What Is Mohs and Skin Cancer Repair?

Mohs surgery is a highly specialized technique for removing skin cancer that is performed layer by layer, ensuring complete removal of cancer cells while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. However, once the cancerous tissue has been removed, the resulting wound must be repaired. This is where reconstructive plastic surgery comes in. Depending on the size and location of the excision, repair may involve primary closure, which means directly closing the wound with sutures, a local skin flap using nearby tissue to cover the wound, or a skin graft that transplants skin from another part of the body. The goal in every case is to restore the best possible appearance while ensuring proper healing.

Reconstructive Repair Options After Mohs

The approach to reconstruction depends on the size, depth, and location of the defect left after skin cancer removal. Your StudioMD surgeon will evaluate these factors carefully and discuss the most appropriate options with you. For smaller wounds in favorable locations, direct closure with fine sutures may produce an excellent result. For larger wounds or those in cosmetically sensitive areas such as the nose, eyelids, ears, or lips, local tissue flaps are often the preferred approach, using adjacent skin and tissue to fill the defect while maintaining natural movement and appearance. In some cases where local tissue is insufficient, a skin graft may be recommended to close the wound and allow healing to proceed.

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Benefits of Reconstructive Surgery After Mohs

Reconstructive surgery after Mohs is not cosmetic in the traditional sense. It is restorative. The goal is to return function and appearance as close as possible to the way things were before the cancer and its treatment. When performed by a skilled plastic surgeon, reconstruction after Mohs can produce results that are remarkably difficult to detect over time, particularly when the cancer was in a less prominent area. Even in areas where some scarring is unavoidable, expert surgical technique minimizes visible impact and maximizes healing.

Am I a Candidate for Post-Mohs Reconstruction?

If you have had Mohs surgery or another form of skin cancer excision that has left a wound requiring closure or reconstruction, you are a candidate for this type of care. Some reconstructions are performed the same day as the Mohs procedure, while others may be planned for a later date. Your StudioMD plastic surgeon will coordinate with your dermatologist or Mohs surgeon to develop the right plan for your specific situation.

Mohs and Skin Cancer Repair Pricing

$7000

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Why Choose StudioMD for Skin Cancer Reconstruction?

Skin cancer repair requires a plastic surgeon who is both technically skilled and attuned to the aesthetic impact of every incision and closure. At StudioMD, our board-certified plastic surgeons have experience in complex reconstructive cases across the face and body, including eyelids, nose, ears, and lips. StudioMD has been serving the New York community since 2008 in a Joint Commission-accredited surgical setting.

Meet Your Providers In aesthetics, provider quality & experience mean everything.

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Dr. Ali Khan, MD

Physician

Dr. Ali Khan, with 18+ years in aesthetics, is a Smartlipo pioneer with 5,000+ procedures performed. He specializes in liposuction, injectables, hair restoration, and minor surgical treatments.

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Dr. Anni Wong, MD

Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Dr. Anni Wong is a fellowship-trained facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon with advanced training from the University of Pennsylvania and a residency at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary at Mount Sinai. She specializes in rhinoplasty, facelift, blepharoplasty, lip lift, and a comprehensive range of surgical and nonsurgical facial procedures. A New Jersey native and Alpha Omega Alpha honoree, Dr. Wong is known for her precise technique and commitment to natural, balanced results.

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Dr. Sadaf Qazi, DO

Cosmetic Surgeon

Dr. Sadaf Qazi is a skilled cosmetic surgeon specializing in body contouring, facial procedures, and injectables. Her expertise spans tummy tucks, BBL, liposuction, breast augmentation, blepharoplasty, and advanced dermal filler techniques.

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Dr. Amar Singh, MD

Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Amar Singh is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience. Trained in multiple fellowships, he specializes in facial plastic surgery, liposuction, injectables, and advanced laser treatments, while actively teaching future surgeons.

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Dr. Sanja Kolarov, MD

Board-Certified Physician

Dr. Sanja Kolarov, a board-certified physician with 17+ years of experience, specializes in injectables, laser treatments, liposuction, hair restoration, and regenerative therapies, providing patients with advanced, medically guided aesthetic care and natural results.

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Dr. Kathryn Alcarez, MD

Physician

Dr. Kathryn Alcarez is an experienced Primary Care Physician with 13+ years of experience and specializes in dermal fillers, wellness, and skin rejuvenation treatments. Her caring approach to her patients is to provide the best preventative care modalities and evidence based medicine possible to maintain their long term health and wellness.

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Dr. Meredith Corson, DO

Board-Certified Physician

Dr. Meredith Corson is a seasoned Primary Care Physician specializing in anti-aging medicine, promoting both internal and external wellness. With over 16 years of experience, she has honed skills in toxins applications, biostimulator fillers, and wellness treatments, earning a solid reputation in facial aesthetics.

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Vanessa Sanchez, NP

Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner

Vanessa Sanchez, a board-certified nurse practitioner with 8+ years of experience, specializes in women’s health, injectables, and advanced anti-aging. She also provides personalized weight loss treatments designed to support long-term aesthetic and wellness goals.

