Can Mohs Surgery Treat Skin Cancer on the Lips?
The lips are often a neglected area when it comes to sun safety, which is dangerous, because they tend to take as much of a beating from sun exposure as the rest of the face—but have thinner and more sensitive skin. Overexposure to natural or artificial sunlight, heavy alcohol use, and smoking are the three main risk factors for skin cancer in this area. So how is skin cancer removed from the lips? Our Little Rock-area patients are often curious about this, as well as treatments for skin cancers that develop on other sensitive areas such as the eyelids, nose, cheeks, ears, neck, and fingers, where the patient may wish to preserve as much normal, healthy tissue as possible.
Most skin cancers that form on the lips occur on the lower lip. Mohs surgery may be the best way of treating this form of cancer so that as much of the function, sensation, and healthy tissue of the lips as possible is kept intact, without changing the appearance of the face too drastically.
The best treatment method for you depends on the extent and depth of the cancer. During Mohs surgery, all the cancerous cells will be removed, layer by layer, from the treatment area. The process is very methodical and precise.
Detecting skin cancer on the lips early increases the chances of it being successfully cured. Some of the most common symptoms to look out for include a sore on the lips or inside of the mouth that doesn’t heal, a lump on the lips, noticeable thickening, pain, numbness, bleeding, or a red or white patch on the lips.
To minimize the risk of skin cancer, you should always protect your face with a wide-brimmed hat and broad-spectrum sunscreen, wear lip balms that contain SPF, minimize exposure to sun during peak UV hours, reduce alcohol intake, avoid tanning beds, get regular dental check-ups, and quit using tobacco—or don’t start in the first place.
The team at the Little Rock-based Dermatology Group of Arkansas can guide you on Mohs surgery for lip cancer or for treating skin cancer on other areas. Call us at 501-227-8422 or 1-800-225-8422 or submit out a contact form online and schedule a consultation if you’re interested in finding out more about this surgery.
Who is a Candidate for Chemical Peels?
Does a chemical peel make you look younger? Our Little Rock-area patients ask us this question all the time when they’re seeking cosmetic treatments to rejuvenate their skin.
Acne, scars, an uneven complexion, wrinkles, visible blood vessels and other skin imperfections may develop on your skin or elsewhere on the body as you go through life because of genetics and environmental conditions. Each patient’s situation is unique, and everyone will have different types of stressors that affect the appearance of their skin.
Sometimes you will lose that healthy glow that can be seen on younger skin. Skin rejuvenation strategies like chemical peels can restore that glow and treat various aspects of skin damage. Peels enhance the look of wrinkled skin and blemishes through the application of various types of chemical solutions to shed the damaged outer layers of the skin. By diminishing signs of aging and making your skin smoother and brighter, they can make your complexion look more youthful.
During your consultation, we may carry out a physical examination to assess the skin that will be treated. We will ask about your medical history and any medications you’re currently taking. Our team will also evaluate the tone and thickness of the skin. Chemical peels are effective for a wide range of skin types and tones, but they usually work best on people who have fairer skin tones and lighter hair. If you have a darker complexion, there is a higher risk of having an uneven skin tone due to hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation after having a chemical peel.
Those who have a history of abnormal scarring, naturally have a dark skin tone, are likely to have extra pigmentation on their scars, have used certain types of acne medications within the last year, or have extremely sensitive skin because of skin conditions and medications may not necessarily be good candidates for chemical peels. Note that peels may not be effective for skin sagging and more severe wrinkles.
The best way to determine if a peel is right for you is to schedule a consultation. Contact our Little Rock-based Dermatology Group of Arkansas for answers to this and other questions about chemical exfoliation treatments. Call us at 501-227-8422 or 1-800-225-8422 or submit a contact form online and schedule a consultation if you’re interested in learning more about this procedure.