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Phone/Fax: (310) 571-8435

Email: drsalar@hazanyderm.com

Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Beverly Hills & Los Angeles

Mohs Micrographic Surgery 
Los Angeles & Beverly Hills

You Deserve to Live Cancer-Free

All About Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Mohs micrographic surgery is a highly effective surgical procedure for several types of dangerous skin cancers (listed here). The surgery involves removing skin cancers in a systematic and gradual manner, where the malignant cells are removed layer-by-layer, and the complete depth and circumference of cancer tissue margins are examined until only cancer-free tissue remains. 

There are several factors that determine whether your Mohs surgeon is qualified to remove your skin cancer. The doctor in charge of your skin cancer treatment:

1) Must have seamless functional and cosmetic results. Look at their before and after pictures of Mohs surgery – is there a visible scar? Are their results aesthetically pleasing?
2) Should have spectacular reviews. Look through their Google and Yelp reviews to see what past patients have said.
3) Must be fellowship trained. This means that they have performed over 500 Mohs surgeries during 1-2 years of additional training after residency. To verify if they are fellowship trained, search them up in the official American College of Mohs Surgery directory here.
4) Must be board-certified in dermatology.
5) Must be board-certified in micrographic dermatologic surgery. 

Dr. Salar Hazany proudly stands as one of the very few surgeons in the nation who meet all the criteria above. Read his story below, then take a look at his results and reviews. 

Click below for closed captioning access on YouTube.

All About Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Mohs micrographic surgery is a highly effective surgical procedure for several types of dangerous skin cancers (listed here). The surgery involves removing skin cancers in a systematic and gradual manner, where the malignant cells are removed layer-by-layer, and the complete depth and circumference of cancer tissue margins are examined until only cancer-free tissue remains. 

There are several factors that determine whether your Mohs surgeon is qualified to remove your skin cancer. The doctor in charge of your skin cancer treatment:

1) Must have seamless functional and cosmetic results. Look at their before and after pictures of Mohs surgery – is there a visible scar? Are their results aesthetically pleasing?
2) Should have spectacular reviews. Look through their Google and Yelp reviews to see what past patients have said.
3) Must be fellowship trained. This means that they have performed over 500 Mohs surgeries during 1-2 years of additional training after residency. To verify if they are fellowship trained, search them up in the official American College of Mohs Surgery directory here.
4) Must be board-certified in dermatology.
5) Must be board-certified in micrographic dermatologic surgery. 

Dr. Salar Hazany proudly stands as one of the very few surgeons in the nation who meet all the criteria above. Read his story below, then take a look at his results and reviews. 

Dr. Hazany is an Expert Mohs Surgeon in L.A.

    Looking for the best Mohs surgeon in Los Angeles? Dr. Hazany is an expert Mohs surgeon located in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles. Fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons like Dr. Hazany spend an additional 1-2 years perfecting their craft under the supervision of an experienced Mohs surgeon. Dr. Hazany completed his Mohs micrographic surgery fellowship with the world-renowned Dr. Leonard Goldberg, a leader in the field of Mohs surgery and skin cancer treatment.

       

    The advanced techniques Dr. Hazany learned in his fellowship are particularly effective for areas that require precise and delicate reconstruction, such as the face, hands, and joints. Dr. Hazany’s training in cosmetic dermatologic surgery ensures optimal aesthetic and functional wound reconstruction following the Mohs procedure. Dr. Hazany has successfully performed over 25,000 Mohs micrographic surgeries and counting.

Making Mohs Surgery an Art In Beverly Hills

    The primary goal of Mohs micrographic surgery is to completely remove skin cancer. The malignant tissue margins often extend beyond the visible boundaries of the abnormality. Therefore, the wound is often larger than patients might expect. 


    Dr. Hazany's two-year Mohs micrographic surgery fellowship and his one-year internship in plastic and reconstructive surgery has provided him with comprehensive knowledge of cosmetic wound reconstruction. Once Dr. Hazany is certain the cancerous tissue has been removed, he employs his cosmetics expertise to reconstruct the wound, restoring functionality, minimizing scarring, and providing an aesthetically pleasing result.

Mohs Wound Reconstruction for Physically-Active Patients

For patients who are athletes or generally physically active, wound reconstruction following Mohs surgery entails several considerations to ensure a safe and expeditious return to regular activity. It is essential to understand the kinetics of movement and the underlying orthopedic anatomical structures to allow for optimal function.


Check out this video to see how Dr. Hazany considers functional design in Mohs surgery wound reconstruction: Mohs Micrographic Surgery Wound Reconstruction for a "Farm-to-Table" Grocer and Zumba Instructor.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mohs Micrographic Surgery:

  • What is skin cancer?

    Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells. Skin cancer often develops in areas of the skin with significant sunlight exposure. The ultraviolet rays in sunlight can damage and mutate the DNA in your skin cells. Over time, this may cause your skin cells to grow uncontrollably. Though, skin cancer can also develop in areas that do not receive sunlight exposure. Some common risk factors for skin cancer include having a lighter complexion, excessive sun exposure, and a family history of skin cancer. Read more about skin cancer here.

  • Are skin cancers life-threatening?

