October 26, 2026

Mohs surgery removes skin cancer one thin layer at a time, and for a skin cancer that has not been treated before, the Skin Cancer Foundation puts the cure rate at up to 99%. Once the cancer is out, the next question is how healing will go. For most people, Mohs surgery recovery is mostly rest and simple wound care, according to the American College of Mohs Surgery.

What that looks like depends on the size and location of the wound and how your surgeon closes it. This guide covers the day of surgery, the first 48 hours, daily wound care, when you can exercise again and how the scar changes over the following year.

What to expect on the day of Mohs surgery

Mohs surgery is done in an office or outpatient clinic under local anesthesia, so you stay awake. The surgeon removes a thin layer of tissue and checks its edges under a microscope while you wait. StatPearls describes each stage of Mohs surgery as taking about 15 to 30 minutes to process, with a median of about 1.7 stages per tumor.

Plan to be there for several hours. The Skin Cancer Foundation's guide to what to expect with Mohs suggests bringing something to read, eating a normal breakfast and asking someone to come with you. Your surgeon may ask you to pause some medicines that raise bleeding risk, but never stop a prescribed blood thinner unless your doctor tells you to. If the wait makes you anxious, these tips for managing surgery anxiety can help.

How the wound is closed shapes your Mohs surgery recovery

Once the margins are clear, your surgeon decides how to repair the wound. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the options are:

• Letting the wound heal on its own
• Closing it with stitches
• Covering it with a skin flap or graft

Most of the time the Mohs surgeon does the repair the same day. Larger or more delicate repairs may involve a plastic, oculoplastic or hand surgeon, and a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon may handle some repairs on the face.

A wound left to heal on its own takes more daily care. Roswell Park's guide to care after Mohs surgery says these wounds drain for the first one to two weeks and need a daily bandage change for three to six weeks.

The first 48 hours

The first two days of Mohs surgery recovery are about protecting the wound. Expect to go home with a pressure bandage. Nebraska Medicine's Mohs aftercare plan says to leave it on for 48 hours and keep the area clean and dry. Swelling usually peaks at about 48 hours and eases over the next week. Bruising is common, especially near the eyes.

A few steps help:

• Sleep with your head raised if the surgery was on your face or head
• Use an ice pack around the edges of the bandage if your surgeon allows it
• If the wound bleeds, press firmly for 20 minutes by the clock without lifting the bandage

Pain is usually mild. The Skin Cancer Foundation says pain after skin surgery can almost always be controlled with non-narcotic pain relievers. Advice on which one differs: some programs suggest acetaminophen or ibuprofen, while Roswell Park asks patients to avoid aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. Follow your surgeon's instructions.

Daily wound care after the bandage comes off

After the first 48 hours, Mohs surgery recovery turns into a simple daily routine. Nebraska Medicine's instructions are typical:

• Wash the wound gently with mild soap and water, using your hands
• Pat it dry with a clean towel
• Apply a thick layer of petroleum-based ointment to prevent scabbing
• Cover it with non-stick gauze

Skip washcloths and sponges, and do not pick at the wound. Stitches come out at a follow-up visit your surgeon schedules. Keep that appointment, since stitches left in too long can leave marks. Instructions vary between practices, so use the sheet your surgeon gives you.

Mohs surgery recovery time: activity, exercise and work

Rest and wound care fill the first couple of days. When you can exercise again is where sources differ. The Skin Cancer Foundation says to avoid strenuous work or exercise for at least 24 to 48 hours. Nebraska Medicine advises avoiding intense activity for one week after the first two days.

Roswell Park is more cautious. It advises no bending, heavy lifting or strenuous activity for one week, and no aerobic exercise or weight lifting for two weeks. It also asks patients to avoid alcohol for 48 hours after surgery. Your surgeon will tell you which timeline fits your repair, since a flap or graft may need more time than a small closed wound.

Scars, numbness and sun protection

Mohs surgery recovery does not end when the stitches come out. Your scar will keep changing for months. The American College of Mohs Surgery notes that full healing can take up to a year, with the scar flattening and lightening over that time. Roswell Park suggests waiting 12 months before considering scar revision. Numbness around the site may last several months to a year, and in some cases it is permanent.

Sun protection helps the scar fade. Nebraska Medicine advises avoiding sun on the area for two to three months and using SPF 30 or higher daily. Once the wound has fully healed, it suggests a silicone-based scar cream.

When to call your surgeon

Most Mohs surgery recovery goes smoothly, but call your surgeon's office if you notice:

• Thick or foul-smelling drainage, which can be a sign of infection
• Very red, itchy skin around the bandage, which may be an allergy to the ointment or tape
• Bleeding that does not stop after 40 minutes of total pressure
• A wound that opens up or swelling that gets worse

Ask before you leave on surgery day who to call after hours.

Keep up with skin checks after you heal

A smooth Mohs surgery recovery is the first step. After skin cancer surgery, Roswell Park advises a skin exam by a physician at least once a year and a monthly self-check. Learn the early signs of actinic keratosis, and read how Mohs compares with excisional surgery if you are still weighing options. When you are ready for a consultation or follow-up, find a dermatologist near you.