Dermatologic surgery is skin surgery to correct medical issues or improve appearance. Specialists in dermatologic surgery are called surgical dermatologists.
One of the most important procedures performed by surgical dermatologists is called Mohs surgery. Mohs surgery is an extremely precise type of cancer removal that leaves healthy tissue behind. It has the highest success rate of all skin cancer surgeries.
Beyond Mohs surgery, dermatologic surgeons may perform reconstructive surgery to restore function and appearance to skin damaged by trauma or a previous surgery. They can treat or remove growths and marks on the surface of the skin, including scars, moles, skin tags, and birthmarks. Most dermatologic surgeons also offer cosmetic treatments, which may include:
There is a great deal of overlap between surgical dermatology, medical dermatology, and cosmetic dermatology. Some procedures apply to more than one subspecialty. For instance, mole removal can be medically necessary to lower the risk of skin cancer, but it also may improve appearance, especially if the mole is large or in a prominent position. Most dermatologists offer services in all areas.
