After electrolysis, be sure to avoid using makeup, soap and perfume on the treated areas for 24 hours. This can cause an irritation or infection of the treated area as the follicles are still open. Wash the face with tepid water only. Also, cleanse the skin with a cotton pad saturated with alcohol or an astringent such as Sea Breeze.
How long does it take to heal from an ed&c procedure?
Healing time can be a downside of ED&C, with 2-3 weeks often required to heal if ED&C is performed on the chest or back and much longer healing time required on the lower extremities.
What are the side effects of ed&c?
Depending on the body area, scarring with ED&C can be a downside. An ED&C leaves a cigarette or cigar-shaped circular scar that is typically hypopigmented (lighter in color) than surrounding skin. Sometimes the scar becomes thick and can be itchy or painful.
Is ed&c a good option for cancer treatment?
For that reason, ED&C is typically only used for cancers that have very little chance of spreading to other parts of the body and which can be safely cut out later if they recur. Depending on the body area, scarring with ED&C can be a downside.
Will my skin ever look normal after Efudex treatment?
If you are using Efudex now or gearing up to start treatment, you will soon realize that the area following treatment is nothing like it was when you started. Healing after Efudex can be hard! You may, in fact, wonder if your skin will ever look normal again.
How long does it take to heal after curettage?
The wound may take 3 to 6 weeks to heal. How long it takes depends on the size of the area treated. Good wound care may help the scar fade with time.
How long does Electrodesiccation take to heal?
A wound from Electrodesiccation and Curettage (ED&C) typically takes 2-3 weeks to heal. If the treatment is performed on the lower extremities, the wound can take 2-3 months to fully heal. ED&C may be performed more than once if additional cancerous cells present themselves in the same area.
What should I do after Electrodessication?
Gently wash the area with a wash cloth or gauze once a day. Let the area dry. - Apply Vaseline® or Aquaphor® to the area once or twice a day (it is important to keep the wound moist). Cover the wound with a piece of gauze and tape.
How do you heal cauterized skin?
Treat the area as though it were a burn:Keep the wound and dressing completely dry for 48 hours.After 48 hours you may remove the dressing and wash the area with soap and water gently but do not soak in a bath.Do not use a strong shower jet directly to the area.After wetting pat dry – do not rub.More items...
Does Electrodessication leave a scar?
Recovery from curettage and electrodesiccation The affected area will take up to six weeks to heal and will leave a scar. Scars are typically flat and round.
Does Electrodessication cause scarring?
Electrodessication is a very safe procedure and serious complications are extremely rare. Discomfort associated with the procedure is temporary and scabs that form where the growth had been usually heal within three weeks. Scarring and permanent skin discoloration are very uncommon.
What do you put on cauterized skin?
In general, apply a thin layer of Petrolatum ointment (such as Aquaphor Healing Ointment, petroleum jelly, vaseline) to the area, again, being careful not to disturb the crust. 4. Dressings are not needed; the vaseline acts as a "sealant"- keeping the crust moist so that the new skin will heal more quickly.
How long does it take for a basal cell carcinoma to heal?
The site of treatment often takes a month or two to heal.
How do you treat a wound after basal cell removal?
Wash around the wound with clean water 2 times a day. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the wound with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.
Can I wash my face after cautery?
Wash gently with gentle cleanser to clean the face, and if any makeup remains on the scabs, it is best to leave it. The scabs will fall off on their own when they are ready, typically within 1-2 weeks.
How long does it take for skin to heal on face?
Scrapes on the head or face may appear worse than they are. They may bleed a lot because of the good blood supply to this area. Most scrapes heal well and may not need a bandage. They usually heal within 3 to 7 days.
How long does it take for skin to grow back?
In babies, the skin renews itself every 14 days. In teenagers, this process takes about 28 days. In adults, it takes between 28 and 42 days. In those age 50 and older, the skin renewal process can take up to 84 days.
What is the treatment for skin cancer?
If you've been diagnosed with a skin cancer, your physician may have presented you with various treatment options, such as skin cancer excision, Mohs micrographic surgery, cryotherapy, and electrodesiccation and curettage (abbreviated as ED&C, EDC or ED+C). For certain types of skin cancers, the electrodesiccation and curettage may be selected.
