This story includes images of a sutured wound.
We all know that the Kardashians are masters of controlling how they're seen. In addition to top-notch hairstyling, makeup artistry, and physical training, the photos and videos they share are angled and edited to convey a fine-tuned image. But Khloé Kardashian is forgoing filters to share the intense impact her 2022 skin cancer experience had on her face and encourage others to keep an eye on their own skin.
As you may recall, Kardashian revealed last October that she'd had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor — specifically melanoma — from her cheek. She shared a photo of the small bump she had thought was a stubborn zit and explained to fans why she had been wearing a bandage on the side of her face for a while to keep the wound protected as it healed. But it wasn't until now that she went into further detail about that healing process.
Kardashian posted a series of slides to her Instagram Stories starting with a photo of her posing with the team at 7Q Spa, a medspa in Los Angeles, and a caption explaining that they've been "helping me with my indention on my cheek from the tumor I had removed," and that "it will always be something we have to fill due to the mass."
Before revealing just how big the wound and consequent dent were, Kardashian reminded fans that she went to plastic surgeon Garth Fisher, MD, in order to not only remove the cancer but also so "such a fucking stellar job on making my scar as small and beautiful as possible." She also reminded viewers of the size of the bandage she wore, explaining it was necessary to "avoid keloiding as much as possible." (Keloids are an overgrowth of scar tissue.)
She then showed just how dramatic the resulting dent was. "I am definitely not complaining because I would rather have an indention than melanoma any day. I am so incredibly grateful to all the doctors who helped and continue to help me with my skin cancer journey," she wrote, then explaining that she waited nine months before she started getting filler — she did not say which — to help reshape the area. "Patience is everything and of course we have to make sure medically everything is all safe."
The before-and-after images she shared post-injection are undeniably remarkable, and it's easy to understand why Kardashian is so grateful for the results. And she's paying it forward by reminding everyone to be diligent about their own skin.
"I encourage everyone to reach out to their dermatologist and get yearly (or more like me) skin cancer checks. One check can save your life," she wrote, saying that even if you think it's nothing, it couldn't hurt to get checked. "I for one could not have imagined that that little speck on my face was melanoma."
She went on to remind followers that paying attention to changes in our skin, no matter how small, is important. "Don't ever feel embarrassed or like you're making a big deal about nothing, or that you're being paranoid. There is no such thing as being too careful."
More important info about skin cancer:
- A Visual Guide to Skin Cancer
- Hugh Jackman Opened Up About His Basal Cell Carcinomas as a Warning to Others
- Does Skin Cancer Itch?
Now watch Becky G break down her most iconic music videos:
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