Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Why Mohs is the gold standard

Mohs micrographic surgery has the highest cure rate of any treatment for the most common skin cancers — basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Unlike standard excision, the surgeon (a board-certified Mohs surgeon, in our case Dr. Carolina Puyana) processes each tissue layer in the lab and reads the slides personally before deciding whether to take more.

That feedback loop is why Mohs is recommended on the face, ears, lips, eyelids, hands, and any area where preserving healthy tissue matters.

What to expect on the day of surgery

• Local anesthesia only — you stay awake and comfortable.
• Most cases finish in a single morning, though large or deep tumors can take longer.
• You'll wait in our office between layers (bring a book or your phone).
• Once the margins are clear, Dr. Puyana closes the wound the same day.
• You leave with detailed aftercare instructions in English or Spanish.

Recovery

Expect a small dressing for 24–48 hours. Most patients return to office work in 1–3 days; physical exercise typically resumes after a week. Sutures are usually removed at 7–14 days depending on location.

Who is a candidate

Mohs is recommended for:

• Skin cancers on the face, scalp, ears, hands, feet, or genitals
• Recurrent skin cancers
• Aggressive or large tumors
• Tumors where tissue preservation is critical