Mohs Surgery in Draper, UT

What is Mohs Surgery?

Mohs surgery, also known as Mohs micrographic surgery, is a revolutionary technique used in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers including squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

What To Expect During Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery is typically performed by a dermatologist. During Mohs surgery, a thin layer of skin cells is removed and examined under a special microscope. If abnormal cells are detected in the sample, the process is repeated. Skin cell layers are examined, one layer at a time, until a layer of normal skin cells is found.

Benefits of Mohs Surgery

Because Mohs surgery is targeted precisely to remove abnormal skin cells, Mohs surgery offers several important advantages when compared to conventional skin surgery. Consider that Mohs surgery is:

• More comfortable, because treatment is less invasive and only requires local anesthetic
• More convenient, because treatment is performed in an outpatient setting
• More aesthetically pleasing, because only minimal tissue is removed, so there is less scarring
• More conservative, because only cancerous cells are removed, with healthy tissue remaining undamaged

Why Choose Mohs Surgery?

In addition to the benefits listed above, Mohs surgery offers a success rate that can’t be matched by conventional surgery. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, Mohs surgery boasts an impressive success rate of up to 99% of initial skin cancers and up to 94% of recurring skin cancers.

When To Visit Your Dermatologist About Mohs Surgery

You should visit your dermatologist to talk about Mohs surgery if you notice:

• Areas of red, scaly skin
• Open sores which don’t heal
• Large moles, with a diameter over 6 millimeters
• Asymmetrical or irregular moles
• Poorly-defined moles with ragged borders
• New moles, or moles that have regrown after previous removal
• Moles which have changed in size, shape, or color

How To Prevent Sun Damage and Skin Cancer

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

• Always wear sunscreen of at least SPF 30 daily
• Always wear a sunscreen SPF 50 if you are out in the sun for a long period
• Avoid tanning booths
• Try and avoid sun exposure between 10 AM and 2 PM, when UV rays are most harmful

Want To Know More About Mohs Surgery?

To discover more about Mohs surgery, call Dr. Angela Brimhall at Sage Dermatology & Mohs Surgery in Draper, UT. You can reach her in the office by calling (801) 882-9995, so call today.