What is electrodesication and curettage?
Electrodesiccation and curettage are a procedure performed in the office setting by dermatologists and other physicians for treatment of pre-cancers and skin cancers. The procedure consists of scraping and "burning" away from the unwanted growth. This procedure is often used for thin, well-defined cancers which are also relatively small in ...
How is electrodesiccation done?
How the Electrodesiccation and Curettage Procedure Is Performed. First, your surgeon will use a sharp curette to scrape the tumor. There is a textural difference between cancer and the normal skin which helps guide your surgeon in terms of the extent of scraping. 3 Next, a device with a needle-like metal tip is used to dry out ...
How long does a wound stay in place after a stent removal?
After the procedure, you will have a depressed wound. The wound is often covered with an ointment and covered with a bandage which will stay in place for 24-48 hours depending on your surgeon’s recommendation.
Can lidocaine be injected into the skin?
This should be the only time you feel pain. Most commonly, lidocaine with or without epinephrine is injected directly into the skin. Let your surgeon know if you have ever had a bad reaction to numbing medication. 2 .
Can skin cancer return after surgery?
Skin cancers can return even after this procedure. 5 Regardless, you should continue regular skin exams with your physician as surveillance for skin cancer.
How to reduce side effects of radiation?
You can reduce the risk of side effects by following these tips: Wash the treated skin gently every day with warm water. Washing helps remove bacteria from your skin, which can cause an infection.
How to avoid skin irritation from radiation?
To avoid irritating your skin, skip the washclothes, sponges, and loofahs. Instead, use your hands to gently splash water on the treated skin.
How to protect skin from radiation?
During radiation therapy: Be gentle and protect your skin. You want to start doing the following on the day you begin radiation therapy and continue until you’ve stopped radiation and your skin feels normal. Bathing and shaving: Skin can become very sensitive during radiation therapy.
How to clean your face with low pH?
If not, ask. When using a cleanser, gently apply it with your hands and rinse it off with warm water. Again, you don’t want to use a washcloth or sponge, which can irritate your skin.
How long after radiation treatment do you have side effects?
Some side effects occur weeks, months, or years after your last radiation treatment. This can happen even if you had no side effects during treatment. To catch these side effects early, dermatologists recommend the following: Watch your treated skin for signs of change.
What to do if you don't remember sunscreen?
Your care team will recommend skin care products that you can use, including sunscreen. If you don’t remember getting a recommendation for sunscreen, ask someone on your care team which sunscreen you should use. Seek shade when outdoors.
What to do if you have a rash after radiation?
Watch your treated skin for signs of change. After treatment, it’s important to pay close attention to the skin that was treated with radiation therapy. If you see redness, a rash, or any other change, call your oncologist or dermatologist.
What is the curettage and electrodesiccation procedure?
Curettage and electrodesiccation is also used for patients who have a precancerous skin condition called actinic keratosis. Because some of these patients will eventually develop squamous cell carcinoma, your doctor may recommend a curettage and electrodesiccation to remove the precancerous cells.
What is a curettage and desiccation?
A curettage and electrodesiccation, also known as a curettage and desiccation, is a skin cancer treatment used to remove basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. During the procedure, your doctor will scrape the affected skin surface with a curette (a spoon-shaped instrument). After successfully removing the cancerous tissue, ...
How many times do you have to bandage a cancerous wound?
Your doctor will scrape the cancerous cells and then burn the area. Depending on how deep the cells are, your doctor may repeat these steps two to three times. When the area has been cleaned, your doctor will bandage the wound.
Can you drive home after a curettage?
You will be able to drive yourself home after a curettage and electrodesiccation procedure. Before you leave the office, your doctor will give you detailed instructions on how to care for your wound. It is important to follow these instructions to prevent infection.
Can you use a curettage on a hair follicle?
This procedure can produce a nasty scar, so it is most commonly used on the trunk and other areas of the body where the scars aren’t as easily seen. If cancer has developed in the hair follicle, a curettage and electrodesiccation may not be effective in removing the tumor.
