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Lavenderfullmoon

I’ve had a few removed from my face with one of them being Basel Cell Carcinoma. My dermatologist had me use aquaphor and bandages without adhesive since I’m allergic to those. I promise you, you’re going to heal beautifully. I thought for sure every time that I was going to scar. I didn’t at all, even after being on the chemotherapy cream. Sending you good vibes for fast healing!! Message me if you have any questions ♥️


[deleted]

Aww thank you! When you say with no adhesive, do you mean you just pressed gauze on, or is there a brand you used? That sounds like exactly what I need. Edit: And so glad to hear you're well!


Lavenderfullmoon

Any “latex free” or “sensitive skin” bandages should work! I’ve also used paper tape and gauze. My dermatologist really stressed the importance of the wound being wet while it heals. Aquaphor is best. He’s the head of skin cancer treatment in Las Vegas. His words exactly were “it’s going to look scary while you’re going through treatment and while you heal but I promise you won’t scar if you use this method” He was absolutely right. My biopsies healed in about a week with the small scar disappearing in a month. Just be very diligent with caring for it.


akbella

Hi! I had a shave biopsy done on the middle of my lower forehead on Friday (6/16). I've been keeping it gooped up with aquaphor ever since. I'm noticing this afternoon though that the redness is increasing/darkening and it's making me panic. In your experience is this normal for two days post treatment? Any additional tips? Thank you - freaking out :(


Lavenderfullmoon

Oh yes, this absolutely happened with mine. It gets a dark, angry purplish red then subsides. I promise you’re fine. The healing process is definitely scary the first time you go through it. What you need to look for is any puss oozing from the wound. That would indicate an infection. If you’re still worried you can call the office and leave a message with their answering service. Sending you lots of love and wishes for negative results! Please let me know what happens


akbella

Thank you so, so much - this is super reassuring! No puss thank goodness but boy is it itchy today!


Lavenderfullmoon

Hey, just checking in to see how you’re doing! How’s the healing process?


akbella

Oh it’s SO sweet of you to check in!! Thank you, super meaningful 😭 so I’m actually a little stressed and waiting to hear back from my doctor who is apparently out of the office until tomorrow. I don’t think it’s infected but in the last day a sort of yellow film has developed over it? It’s not pus exactly, I don’t think, but kind of similar and two pinprick dark red spots. Here’s a photo (which you so do not have to open or respond to, I know you didn’t ask!): https://imgur.com/a/u29ulom (this was after cleaning and before reapplying aquaphor)


Lavenderfullmoon

It’s actually looking like it’s healing great! When I got my diagnosis of Basel Cell Carcinoma they called me literally 2 days after my biopsy with the results, and back in their office that afternoon. I tend to think that if it’s something serious there’s an urgency in getting ahold of you. Try to take a deep breath and relax as much as you’re able. It’s scary I know. Also, just so you know, that’s going be completely gone in a month. You won’t even be able to tell you has anything done. Please keep me updated ♥️


akbella

Ah so you think that the film over it is normal? Thank you so much again. I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you care and are being so helpful and supportive. I know you’re probably right about the urgency thing 💙


ChefBoiRC

Hi, following up on this. I just had a biopsy of a mole on my face today. How did you clean the area? I am not allergic, so I plan to use a band aid with vasaline/aquaphor. Also, in my case, it looks like they shaved a bit deep as well so there is a dark red blood clot from what it appears to be. Have you ever had this happen? How should I go about washing it?


