Surgical Dermatology

At the Skin Cancer and Cosmetic Surgery Center of New Jersey, our primary focus is to provide expert, compassionate care for your skin. Our excellent surgical dermatology department is committed to your skin’s health. We use the most advanced techniques to diagnose, treat, and prevent skin conditions, including skin cancer.

What Is Surgical Dermatology?

Surgical dermatology focuses on treating skin conditions that may need more than medication and regular skin care. These treatments vary from minor procedures, such as mole or skin tag removal, to more complicated surgeries that treat skin cancer. Surgical dermatology needs careful skill, specific tools like lasers, and a thorough knowledge of how the skin works.

Dermatology Treatments Comparison

Surgical dermatology and cosmetic dermatology, though often overlapping, have distinctive focuses.

Surgical Dermatology vs Cosmetic Dermatology

Surgical dermatology focuses on health-related skin issues, including skin cancer, cysts, and moles. The goal is to treat, manage, or prevent skin diseases through surgery. Cosmetic dermatology, on the other hand, emphasizes aesthetic improvement of the skin. This can include procedures like wrinkle reduction, acne scar treatment, and skin rejuvenation.

Surgical Dermatology for Skin Cancer

Surgical dermatology is a critical tool in managing skin cancer. These include melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma. It also plays an important role in the removal and treatment of pre-skin cancers, known as actinic keratosis. Through early detection and precise surgical procedures, we can effectively treat these conditions. This minimizes the risk of recurrence and further harm to the skin.

Benefits of Surgical Dermatology

There are many benefits of surgical dermatology, including immediate results, targeting specific skin conditions, and preventing more serious skin issues. Surgical procedures to remove unwanted growths or skin cancer can also ease discomfort and improve the appearance of your skin.

What Treatments Do We Offer?

Our center offers two main kinds of surgical dermatology treatments: excision and Mohs surgery. As individual cases are all different, we take care to tailor our approach to suit each patient’s unique needs.

Excisions

Excision is a common surgical procedure that involves the removal of a skin lesion along with a margin of surrounding tissue. It is a relatively straightforward process and is often used for the removal of moles, cysts, or skin cancer. Excisions are typically outpatient procedures and have a swift recovery process depending on the size of your lesion.

Mohs

Mohs surgery is a state-of-the-art technique used for treating skin cancer. It involves the surgical removal of skin cancer layer by layer, examining each layer under a microscope until no cancer cells remain. Mohs surgery has the highest cure rate while preserving as much healthy skin as possible, leaving the smallest potential scar.

What Are the Risks Involved?

As with any surgery, surgical dermatology carries some risk. These may include infection, scarring, or an adverse reaction to anesthesia. In the case of skin cancer surgery, there’s a chance that not all cancerous cells are removed, leading to recurrence. 

At SCCSNJ, we prioritize patient safety. Our experienced surgeons take all necessary precautions to reduce these risks. We aim to remove a cancer or precancerous lesion completely and leave you with the best cosmetic outcome.

How Much Do the Treatments Cost?

As each case is unique, the cost of surgical dermatology treatments will vary. Some factors to consider are:
    • The complexity of the procedure;
    • The type and location of the skin condition;
    • And the patient’s health insurance coverage.
Before any procedure is done, our team will provide a detailed estimate and help you to understand your insurance benefits.

Am I a Candidate for Surgical Dermatology?

If you have a suspicious mole or lesion, it’s crucial that you do not hesitate to get a dermatologist’s opinion. You may have a skin condition that requires surgical intervention. Some of these conditions include skin cancers, cysts, moles, or pre-skin cancers. Our team can conduct a thorough examination and consultation to determine the best course of treatment for your skin’s health. If necessary, we will help to develop a surgical treatment plan that is appropriate for your unique needs.

In the world of surgical dermatology, early detection and treatment are key, especially when it comes to skin cancers or pre-skin cancers. At SCCSNJ, you will receive high-quality treatment by compassionate doctors who care about your total well-being. Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment.