Covering Your Facial Scar After Skin Cancer Surgery
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, with over 3 million Americans diagnosed every year. Common types of skin cancer are basal or squamous cell cancers, which affect the outer layer of your skin's cells of the same names. These cancers are typically caused by sun exposure and affect the face, ears, neck, and other exposed areas. If you have to have skin cancer surgery to remove the cancerous skin cells, you can be left with unsightly scarring and uneven-looking skin that you may feel self-conscious about. Here are ways you can cover your facial scar after skin cancer surgery so you can feel more confident.
Laser
If your scar is very rugged or has a lot of tissue (common in scars on or near the nose), then you may want to have the scar treated with laser therapy to break down the excess skin tissue and create a more even appearance. This is something you can discuss with your dermatologist when you have your skin evaluated after surgery. Some fair or sensitive-skinned patients may not respond to laser therapy well, and darker skin, which has more pigmentation, can take many treatments to be successful. The sooner you treat new facial scarring with laser therapy, the better your results can be.
Keeping the scar soft and flexible will help it heal as well. Place lavender, Vitamin E, or almond oil on your scar daily to help keep it supple.
Cosmetics
If your scar is a darker color than the rest of your skin and you want to even out your skin tone, cosmetics can help. Whether you are male or female, you can use a concealer to hide your blemish as it fades on its own. It's recommended to use a concealer in a stick (the formula is thicker and more durable) that is a shade lighter than your actual scar to help reduce its tone and make it blend well with your skin. You can also use a covering cream designed specifically for scars, veins, and even tattoos to hide your blemish as it heals.
It's important to keep your scar out of the sun while it heals, as the sun will make your facial scar even darker. Even if you are wearing sunscreen (which you should wear to help prevent future skin cancer scares), try to wear a hat or visor when out in the sun to protect your face.
You want to take care of your skin after you have skin cancer surgery, and you want to feel attractive while doing so. Use these tips to cover your facial scar until it heals completely so you can feel better about your skin. Depending on the severity of your condition, your scar may heal to where it is almost unnoticeable with time.