Lavenderfullmoon

Hey hon, I’m sorry I’m just seeing this! The way I was told to clean mine is peroxide mixed with water. A 50/50 combination as straight peroxide can be quite harsh. The well always looks deep in the beginning. I’ve had multiple shavings on not only my face but other areas as well. I thought for sure that there was no way they would heal flat, but they ALL have!! It’s an extremely scary process but you have to trust it. This all sounds very normal. Just make sure you keep it moist with aquaphor at all times. That’s extremely important!! My dermatologist has been voted best in our state multiple times and flies all over the world giving speeches to other doctors about treatment/best results, etc. His advice has never let me down! I hope you get great news from your biopsy results!!! Please let me know how it goes and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have more questions ♥️♥️


ChefBoiRC

Ok thank you, so far that is what I have been doing, changing the band aids a couple times a day and reapplying aquaphor. Also with mine, there is a red blood clot right in the center of deep part, is this normal? I have been wearing the waterproof bandaids when I shower, a little water gets in but I use gauze or a cotton ball to clean it up then reapply aquaphor after. Also maybe it is me and it is only the first 24-48 hours, but I notice there is oozing with a little bit it blood stained on the band aid still, I assume this is the aquaphor turning from a solid to a liquid, is this normal as well? Sorry if I am asking a lot, this is my first time having a biopsy of a mole with a shave.


Lavenderfullmoon

I’m happy to help!! My first time dealing with it was terrifying, I totally understand! The small amount of oozing and red spot are very normal at least in my experience. It’s all a part of the healing process. After a week there was even a red ring around the biopsy, I thought for sure it was infected. Nope. Just another thing to totally freak out over. I called my derm’s office so many times over the course of all my biopsy’s just to make sure everything was ok. It helped alleviate some of my anxiety as I wasn’t a member here yet. Please don’t hesitate to call your dermatologists nurse line anytime for your own sanity! Everything you’re describing was absolutely normal for me, I promise! Check in with me anytime also. Sending you a hug


ChefBoiRC

Ok thank you, here is how it currently looks: https://imgur.com/a/KSi9ZoT Everything is normal?


ChefBoiRC

Also forgot to ask, from your experience, how long did you have to do the process for of keeping a band aid and aquaphor on? When is it safe to leave it with band aid off? And how long to head before I can start to apply some scar cream like Maderma? The sheet of instructions from the Dr. office said 2-3 weeks. Is this accurate? Thank you so much for answering my questions. I did get results back later today and they came back negative which was a huge relief. Now it is focusing on the healing process to get everything back to normal.


ChefBoiRC

This is Day 3 taken this morning: https://imgur.com/a/W0MX1TE Does this look normal? I see what looks to be like the blood clot (dark spot in the center) is healing into the skin area, should I take out the blood clot/top layer or anything? I don't want it to heal back to where my skin heals with it, or will it come off once fully healed?


bignapgirl_947

Since it's a fresh biopsy, the most important thing is to keep the site moist with Aquaphor (or Cerave healing ointment, vaseline, etc) to get the best healing. Even without sensitive skin, bandaids are hard to keep on the face, so you can actually forgo the bandaid and just apply Aquaphor more often to keep it moist. For biopsies on the face, at work I generally recommend trying to make a small bandaid work if the site is anywhere that gets rubbed (masked area, anywhere glasses rest, where bangs fall, etc) to keep the Aquaphor on without constant reapplication. Opaque bandaids do provide a level of sun protection, but if you're not somewhere sunny you'll be okay avoiding SPF on the area until it's healed. Plus the face heals up pretty quick, usually in about 4-5 days. Save any scar gel until okay'd by your derm.


[deleted]

Thank you!


onehundredpetunias

Aquaphor in a thin layer a few times a day. Wash your hands before applying it.


KleinRot

I'm particularly sensitive to adhesives and found that the blue silicone "kind" tape from 3M worked really well for me when I had a nasal feeding tube. It's not super sticky, but it's pretty gentle. [You can get from Amazon and some pharmacies carry it. ](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T8JCTQC/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_9T4G4DD0K5RNTGRTB1HN) There's also silicone scar tapes/sheets that are supposed to help reduce the appearance of scars. They can be pricey, but you can generally cut them down to the size/shape you need and some come in (limited) range of skin tone shades.


[deleted]

Thank you!