Mohs Surgery: What to Expect?

Our dermatologist uses all of the latest tools and techniques to help you enjoy beautiful, healthy skin. One of those techniques is Mohs micrographic surgery, used for diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer and other skin conditions. Dr. Barry Kuttner and Dr. Kathleen Herne at Integrated Dermatology of West Palm Beach, in West Palm Beach, FL, provide comprehensive medical and cosmetic dermatology services, including Mohs surgery.

What You Need To Know About Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery uses a unique proprietary technique in which layers of skin are removed one layer at a time and examined under a microscope. The tissue is examined for abnormal, precancerous, or cancerous skin cells. Mohs surgery offers some important benefits. Consider that Mohs surgery is:

• Highly effective, boasting a cure rate of 99% for initial cases, and 94% for recurrent skin cancer cases, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation
• More comfortable, with treatment typically requiring only local anesthetic
• Aesthetically pleasing, because Mohs surgery removes only the targeted tissue, not the surrounding area, so there is minimal to no scarring
• Convenient, because Mohs surgery is performed on an outpatient basis requiring no hospital stay

Remember that you can do a lot to prevent skin cancer. You should:

• Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 for everyday use
• Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50 if you spend a lot of time outside, have fair skin, or burn easily
• Wear protective clothing, including a hat and sunglasses
• Try to avoid direct sunlight during the hours of 10 AM to 2 PM, when UV rays are the most damaging

Want To Know More?

To find out more about Mohs surgery and how it can help you, call Dr. Barry Kuttner and Dr. Kathleen Herne at Integrated Dermatology of West Palm Beach, in West Palm Beach, FL. You can reach them in the office by calling (561) 964-6664. Protect your skin by calling today.