Surgical Dermatology

Kentucky Skin Cancer Center

Skin Cancer Screening Specialist

Dermatologist & Mohs Micrographic Surgeon located in Bowling Green, Owensboro & Franklin, KY

When you need surgical dermatology care, it’s important to trust only the most experienced and highly respected skin cancer surgery specialists for treatment. Robert Skaggs, MD, FAAD, at the Kentucky Skin Cancer Center, is a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon who’s widely known as a leading skin cancer surgeon. Dr. Skaggs can help with surgical dermatology of all types, including skin excisions, biopsies, cyst removal, mole removal, and much more. Call the Bowling Green or Franklin, Kentucky, office for an appointment today.

Helpful Information

Surgical Dermatology Q & A

In electrodessication and curettage, Dr. Skaggs numbs your skin growth and the surrounding area and then scrapes away abnormal tissue. Then, he cauterizes (burns) the area lightly to stop the bleeding. Electrodessication and curettage is used on superficial skin growths and cancers, but usually not on those affecting the deeper layers of your skin.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery is an advanced technique for microscopically controlled skin cancer removal. Dr. Skaggs administers local anesthesia and then removes a small amount of the cancer growth. Then, he views it in 3D under a microscope to see the cancer cells. 

Dr. Skaggs removes skin layers incrementally, checking every layer under the microscope in the on-site lab until your skin sample no longer has cancer cells in it. 

Most cancers require 1-3 laboratory checks. Mohs surgery takes time, but this technique is extremely successful. In fact, 99% of newly discovered skin cancers and 95-97% of returning skin cancers are cured with Mohs surgery. 

Dr. Skaggs is a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon. He is well-known as a Mohs Micrographic Surgery and skin cancer specialist.

In cryotherapy, Dr. Skaggs applies a liquid nitrogen to an abnormal skin growth. The liquid nitrogen freezes the skin growth, and it eventually falls off. Cryotherapy is often used for warts, skin tags, and some precancerous skin growths.

 
 

In a standard surgical excision, Dr. Skaggs administers anesthetic to an abnormal skin growth. Then, he uses a scalpel to remove the skin growth. Depending on the size of the growth and the depth of the excision, he might place a few tiny stitches in your skin afterward.

A skin excision might be the right option when a cyst or mole is quite large and can’t be treated with simple removal.

Most surgical dermatology treatments at the Kentucky Skin Cancer Center are minimally invasive and require no downtime. Dr. Skaggs will advise you about caring for the treatment site after your appointment, including keeping the treatment site clean and encouraging healing. Unless you are unable to take it, Tylenol is recommended nearly every time.

Call the Kentucky Skin Cancer Center location near you to schedule your surgical dermatology appointment now.

General Dermatology

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