To learn more about the skin care service we provide visit the Aesthetician and Skin Care Services - Face-to-Face section of our site - go to Face-to-Face

Skin Care After Lesion Treatment

After treatment a significant degree of attention has to be placed on proper skin care in an attempt to avoid future surgical treatment. In collaboration with Dr. Dabb, our Aesthetician will create an appropriate skin care solution tailored to each patient special needs.

Skin Surgery
Dr. Dabb sees many patients for both benign and malignant skin lesions.  He was the first plastic surgeon in the country to have a skin care center integrated into his practice.  In addition to diagnosing and treating skin lesions, the Center provides the highest quality of preventive skin care through its affiliation with Face-to Face.

Benign Skin Lesions
Once a lesion is confirmed to be benign, it may be treated by a variety of modalities.  Hyphercation (removed with an electric needle), laser ablation with either of our CO2 or YAG lasers, or excision may be offered.  This would be determined in consultation with regard to what would be the most efficacious and leave the least scar.

Malignant Skin Lesions
Most malignant skin lesions are of one of three cell types: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, an malignant melanoma.  Most of these lesions require excision and pathologic confirmation that the tumor has been completely removed.  Frequently, incision lines may be placed in normal skin lines or folds making them less noticeable.  In a new orientation to best close the defect.  This is called a local flap.  These procedures may frequently may be done in the office.

Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is a non-metastasizing lesion.  It usually requires excision and to have the margins of excision checked by a pathologist to ensure adequate removal.  These lesions are usually related to long-term sun exposure.  They are frequently preceded by what is called actinic keratosis.  Once excised, with clear margins, there is a very low incidence of recurrence.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is a more aggressive lesion than a basal cell carcinoma.  This lesion, if left unattended for a long period of time, has the potential to metastasize to regional lymph nodes.  It is more frequently seen in people with significant sun exposure and in patients who may have been immunosuppressed by disease or treatments of autoimmune disease.  These lesions need a wider excision than a basal cell carcinoma.

Malignant Melanoma

Malignant melanoma is a cancer it comes from the melanocytes that are the cells that give pigment to the skin.  Malignant melanomas usually arise from pre-existing pigmented moles.  These lesions have the ability to spread locally and form what call satellites, to regional lymph nodes or through the bloodstream.  The initial excisional biopsy of the lesion dictates whether treatment beyond simple excision is required.  It also dictates how wide an excision needs to be around the lesion.  In the deeper lesions, a sentinel node biopsy may need to be performed by an oncologic surgeon that works with Dr. Dabb.  There is a strong familial history of melanoma.