Welcome to Baucom & Mina Derm Surgery, LLC’s monthly newsletter. We are excited to provide this service to our patients to discuss relevant dermatology, surgery, and cosmetic topics, and keep you posted on what’s new in our office. If you have not already signed up for the e-newsletter, you can do so on our website by clicking the button below.
As the weather cools, it’s important to adjust your skin care regimen accordingly. Here are some tips from the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery:
- Switch from a lotion to a thicker, cream-based moisturizer
- Even with shorter days, make sure to apply sunscreen daily
- Protect your lips with a hydrating lip balm with SPF (We love Elta’s UV lip balm with SPF)
- Avoid long hot showers as this can dry your skin out in the long term
- Be sure to apply a moisturizer immediately after showering or washing hands
CHECK OUT THIS EXPLODING CYST!!
OK, ok…made you look! It may not be an ‘exploding’ cyst, but our newest YouTube video shows the removal of a large scalp cyst, without the exploding made-for-tv drama à la Dr. Pimple Popper.
Check it out and let us know what other types of videos you’d like to see more of in the future.
What is Mohs Surgery?
It’s the most common procedure we perform at Baucom & Mina and the gold standard for the treatment of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. Check out this summary and link from the Skin Cancer Foundation for a more in-depth look into this technique.
Who Performs the Procedure
Mohs surgery is performed by dermatologists who are specially trained to fulfill three roles:
- As the surgeon who removes cancerous tissue
- As the pathologist who analyzes the lab specimens
- As the surgeon who closes or reconstructs the wound
Advantages of Mohs Surgery
Efficient, cost-effective treatments
- Single-visit outpatient surgery
- Local anesthesia
- Lab work done on-site
Precise results
- Physician examines 100% of tumor margins
- Spares healthy tissue
- Leaves the smallest scar possible
The highest cure rates
- Up to 99% for a skin cancer that has not been treated before
- Up to 94% for a skin cancer that has recurred after a previous treatment
What happens during Mohs surgery?
The procedure is done in stages, all in one visit, while the patient waits between each stage.
- After removing a layer of tissue, the surgeon examines it under the microscope in the on-site lab.
- If any cancerous cells remain, the surgeon knows the exact location and removes those cells while sparing normal skin.
- This is repeated until all the cancer cells are removed.
- The surgeon then repairs the defect and sutures are placed as needed.
Did you know that Mohs surgeons are now required to pass a board-certification after their formal fellowship training? Drs. Baucom & Mina took their exam in early October! More on what this means in an upcoming newsletter!
Happy ‘Medical Assistants Day!’
We recently celebrated our medical assistants for all they do in helping our practice run well. From excellent patient care, surgical assisting, and administrative responsibilities, these 5 keep our office running smoothly. Did you know our medical assistants are also trained as histotechs and work in our lab processing Mohs specimens? These ladies can do it all, and we greatly appreciate you Taleisha, LaTisha, Ashley, Tiffany and Brittany!
Let’s Get Social!
Let’s get social! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest Baucom & Mina Derm Surgery, LLC info. And look for our latest videos on YouTube where we discuss and showcase medical and cosmetic procedures we perform in our office.
