Getting Help From My Dermatologist

Posted on: 1 June 2016

The identification of a problematic mole can be a simple way to reduce your chances of developing dangerous skin cancer in the future. If your dermatologist has suggested that you have a suspicious mole removed, you may find yourself worrying about the amount of scarring the procedure will leave behind.

Here are three simple tips you can use to help reduce the amount of scarring you will experience after your mole removal.

1. Take the time to massage the area.

Once your dermatologists has removed a mole, you may find that massaging can help reduce the amount of scarring you experience. Gentle massage can increase blood flow to your incision, helping it to heal before collagen fibers have the chance to form scar tissue.

Start by gently massaging the skin to either side of your incision area in a circular motion with your fingertips. Be sure to use light pressure, as the area will likely be tender. As your incision continues to heal, you can begin massaging directly over the incision to help drain any lymph fluid that has accumulated during the healing process and is causing your incision to swell. Regular massage can be beneficial in helping to reduce the appearance of scar tissue.

2. Keep the area moisturized.

Applying a quality moisturizer to the area where you had a mole removed can be critical when it comes to reducing the amount of visible scarring you see after your incision has healed. Once the outer layer of the skin has been breached by your dermatologist's incision, the first phase of the body's natural healing process is to seal this layer to keep infection  

Using a moisturizer that contains aloe, licorice extract, or essential fatty acids can help the developing outer layer stay moisturized as it forms. This will help to reduce visible scarring after your mole removal.

3. Stay out of the sun.

If you want to minimize scarring after a mole removal, it's important that you plan to stay out of the sun after your procedure. Exposing skin that is in the healing process to the sun can cause a condition called hyperpigmentation, which will cause the newly formed skin to appear darker than the surrounding skin.

Keeping your incision covered, or wearing a sunblock product that contains a sun protection factor of at least 15, will help you keep the appearance of any scarring after you have a mole removed to a minimum.

Be sure that you utilize massage and moisturizers, and keep your incision out of the sun to reduce scarring after you have a suspicious mole removed. For more information, contact Northwest  Dermatology or a similar location.