Like other types of cancer, skin cancer is the growth of cells at an abnormal rate. A chief cause of skin cancer is sun exposure, which is why skin cancer most often occurs on the face. The three types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

Skin cancer may manifest in various sizes and intensities. Smaller wounds can be healed topically or through cryotherapy whereas larger lesions may require surgical intervention.

Psychological Pain Of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is undoubtedly a traumatic physical experience. Another layer of this trauma is that the skin cancer can afflict one’s face, which can affect a patient’s identity and how they view themselves.

Any facial reconstruction technique after skin cancer will not completely reverse the damage done by skin cancer. Further, the healing of scars can take up to a year and they still may not completely disappear.

Primary Repair

Reconstruction by primary repair involves stitching together the incision in the skin with sutures. The wound must first be extended before it is sutured. This ensures that the resulting reconstruction does not make the skin look bunched together at the edges.

With primary repair, surgeons take great care in deciding on the final direction of the scar by considering the facial structure and existing facial lines. By doing this, surgeons attempt to minimize the appearance of the scar.

Skin Grafting

The skin grafting technique involves harvesting the skin from another location on the body and using it to cover the lesion. The location from which skin is extracted is usually closed with sutures.

Skin grafting is not the most selected method of reconstruction because the skin grafted on will usually stand out in relation to the surrounding skin. The grafted skin will be slightly shinier and of different coloring.

In spite of this, skin grafting is a good option for certain types of reconstruction since it does not require lengthening of the incision and the procedure can be completed much quicker.

Mohs Technique

The technique most used to surgically remove skin cancer is the Mohs technique. The Mohs technique is most opted for because it carries with it the lowest risk of cancer resurgence and leaves the lowest quantity of scars.

Trained surgeons remove cancer and examine the lesion under a microscope to ensure all traces of the cancer are eradicated. The surgeon will then undertake the challenging task of resetting the face, keeping in mind function as well as aesthetic appeal.

The goal of surgical reconstruction is to enable the patient to resume their daily activities and not be plagued by their appearance. Recovery will vary between patients. The appearance of scarring can be remedied through dermal fillers and resurfacing treatments.

Contact Our Office

After going through a skin cancer removal procedure, you don’t have to feel the need to hide your body because there are treatment options available that will help you improve your look. Skin reconstruction after procedures like these are great options for anyone going through or has already gone through a skin cancer removal.

If you’re interested in learning more about skin reconstruction, contact The J. Parry Clinic to schedule your initial consultation today!