Skin conditions are highly prevalent in the US. Some can be treated with homeremedies and nonsurgical approaches, while others that fail to respond to conservative treatments may require surgery from a dermatologist.
A dermatologist is a medical doctor who receives advanced education and training in providing the diagnosis and treatment (surgical and nonsurgical) of medically necessary and cosmetic conditions of the skin, nails, hair, and other tissues.
Let’s talk about some common procedures performed by a surgical dermatologist and where you can go to see the best Mohs surgeon in Miami, FL.
Skin Biopsy
We cannot stress this enough – monthly self-examination and annual skin examination from a dermatologist are the best ways to protect yourself from the most prevalent cancer: skin cancer. Such can help you, and your dermatologist catch the signs of skin cancer in the early stage when the cancer is easy enough to treat.
Skin biopsy is one of the ways to catch skin cancer. During the procedure, your surgical dermatologist numbs your targeted area with anesthesia and scraps of all or a portion of the skin lesion. The removed tissues are sent to the lab to be examined under the microscope by a dermatopathologist. Following a biopsy, the treatment area is cleaned and covered with a band-aid.
Besides catching skin cancer and identifying its type, a skin biopsy can also be performed to identify skin infections and conditions that cause a blister.
Mohs Surgery
Mohs micrographic surgery is one of the most common, effective, and advanced procedures that surgical dermatologists perform.
The procedure precisely identifies and removes skin tumors, leaving the healthy skin tissues unharmed. Furthermore, it minimizes the chance of regrowth and lessens the potential for disfigurement and scarring of the skin.
In the Mohs surgery, your dermatologist cleanses and numbs the area with cancerous growths. Then the dermatologist removes skin growth layer by layer and examines each layer under the microscope until all the cancerous growth is removed.
The two most difficult-to-treat skin cancer, i.e., basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinomas, are most commonly treated by Mohs surgery.
Excisional Surgery
What sets excision surgery apart from Mohs surgery is that in excision surgery, a surgical dermatologist also cuts out the margin of the healthy skin that surrounds the cancerous tissue, along with cancerous tissue.
Excision surgery can be done for any type of skin cancer.
Surgical Dermatologist in Miami, Florida
If you’re looking for a reliable and trustworthy dermatologist specializing in skin cancer treatment, look no further than our board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Theodore John “TJ” Giuffrida, at the Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center. Our dermatologist provides timely diagnosis and treatment for your skin conditions so that you can enjoy the best of your health.
To make an appointment with our dermatologists, call today at (305) 461-2000 or use our convenient Request an Appointment form.