Mohs Micrographic Surgery in Northern Nevada
Precise, Tissue-Sparing Skin Cancer Treatment by a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon
Mohs micrographic surgery is the most precise and effective technique for treating non-melanoma skin cancers, particularly basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). It is especially well-suited for areas like the head, neck, and other cosmetically sensitive regions, where preserving healthy tissue is critical. At Pacific Crest Dermatology in Carson City, Mohs surgery is performed by Dr. Schneider, a fellowship-trained and board-certified Mohs surgeon with advanced expertise in both skin cancer removal and reconstruction. This highly specialized procedure offers the highest cure rates while minimizing scarring and maximizing cosmetic outcomes.
Despite sounding like an acronym, "Mohs" is actually named after Dr. Frederic Mohs, who developed the technique in the 1930s. Today, it remains the gold standard for treating certain types of skin cancer with precision, safety, and excellent results.
How Does Mohs Surgery Work?
During Mohs surgery, the cancerous tissue is carefully removed - starting around the biopsy site and any visible tumor. The tissue is then processed in our on-site laboratory and prepared as microscope slides - a process that takes about an hour. Dr. Schneider personally examines each slide to identify whether any cancerous cells remain. If so, the process is repeated only where necessary—preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. This step-by-step approach ensures the complete removal of skin cancer with the highest possible cure rates - all in a single visit.
What to Expect After Skin Cancer Removal
Once all of the skin cancer has been successfully removed with Mohs surgery, Dr. Schneider will focus on supporting your healing with the best care possible. Depending on the size and location of the surgical site, the area may be closed with stitches, allowed to heal naturally, or reconstructed using advanced techniques to restore both function and appearance.
For most patients, sutures are generally removed about 1 week after surgery for facial wounds and 10-14 days for body wounds. In the meantime, at-home care is important to ensure proper healing. We recommend gently washing the surgical site with soap and water and applying a fresh dressing daily until the sutures are removed.
We also offer a 1-month follow-up appointment to evaluate the healing process, address any concerns, and perform a laser treatment, such as the UltraClear, if necessary to improve the appearance of the scar. Mild swelling, bruising, or soreness is common in the days following the procedure, and most patients can return to their usual activities soon after.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon? A fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon has completed advanced, specialized training beyond dermatology board certification—an extra 1–2 years focused solely on Mohs surgery. This means they’re highly skilled in: 🔹 Precisely removing skin cancer 🔹 Examining tissue under the microscope to ensure all cancer cells are gone 🔹 Performing expert reconstruction to achieve the best cosmetic and functional results When you choose a fellowship-trained and board-certified Mohs surgeon, you're getting comprehensive, expert care from diagnosis through reconstruction—all in one place.
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How long does Mohs surgery take? The length of the procedure varies depending on the size and location of the skin cancer. Most Mohs surgeries take a few hours. Because each layer is examined on-site in real time, we ask patients to plan for half a day to allow for complete removal and, if needed, reconstruction.
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Will I need stitches or reconstruction after Mohs surgery? In many cases, yes. Once the cancer is fully removed, we’ll discuss the best reconstruction option to ensure the best cosmetic and functional outcome—whether it’s stitches, a skin flap, or natural healing. As a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon, Dr. Schneider is experienced in advanced closures.
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Is Mohs surgery painful? The area is completely numbed with local anesthesia, so you won’t feel pain during the procedure. Some patients experience mild soreness afterward, which is usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.
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Will I have a scar after Mohs surgery? Yes, any time skin is cut, a scar is possible. However, Mohs surgery is designed to minimize the amount of healthy tissue removed. Because Dr. Schneider is fellowship-trained in both Mohs surgery and reconstruction, she carefully plans closures to optimize healing and cosmetic results. Most scars fade significantly over time, and we’ll guide you on scar care to help your skin heal beautifully. Additionally, we offer laser resurfacing with the UltraClear laser after surgery to help minimize scarring and improve skin texture, giving you the best possible outcome.