Healing after Efudex: your tender, new skin
If you are using Efudex now or gearing up to start treatment, you will soon realize that the area following treatment is nothing like it was when you started. Healing after Efudex can be hard! You may, in fact, wonder if your skin will ever look normal again.
I've finished my Efudex treatment. What's next?
Your doctor may or may not address the next steps with you. From discussions I have had with friends and other skin cancer patients, it seems we all receive varying levels of advice for healing after Efudex.
Your skin after healing from Efudex is fragile!
Keep in mind, redness will likely persist, and you may want to baby that area for a good while. Healing after Efudex can be emotional, difficult, confusing, frustrating, and uncomfortable. When in doubt, give your doctor a call. Your medical providers can answer questions that arise post-treatment.
Emily Hayward's Story: Changing the Way We Look at Skin Cancer
This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The SkinCancer.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.
What to do for redness after laser?
Some swelling and redness are common after laser treatments, particularly after ablative treatments that affect the outer layers of skin. Cold compresses and ice packs can help to bring down swelling and minimize redness. They can also feel soothing to irritated skin.
How to clean your face after laser treatment?
During the first few days after laser treatment, your surgeon might recommend washing your facial skin with saline or with a very dilute vinegar solution. If you usually use a cleanser with acids or other harsh ingredients, you’ll want to hold off on using it until you get the “go ahead” from your doctor.
How to prevent dark spots after laser?
Stay Out of the Sun. Right after a laser treatment, your skin is going to be very sensitive. Any damage from the sun’s UV rays is likely to be even worse than it normally would be. To reduce the risk of causing discomfort, dark spots and other forms of sun damage, it’s very important that you minimize the time you spend out in ...
How to reduce swelling after laser?
Keep Your Head Up. Sleeping with your head elevated can help to reduce swelling after a laser treatment. You might to try propping yourself up with pillows in the bed and sleeping on your back for a few weeks. During the day, try to avoid bending forward or lowering your head down below the level of your heart.
Can you use petroleum jelly after laser?
Your surgeon will most likely recommend a particular type of moisturizer for you to use after a laser treatment. It’s common for people to apply petroleum jelly to the skin after an ablative treatment, such as Fraxel re:pair.
Can you use makeup after laser treatment?
You might be tempted to cover up that redness or to minimize the appearance of flakes and scabs using foundation or other types of makeup. Like other skincare products, however, makeup can irritate your healing skin. It’s better to wait a few weeks until the skin has had a chance to fully heal.
How long does it take for dark spots to go away?
The darkened areas on the face will typically shed in about seven to ten days, but the body does take much longer to purge these dark spots–as long as four to six weeks. DON’T scratch or pick the darkened areas. This is always tempting, but you risk hypopigmentation if you try to pick at the darkened areas too soon.
How long after a brown spot removal can you take a bath?
DON’T take super hot showers or baths for 48-hours after treatment. DON’T expose yourself to the sun without protection for at least 4-6 weeks, although we would recommend trying to stay protected in the sun all the time, since you have just spent the money to have your brown spots removed.
What is IPL aftercare?
IPL Aftercare Advice from PhotoFacial Professionals. Intense pulsed light therapy, or PhotoFacial, is a great treatment to help with uneven pigmentation due to sun damage or benign brown spots, redness due to rosacea, uneven texture, large pores, facial vessels, skin tone and laxity. However, in order for your IPL PhotoFacial to yield ...
What is the best skincare routine for morning?
Example of a great morning skincare routine: Cleanse and then use your preferred Vitamin C product in the morning followed by a moisturizer such as SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal. Vitamin C will further help to lighten pigmentation and tightened the skin. Follow the vitamin c with a good moisturizer and SPF.
What serum should I use for brown spots?
Once all of the brown spots have shed, you can resume your normal skincare regimen, but we would recommend adding a medical grade Vitamin C serum to your regimen in the morning. Our Vitamin C recommendations: Skinceutical-CE Ferulic; Obagi C Clarifying Serum or iS Clincal Pro Heal Serum.
How long does it take for a sunburn to go away?
Keep in mind that having a mild sunburn sensation is normal for the first couple of hours after treatment, but some people report having this feeling for as long as a couple of days post treatment.
