November Newsletter
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Mohs surgery is considered the gold standard for removal of many types of skin cancer.

This method spares the most amount of normal tissue and has the highest cure rates for many non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers. It’s the standard of care in non-melanoma skin cancers and is commonly used in the treatment of some melanomas.

It is minimally invasive and leaves patients highly satisfied with their cosmetic outcome. The procedure is named after Dr. Frederic E. Mohs, who developed the Mohs technique in 1938. However, the procedure has evolved over time, and the current technique uses fresh frozen tissue to give a “same-day” cure.


How Does Mohs Surgery Work?

In this outpatient procedure, the surgeon serves as both pathologist and reconstructionist. The surgeon first removes the clinically apparent tumor, then cuts out the base of the tumor and a very thin peripheral margin of skin (1-2 mm) around the tumor.

This thin layer of skin is processed and examined to see if the margins around the tumor are clear or if any tumor remains. If any tumor remains, the surgeon repeats the process to clear only the cancerous areas while leaving any normal skin.

Mohs’ effectiveness is due to its evaluation of 100% of the margins around a tumor. Most cancer recurrences from other treatment modalities come from tumors that were not completely removed. Even with other types of histopathologic evaluations typically done in the operating room by plastic and general surgeons with pathologists, only a small proportion of the margin is evaluated.

With the Mohs technique, surgeons, who are also the pathologists, see 100% of the area around the tumor histologically which allows them to clearly define irregular borders of the tumor and remove all affected areas. This dramatically lowers the likelihood the cancer will return.
What Cancers Are Treated By Mohs Surgery?

Mohs surgery is an effective way to treat tumors with extensions under the skin’s surface. It’s been found as a highly successful way to treat a variety of high-risk non-melanoma skin cancers such as:


What Should I Expect During Mohs Surgery?

Mohs surgery is an outpatient operation that usually only requires the use of local anesthesia. The duration of the surgery depends on the size of the tumor, the anatomic location, the aggressiveness of the tumor, the number of additional layers needing removal, and if reconstruction is needed.

Plan on reserving the day for your surgery, since it is difficult to know how long the surgery will last.

The surgeon will prep the area, remove the tumor, and then spend 15-60 minutes analyzing the tissue to see if any additional areas need to be removed. If so, they surgeon will remove additional areas and examine the tissue again.

This will continue until all cancer-affected areas are removed. If needed, the local anesthesia can be re-administered to keep you as comfortable as possible.
When you are cancer-free, the surgeon will reconstruct the area as necessary.

How Soon Will I Recover From Mohs Surgery?

Most patients recover quickly from Mohs surgery. After your procedure, you’ll receive specific verbal and written instructions about the days following your surgery.

Also, patients must limit physical activity to allow for maximum healing. This helps prevent a rise in blood pressure that can cause hematomas and restrict movements that can pop stitches.

Sutures can usually be removed from the head or neck within 5-7 days. Sutures on the trunk and extremities may remain for 2 weeks.

Aesthetic and functional recovery depends on the extent of your surgery and tumor. Most people are happy with their results within one month of their surgery, but full maturation of the aesthetic appearance may take up to a year.

Contact us for more information or to schedule your skin cancer screening.
National Healthy Skin Month
Have you ever wondered what products you really need for your skin?

When you’re faced with the variety of creams, medications, cleansers, toners, and makeup on the shelves, the choice can be overwhelming.

Knowing the active ingredient makes that decision easier. When you know your skincare ingredients, you can know what’s right for you. You’ll be able to decipher what’s okay to buy off the shelf, what you need to get from your doctor, and what difference it’ll make.
4 Skin Tips to Remember:

You may not realize it, but your skin reveals a lot about your overall health. This month makes you aware of what it takes to keep your skin healthy.

  1. Stay Stress Free
  2. Apply SPF, 365 Days
  3. Hydrate Daily
  4. Pay Attention to New or Changing Spots
On The Blog
7 Myths About Tanning
Most of the misconceptions about tanning involve a lack of understanding about what is happening when the body tans.

The truth is, tanning is a reaction to skin damage.

When the sun’s energy hits the DNA in your skin cells, it causes damage and triggers a chain of events.

Preventing Dry Hands
Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night because you feel a burning, stinging or itching sensation on your hands?

Or maybe you have chapping, cracking or fissures on your fingers or palms?

These kinds of skin conditions are caused by a number of things.

Events and News
Viviscal™ Natural Hair Growth Supplement
Viviscal Professional Supplements are a drug-free alternative to prescription treatments that help encourage healthy hair growth for men and women of all hair types.

Depending on the hair growth cycle, you can experience visible results in as little as three months. Address thinning hair and temporary hair loss with Viviscal Professional Supplements.