Basal cell carcinoma scar healing in hair

Hello ch47, welcome to another adventure on Connect. There is no getting away from removal of the basil cell other than cutting it off. Sorry it’s on the very top but then again there really isn’t a good place to have it.
Maybe someone has an idea to cover it up. Me I wear my scars like badges of life and what ever people might think, who are they to judge. Good luck.

Right? Another adventure and I’m not finished with all the rest on MCC…
Thanks for sharing your courage…maybe girls aren’t as brave when it comes to hair 🤣
I had a chunk of my scalp removed from the back of my head about 10 years ago, BCC in an entire birth mark than ran down the back of my head. Unpleasant experience, 2x4” vertical section of scalp removed (under anesthesia) and had miserable headaches for two months as my scalp got used to it’s new location(s) also took about 4 months to heal completely, probably because I can’t sleep on my stomach.
Easy enough to cover the scar with a ponytail.
I am not expecting this surgery to be as extensive, but I’m not sure I have enough hair to have a ponytail in the back as well as one on top…😂
Pebbles?
Was hoping someone had some experience/information about possible scar coverage or hair regrowth for that area.
Thanks!

Hi @ch47, I'm tagging fellow members who have had cancer (basal cell, squamous cell or melanoma) removed from their scalp such as @cam108, @gaybinator @birdman518, @dankay36 @joanski @marye2 and @sylviapf. I'm hoping some of them can share their experiences with surgical closure options vs leaving open and the healing process.

I can understand your concerns about damage to the hair follicles and having a bald spot on the top of your head. Were you able to go through all the pros and cons of wound closure with your surgeon and the likely healing results?

I wonder who you might talk to about tatoo or cosmetic hair covering options. Many cancer centers have wig and head covering shops for people going through hair loss due to chemo. I might stop by and talk to the people there about both creative hair and head covering stylings and where you might get more information.

I can't answer this. I was bald before, but now I have a 2-inch diameter circular hole in my scalp. It was too large to pull together, especially because there is so little extra skin directly on your scalp.
I doubt if this helps you, but presumably others out there may want to see what I laughingly call "the grim reality".

Thank you for sharing…my first surgery 10 years ago on the back of my head had to be stitched/stapled. 2x4”. Not Mohs. Or at least not awake Mohs. Took forever to heal and months of headaches as my scalp readjusted.
Since I have hair, I am able to cover that scar.

Will see what I wind up with…
Needs to be done. I’ve had 3 months to think about it, last time was scheduled kinda quick. I’m not sure what’s better 🤣

Thanks again!

Colleen, thank you for reaching out to others for their experiences. I bought some bandannas and will keep looking for some fall hats. Live in SC, so not so many cute hats for fall/winter. Online I guess.
Surgeon went through issues with stitches/staples and talked about scarring and damaging more hair follicles around scar. But would a scar be smaller than a hole?
Since I will be awake this time, I guess that I can make decision at the end. Someone suggested asking her what she would do for herself-she’s young and pretty-but she has tons of hair 🤣
There is a funky fun wig shop near, but not sure they cater to cancer hair loss, but will try to get in there before. Or after.
Hoping to hear from my fellow
BCC friends about their scalp experience
ch47

My left eyebrow is one-third gone due to a MOHS surgery for basal cell skin cancer two years ago, that was located right in the brow line. I thought it might rejuvenate, but it did not.

My simple thought is, "I have earned every gray hair and scar". Lots of scars from skin cancer surgeries, lots of gray hair. They are testaments to what I have gone through, and remind me of how brave I have been.
Ginger

Ginger,
Thank you for the encouragement to accept. I’m all grey and truly earned each one…
Hah! All the things I have that hurt and interfere with my life and I’m stressing about a bald spot???
The surgeon was on maternity leave and I had to wait 3 months…I think just too much time to think about it.
Thank you again

Thanks, I can always use a hug!
Surgery on Tuesday and they called and said don’t make any plans or do any big moving around for 4-5 days after…😱

🥴

@ch47, how are you doing?