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Dr. Afnan Talat, MD

Board-Certified Physician

Dr. Afnan Talat, a board-certified physician with 9+ years of experience, specializes in aesthetics, weight loss, and sexual health. Her background in skincare science informs her expertise in botox, fillers, and anti-aging medicine.

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Dr. Jeena Zachariah, MD

Board-Certified Physician

Dr. Jeena Zachariah is a board-certified physician with over five years experience in aesthetic medicine. She excels in facial optimization through the use of neuromodulators and dermal fillers, performs radiosurgeries, body contouring injections and hair restoration surgeries, demonstrating a keen eye for detail in every procedure.

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Maria Rivera, RN

Clinical & Operations Director for Hair Restoration

Maria Rivera has over twenty years of experience in the medical field and hair restoration and is a leading expert in FUE, FUT, hair injections and everything else about hair loss treatments and procedures.

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Niki Ioannou, NP

Nurse Practitioner

Niki Ioannou specializes in advanced injectables including Botox, Fillers, Sculptra, and Radiesse, as well as non-surgical weight loss treatments. Known for her precision and personalized care, Niki combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of facial anatomy to help patients look and feel their best.

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Dr. Lena Makartian, MD

Physician

Dr. Lena Makartian is a board‑certified Primary Care Physician with over five years of clinical experience. She specializes in injectables, laser treatments, skin rejuvenation, body contouring, hair restoration, wellness and weight-management therapies, offering patients comprehensive, medically guided aesthetic care.

Dr. Sarah Margolskee, MD

Physician

Dr. Sarah Margolskee is a board-certified physician with over 5 years of experience specializing in wellness, injectables, and aesthetic medicine. Her clinical background informs her precise approach to skin lesions, mole removal, and personalized weight loss treatments designed to support long-term health and confidence.

Dr. Louis Mariotti, DO

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Mariotti is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, specialist in Hair Restoration Medicine and Surgery. With over 30 years of experience and a strong background in facial plastic surgery and hair restoration, he has trained and instructed other surgeons at leading conferences and has been actively involved in advancing techniques within the field.

Madisyn Ferone, NP

Nurse Practitioner

Madisyn Ferone is a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner. She specializes in advanced injectables including Botox, Fillers, Sculptra, and Radiesse. Madisyn brings a patient-centered aesthetic care, and evidence-based beauty enhancements. Passionate about helping patients feel confident through natural-looking results while combining advanced clinical expertise with personalized treatment planning.

Recovery After Skin Cancer Repair

Recovery from post-Mohs reconstruction depends on the complexity of the repair. For simple closures, recovery is straightforward, with patients typically returning to normal activity within a week or two. For flap or graft reconstructions, the initial healing period is generally two to three weeks, with ongoing scar maturation taking several months to a year. Protecting the healing area from sun exposure is especially important for optimizing long-term scar appearance.

What to Expect from Your Results

The results of skin cancer reconstruction improve over time as scar tissue matures and softens. It typically takes six months to one year for a scar to reach its final, faded appearance. Your StudioMD surgeon will use the most appropriate techniques to minimize scarring, preserve natural movement, and restore as much of your pre-surgery appearance as possible.

FAQs Mohs and Skin Cancer Repair

Do I need a separate plastic surgeon appointment after my Mohs surgery?

In some cases, a Mohs surgeon will close the wound at the time of cancer removal. However, for larger or more complex wounds, particularly in cosmetically sensitive facial areas, a referral to a plastic surgeon for reconstruction is common. Your Mohs surgeon or dermatologist will recommend the approach most appropriate for your case.

How soon after Mohs can I have reconstruction?

Timing depends on the wound, the extent of surgery, and your overall health. Some reconstructions are performed on the same day as the Mohs excision. Others are scheduled within days or weeks to allow the wound to stabilize. Your StudioMD surgeon will coordinate with your treating team to determine the optimal timing.

Will I have a noticeable scar?

Some degree of scarring is a natural part of healing after any surgery. Your plastic surgeon's goal is to minimize the visibility of any scar through careful technique, closure design, and guidance on post-operative care. Over time, most scars fade significantly and become far less noticeable.

Can skin cancer repair be done on the face?

Yes. Plastic surgeons are frequently involved in post-Mohs reconstruction on the face, including the nose, eyelids, lips, ears, and cheeks. These are cosmetically sensitive areas where the expertise of a board-certified plastic surgeon makes a meaningful difference in outcomes.

Is skin cancer repair covered by insurance?

Reconstructive surgery following skin cancer removal is typically covered by health insurance, as it is considered a medically necessary procedure rather than a cosmetic one. Your StudioMD team can provide documentation to support an insurance claim. We recommend contacting your insurance provider prior to your procedure to confirm coverage details.

What if I need reconstruction in an area where I have had prior surgery?

Every reconstruction case is evaluated individually. Whether you are addressing a new wound or have previously had skin cancer surgery elsewhere, your StudioMD surgeon will design a plan tailored to your specific anatomy and history.

Start Your Journey Today

If you have undergone Mohs surgery or skin cancer excision and need expert reconstructive care, the StudioMD plastic surgery team is here to help. Schedule a consultation to discuss your wound, your reconstruction options, and what to expect from the process. Our team will work closely with your oncologic or dermatologic team to make sure your reconstructive plan is coordinated and comprehensive.

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