permanent reduced sensation.

Months 3 to 6: Continued Improvement

By three months, the most dramatic healing changes have occurred, but the scar continues to improve. The redness gradually transitions to pink, then progressively lightens toward your natural skin tone. Any firmness or elevation continues to soften. If a flap reconstruction was performed, the tissue continues to settle and blend with the surrounding skin, and any initial puffiness resolves during this period.

Months 6 to 12: The Final Result

For most patients, the scar reaches its near-final appearance between 6 and 12 months after surgery.

What to expect. The mature scar is typically a thin, pale line. In skilled hands, and with proper post-operative care, the scar is often barely noticeable to people who do not know it is there.

Continued sun protection. Even after the scar has fully matured, ongoing sun protection of the area is advisable. The new skin remains somewhat more vulnerable to UV damage than the surrounding tissue for an extended period.

Follow-up. Dr. Kaplan will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor both the cosmetic result and to check for any recurrence of skin cancer. These follow-up visits are an essential part of your care and should not be skipped.

Tips for Optimal Healing

Do not smoke. Smoking significantly impairs wound healing by reducing blood flow to the skin. If you smoke, this is an excellent reason to stop, at least during the recovery period.

Eat well. A diet rich in protein, vitamins C and A, and zinc supports tissue repair. Stay well-hydrated.

Follow instructions carefully. If anything seems unusual or you are concerned about your healing, contact Dr. Kaplan's office rather than waiting for your next appointment.

Be patient. The cosmetic result at one week is not the cosmetic result at one year. Scars take time to mature, and the final outcome is almost always significantly better than what you see in the early weeks. Trust the process, protect the area from the sun, and give your body the time it needs to heal.

If you are preparing for an upcoming procedure, our pre-surgery checklist provides practical guidance on what to do before surgery day.