What should you know about melanoma scar?

After melanoma is removed, the scar can be pink, darker or lighter than nearby skin, firm, itchy, tight, or numb. Texture and colour may gradually settle as healing continues. A raised edge can also reflect scar tissue, but appearance alone cannot reliably separate healing from recurrent melanoma.

A new lump, pigment returning within the scar, a spot beside it, persistent crusting, bleeding, increasing pain, or a change in firmness deserves review. The clinician may compare photographs, examine nearby lymph nodes, and decide whether a biopsy or further treatment is needed.

Keep the area clean and protected while it heals, follow the wound-care instructions you were given, and avoid scratching or applying unapproved creams. Use regular photographs to track change once the wound is closed. Arrange review with your treating team for any new or progressive feature.

Assessment may lead to surgical excision, skin cancer surgery, or another procedure. A sentinel lymph node biopsy may be relevant in selected melanoma cases. Follow-up after cancer treatment helps monitor the scar and other skin areas.

Get prompt advice for a wound that opens, pus, spreading redness, fever, uncontrolled bleeding, or rapidly increasing swelling. Seek urgent care for severe pain, new weakness, confusion, seizures, or a severe new headache. These symptoms need attention even when the scar itself looks familiar.

Ask how your scar should look during healing, which changes are expected for your procedure, whether a new lump needs sampling, and how often the scar and lymph-node areas should be checked. Ask how to protect the scar and whom to contact between appointments.