Myself, husband and father have all had BCCs removed, we all spent a lot of time outdoors for work and pleasure, so probably was the cause.

Husband and father have had several BCCs removed, father two last week.

The surgeons are usually very good and try to hide the surgery as much as possible and will use a skin crease if they can.

im sure if you tell your surgeon about your concerns they will do their best to try and minimise the appearance. They also advise about aftercare to minimise the scarring, which is usually very small.

Hope you get sorted out soon

Hi JA60, thanks for sharing your experience. I’m glad it’s worked out well for you and your family. There’s been skin cancer in my family too, like yours probably linked to the sun - I grew up in a sunnier climate than the UK. Have any of you had Mohs surgery? That is potentially what I’m having for at least one of my areas.

Hi lou

Im pleased that your procedure is behind you and you are recovering well. Be assured that the healing will progress over the next year or two becoming less noticable. Did you get around to looking into the charity Changing Faces who can help. The most unusual and the most helpful tip that actually works I got from a cancer chat member was this. To aways look your best, keep hair tidy, nice makeup, close shave for men. Wear your best clothes smell nice. I think this not only makes you feel good in yourself but distracts others from noticing something you are self conscious of. For myself Im a bit scruffy being a farmer but do make an effort if Im out and about. Ive got an almost unnoticible scar on my nose from a skin graft 5 years ago but 3 very noticible 50mm+ scars on my forehead and scalp and a 25mm scar on my face. These have faded a bit with time. Wishing you a good recovery and a lovely Christmas.

Ed

Hi Lou, I’m sorry that things aren’t going as well this week, that you’re feeling self conscious. It is reassuring to hear that JA60’s family had good outcomes, seems awfully likely you will too, eventually. In what way do you feel the graft is noticeable, is it still a bit raised? 

Hi Ed, thanks for passing that on -  good advice for us all, I’m going to hang onto that til the time comes for my surgery. I bet you look very smart when you’re in town!

Hello Dawn

I know that you have surgery coming up soon and will face the anxiety that comes with waiting. The waiting is worse than the actual procedure, which will be quick and pain free and the Doctors and nurses will make you feel comfortable and put you at your ease. If you follow all their aftercare instructions it will be a success. Be sure to have plenty of rest in the days that follow and don't physically over exert yourself while the initial healing takes place. Eventually it will all be a distant memory and you can get on with your life. Have a lovely Christmas

Ed

Thank you for those kind words Ed. You have a great Christmas too

Hi Farmer_Ed thank you for your message. I’ve been setting my alarm earlier during the week so I can have time to get myself ready properly for work without rushing. I need to look into the Changing Faces charity as would like to buy some concealer to cover the purple/red skin graft area. I stupidly thought that I could use my original makeup but it just doesn’t do the job. Currently the area is very raised, I’ve been advised to massage it twice a day for 5 minutes with bio oil. Did this work for you? Or perhaps your graft wasn’t too raised in the first place. Not knowing anyone who has had the same procedure it’s hard to know whats normal and whats not. 
I really appreciate you sharing your experience, thank you. 

Hi Dawntreader yes, suddenly it’s become very red/purple and very raised. I’m feeling really embarrassed about how it looks at the moment. It’s on the end of my nose so it’s very noticeable, absolutely no way to hide or cover it. 
How are your biopsy areas? Hope they are healing nicely. 

Hello Lou

The colour will fade with time and the raised skin will level out a bit more but it will take months and will continue fading for one or two years. Keep up with the  oil and gentle massage, any moisturiser will do and keep the skin graft moisturised every day from now on. The full thickness graft on my nose is barely noticible now and is not raised but the split thickness skin grafts are like indented craters where the flesh under the skin was removed. I keep the scars moisturised all the time. I am self conscious of the scars and becuse of their size 50mm+ they do attract unwanted attention. Its not anything nasty but just human natures curiosity. I tend to avoid people and crowds and do my weekly shop late at night on a Wednesday. I often see another man shopping at the same time and day  and possibly for the same reason. He has had surgery to remove half his nose and has not had reconstruction or a prosthesis, My heart goes out to this guy and what he must feel when out and about. Its not easy and our more minor scarring is no less troubling. I dont know how to deal with this psychologically, some people just say they wear their scars with pride, but I've not been able to get to that point yet. Keep up with the moisuriser SPF50, avoid the sun and take your vitamin D3 supplement.

Ed

Hi Lou, I’m really sorry to hear things are getting tricky, I’m glad Farmer_Ed is here to give actual ‘been there done that’ advice. All I can do is send good wishes in your direction every day, and say I’m sure things will improve, though not as fast as you’d like.
My biopsy scars are tiny tbh - I’m still putting Vaseline on daily and covering with a plaster as per the hospital instructions but they’re fine. I suspect when I have the actual surgical scars they will be bigger … people say the visible lesion is sometimes the tip of the iceberg and they have to remove a lot more skin to get at everything underneath. But I won’t borrow trouble for now! 

Ed I’ve got so much admiration for the way you’re dealing with your cancers and feel sad to think of you kind of hiding away - I picture you out shopping on a Wednesday night with hair freshly cut and looking smart, as you described, and feel sure others are actually thinking ‘who is that fine looking gentleman?’ 

You mentioned vitamin D3, is that to replace the natural D because of staying out of the sun?

Ed I’ve got so much admiration for the way you’re dealing with your cancers and feel sad to think of you kind of hiding away - I picture you out shopping on a Wednesday night with hair freshly cut and looking smart, as you described, and feel sure others are actually thinking ‘who is that fine looking gentleman?’ 

You mentioned vitamin D3, is that to replace the natural D because of staying out of the sun?

Hi Dawn I dont know about 'fine looking gentleman' but thank you for your kind comment it has lifted my spirits. Yes its worthwhile taking a daily high dose 4000IU vitamin D3 tablet If you are keeping oit of the sun.  A years supply costs about £8 do check with your GP or the hospital that this is ok and will not react with any other medicine you may be taking. If you suffer with winter blues D3 can help. In the Scandinavian countries where there is little daylight in winter  everyone takes Vit D3 to help with mood.

Ed

Thank you Ed, that’s very useful to know. I will make sure I obtain D3, not just plain vitamin D. Worth it for the mood boosting effect as well as bone health. Look after yourself and be well. 

Hi Ed, just wanted to say I hope you had a good Christmas. I’ve seen some other posts of yours on the forum and know how many challenges you face. Wishing you well in 2026.

Thanks Dawn hope that the year ahead brings you lots of joy and wish you the strength to overcome your own challenges. 

Ed