Reconstruction Procedure: Facial Skin Cancer Reconstructions

Patients suffering from skin cancer of the face have a very difficult challenge. Not only do these patients have to deal with cancer, but the treatment and removal of that cancer affects the very feature that defines their identity - their face. Unfortunately, the damage caused by skin cancer can never be completely undone, and no surgery on the skin can be performed without leaving a scar. However, reconstruction of facial skin cancer defects should aim to return the individual's facial form and function to as close to normal as possible so that individual is not left with permanent consequences from a cured skin cancer.

Wound healing is a complicated process that often takes up to one year for complete maturation of scars to occur. During this time, there may be a period when scars initially look worse before they look better. A completed result may take more than one procedure or require small "touch ups" with various scar revision treatments to optimize the final appearance.