    Yes. If left undetected or untreated, skin cancer can be life-threatening. Though, with early detection and proper treatment, skin cancer has a high cure rate. The sooner that skin cancer is treated, the better, as skin cancers become more life-threatening over time. 

  • What types of skin cancer require Mohs micrographic surgery?

    The following pathologic tumor subtypes can be treated with Mohs surgery:


    • Basal cell carcinoma
    • Squamous cell c arcinoma, Keratoacanthoma
    • Bowen disease
    • Lentigo Maligna and melanoma in situ
    • Primary lentigo maligna
    • Adenocystic carcinoma
    • Adnexal carcinoma
    • Apocrine carcinoma
    • Angiosarcoma
    • Atypical fibroxanthoma
    • Bowenoid papulosisd
    • Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
    • Desmoplastic trichoepithelioma
    • Extramammary Paget disease
    • Eccrine carcinoma
    • Leiomyosarcoma
    • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
    • Merkel cell carcinoma
    • Microcystic Adnexal Carcinoma
    • Mucinous Carcinoma
    • Sebaceous Carcinoma
    • Rare Biopsy proven malignancies not otherwise specified.

    Note, patient health status, tumor size, and tumor location also play a role in deciding if Mohs is an appropriate treatment option.


  • Why is it important that my Mohs surgeon be fellowship-trained?

    In addition to three years of dermatology residency, fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons rigorously trained for two years. This allowed Dr. Hazany to sharpen his surgical skills and perfect the latest, most cutting-edge techniques under an accredited group of physicians. During his fellowship, Dr. Hazany completed more than 3,000 complex reconstructions of the eyelids, ears, lips, face, fingers, hands, feet, nose, other extremities, and genitals (he has now performed over 25,000 Mohs surgeries and counting). Dr. Hazany a part of the American College of Mohs Surgeons (ACMS), a prestigious society for the best fellowship-trained surgeons that requires continued education and community service. 


    Many dermatologists perform Mohs micrographic surgery without having completed a fellowship. Many non-fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons are members of the American Society of Mohs Surgery (ASMS), which has comparatively less rigorous and demanding membership criteria than ACMS. Differences in the surgeon's experience, technique, and training are apparent in the final product in side-by-side comparisons.

  • What is the success rate for Mohs micrographic surgery?

    According to the American College of Mohs Surgery, “Mohs surgery has the highest success rate of all treatments for skin cancer – up to 99%.”

  • What does "Mohs" stand for?

    Dr. Frederick Mohs is the namesake of this surgery. He developed Mohs micrographic surgery in the 1930s. The surgery technique has since been refined and modernized.

  • Does Mohs micrographic surgery leave a scar?

    Any surgical procedure for skin cancer will potentially leave a scar. However, since Mohs surgery entails methodically examining the margins of the skin cancer, unlike other skin cancer surgeries, it allows for the maximal preservation of healthy tissue. Further, Mohs surgeons who are trained in cosmetic wound reconstruction, like Dr. Hazany, are equipped with reconstruction methods which minimize, and can even eliminate, scarring. If there is any trace of scarring, Dr. Hazany can help you remove it by using a variety of cosmetic procedures including chemical peels, laser treatment, and microdermabrasion.

  • Is Mohs micrographic surgery an outpatient procedure?

    Yes. You will be able to go home after the procedure.

  • Will I be asleep during Mohs micrographic surgery?

    No. Local anesthetics are used to ensure patient comfort. Mohs micrographic surgery can be a time-consuming procedure and prolonged use of general anesthesia can be dangerous. In between phases of the surgery, the patient will wear a temporary dressing and be able to sit-up, talk, read, and use the restroom. Patient comfort is a priority for Dr. Hazany. 

  • How should I prepare in the weeks and days leading up to my Mohs micrographic surgery?

    1.) Be sure to talk about your health and existing health conditions with your surgeon. 


    2.) Stop nicotine use as soon as possible (e.g. smoking tobacco, vaping nicotine, smokeless tobacco, and other nicotine products). Since nicotine narrows your blood vessels, it can deprive your wound of an adequate blood supply and interfere with the healing process after surgery. 


    3.)Avoid using blood thinners at least two weeks before surgery (e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.). Stop using other blood-thinning compounds at least one week before surgery (e.g. garlic, fish oil, vitamin-C, vitamin-E, etc.). Blood-thinning compounds increase the risk of bleeding during surgery.


    4.) Avoid consuming alcohol at least three days before surgery. Alcohol consumption increases the risk of bleeding during surgery.


  • How should I prepare on the day of my Mohs micrographic surgery?

    1.) Shower the morning of your surgery. Be sure to thoroughly wash the surgical area with soap. This can help prevent infection. 


    2.) Do not apply products to the surgical area. If the surgical area is on your face, do not wear make-up.


    3.) Eat a nutritious breakfast.


    4.) Be sure to take your regular medication, unless directed otherwise by your surgeon. 


    5.) Wear comfortable clothes. 


    6.) Since the procedure can be lengthy, be sure to bring snack food and something to keep you occupied (e.g. reading material). 


  • How should I manage my wound after Mohs micrographic surgery?

    Dr. Hazany will give you detailed post-surgery instructions and you will have follow-up appointments to make sure the wound is healing properly. 

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