Does SPF help with dry skin?
And use an SPF. Your skin can feel drier than usual following treatment, and it’s not uncommon to have some redness/irritation afterward. Keeping your skin well hydrated will help to prevent any itching caused by dryness. While many think that hydrating the skin will prolong the shedding process, that is not the case.
How to stop itchiness after laser resurfacing?
Chemical exfoliants, like glycolic acid-laced peels and fruit enzymes (even the most gentle!). Straying away from these is a great way to stop itchiness after laser resurfacing. Scented lotions, cleansers, and serums because they can also cause redness and irritation. UV exposure at least one week after treatment.
How long does it take to recover from fractional C02?
That means your recovery time will be much faster than other treatments, including Fractional C02 treatments. In fact, recovery may only take a week.4.
What is facial laser therapy?
Here’s a quick rundown of the main types of facial laser therapies you may be considering: Laser Hair Removal – This process uses a laser to damage hair follicles and delays unwanted hair growth in certain areas. It often takes several laser appointments to maintain the desired results.1.
How many nonablative treatments are needed for laser?
However, the deeper the laser goes, the more results you’ll see. For example, it would take between 4-6 non-ablative treatments to achieve the same results as just 1-2 ablative procedures. So even though you’ll need more downtime, you’ll need fewer treatments.
How long before IPL should I prep my face?
Whether you’re going in for an IPL treatment or laser skin resurfacing procedure, you should never overlook the importance of prepping your face a few weeks before walking into your doctor’s office.
Is ablative laser more downtime?
Because this treatment uses ablative lasers, it requires more downtime than a non-ablative laser. However, you’ll need fewer treatments to see results. Non-Ablative Fractional Lasers – The power of a fractional laser with a fraction of the downtime!
Does non-ablative skin treatment cause wounds?
Non-Ablative – This procedure does not create wounds on the skin's surface. Instead, it simply heats problem areas beneath the surface to promote collagen growth for improved skin texture and tone. While this method takes more treatments to make an impact on your skin goals, it does boast faster recovery times.
How long does a stinging sensation last?
This sensation may last only momentarily, or may last for several hours depending on the thickness and depth of the growth. Stinging sensations may also linger if several growths are treated in a localized area. Discomfort can be minimized with over the counter pain relievers.
Can cryosurgery cause redness?
The risk of infection after cryosurgery is extremely low. Infection would cause pain, swelling, and redness in the treated area. The blister may fill with thick yellow fluid, or a discharge may seep from the growth. If this occurs, contact our office. With treatment, infection can be cleared up quickly.
Can a scab heal under a dressing?
The treated growth should be kept dry, and it may heal better under a dressing if located in an area that may rub against clothing. It is important that the scab be left alone, no picking. As the scab dries, Vaseline may be applied. The risk of infection after cryosurgery is extremely low.
What is the treatment for basal cell carcinoma?
Surgery. Different types of surgery can be used to treat basal cell cancers. Curettage and electrodesiccation: This is a common treatment for small basal cell carcinomas. It might need to be repeated to help make sure all of the cancer has been removed.
What is the procedure to remove basal cell carcinoma?
Excision: Excision (cutting the tumor out) is often used to remove basal cell carcinomas, along with a margin of normal skin. Mohs surgery: Mohs surgery is especially useful in treating cancers that are at higher risk for coming back, such as large tumors, tumors where the edges are not well-defined, tumors in certain locations ...
Can cryotherapy be used on the ears?
Cryotherapy (cryosurgery) can be used for some small basal cell carcinomas, but it’s not usually recommended for larger tumors or those on certain parts of the nose, ears, eyelids, scalp, or legs. Cryotherapy can also be used to treat large tumors in one treatment session to relieve symptoms from the cancer. The site of treatment often takes ...
Can radiation therapy be used after surgery?
Radiation is also sometimes used after surgery if it’s not clear that all of the cancer has been removed.
Can basal cell cancer be cured?
In rare cases where basal cell cancer spreads to other parts of the body or can’t be cured with surgery or radiation therapy, a targeted drug such as vismodegib (Erivedge) or sonidegib (Odomzo) can often shrink or slow its growth.