At Suncoast Skin Solutions, we provide surgical dermatology services at 40+ locations across Florida, from Jacksonville to Punta Gorda. Our board-certified surgical dermatology team, including fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons, can help you if you need a skin biopsy, skin cancer removal, or evaluation and excision of a mole, cyst, or other growth.
What Is Surgical Dermatology?
Surgical dermatology encompasses the diagnosis, excision, and repair of skin cancers, precancerous lesions, cysts, moles, and other growths that require surgical treatment. It is different from medical dermatology, which treats chronic skin conditions, and cosmetic dermatology, which focuses on the appearance of healthy skin.
Dermatologic surgery addresses tissue that requires sampling, removal, or reconstruction. It is one of the most common reasons patients are referred to a dermatologist.
Most procedures are done in the office under local anesthesia, so patients can usually go home the same day. Because these procedures treat a medical condition rather than a cosmetic concern, they are most often covered by health insurance.
Surgical Dermatology Procedures We Perform
Our dermatologic surgeons perform a wide range of in-office skin procedures, from diagnostic biopsies to skin cancer removal and post-surgical reconstruction. Below is an overview of our core surgical dermatology services, grouped by the type of care they provide.
Skin Cancer Surgery
Skin cancer surgery is the most common reason patients are referred for dermatologic surgery, and the right treatment depends on the cancer type, size, location, and stage.
Mohs micrographic surgery
Mohs surgery is widely regarded as one of the most precise treatments for many basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, especially in areas where tissue preservation matters most, such as the face, ears, nose, and hands.
During Mohs surgery, our surgeon removes one thin layer of tissue at a time and examines each layer under a microscope before moving forward. This helps confirm that all cancerous cells have been removed while preserving as much healthy skin as possible. This layer-by-layer approach offers one of the highest cure rates in skin cancer treatment.
Surgical excision
Surgical excision removes the tumor along with a surrounding margin of tissue. We use this approach for a range of skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
Superficial radiation therapy (SRT)
SRT is a non-surgical option for selected cases where surgery may not be the best fit. This may include patients who cannot undergo anesthesia or who have cancers in areas where preserving tissue is especially important.
Biopsies and Diagnostic Procedures
A skin biopsy is often the first step in evaluating a suspicious or changing spot on the skin. Our dermatologist removes a small tissue sample using a shave, punch, or excisional technique based on the size, depth, and features of the area. We then send the sample to pathology for microscopic analysis.
Biopsies are performed in the office under local anesthesia, take only a few minutes, and require minimal aftercare. Pathology results are typically available within one to two weeks.
Mole, Lesion, and Growth Removal
Many moles and skin growths are benign, but removal may still be recommended when a mole shows atypical features, when a growth causes discomfort or repeated irritation, or when evaluation and excision are appropriate.
We tailor mole removal, skin lesion removal, and skin growth removal to the size, location, and tissue involved, using the least invasive technique that still allows for a thorough result.
Cyst Removal
Cysts, including sebaceous cysts and pilar cysts, are enclosed sacs that can form beneath the skin and fill with fluid, keratin, or other material. Most cysts are benign, but they can become inflamed, infected, or painful enough to interfere with daily life.
Cyst removal involves excising the cyst and its sac wall under local anesthesia, which helps reduce the chance of recurrence. The procedure is performed in the office and usually involves a short recovery period.
Reconstruction and Repair
After skin cancer removal, especially after Mohs surgery or larger excisions, the treatment site often needs reconstruction to restore both function and appearance. Our surgical dermatologists perform layered closures, skin flaps, and skin grafts based on the wound’s size, depth, and location.
Because reconstruction is handled in-house, many patients complete both removal and repair during the same visit. Then, all that’s left is wound care for the best results.
Surgical Dermatology vs. Medical and Cosmetic Dermatology
Dermatology includes three main branches, and it is common for patients to wonder which type of care they need.
Surgical Dermatology
Surgical dermatology involves the removal and repair of skin cancers, precancerous lesions, cysts, moles, and growths through procedures such as Mohs surgery, excisions, and biopsies. Our goal is to remove diseased or abnormal tissue and restore the skin’s integrity.
Medical Dermatology
Medical dermatology diagnoses and treats conditions that affect the skin, hair, and nails, including acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and skin cancer screening. Our goal is to help patients maintain healthy skin over time.
Cosmetic Dermatology
Cosmetic dermatology addresses appearance-related concerns such as wrinkles, volume loss, pigmentation, and body contouring through non-surgical and minimally invasive treatments.
Why Choose Suncoast Skin Solutions for Surgical Dermatology
Suncoast Skin Solutions offers surgical dermatology services at more than 40 locations across Florida, giving patients access to board-certified dermatologists and experienced surgical teams close to home.
Fellowship-trained Mohs micrographic surgery is led by Dr. Christopher Ewanowski. Our in-house pathology and reconstruction capabilities enable diagnosis, cancer removal, and surgical repair to occur within a single practice, often during a single appointment.
Our integrated approach to medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology also supports coordinated care at every stage, from initial screening through post-surgical scar management, without the need for outside referrals.
Same-day and next-day appointments are available at most locations. We accept most major insurance plans for medically necessary surgical dermatology services. Schedule a consultation to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Surgical dermatology is the branch of dermatology focused on the surgical diagnosis, removal, and repair of skin cancers, precancerous lesions, moles, cysts, and other growths. Common procedures include Mohs surgery, surgical excisions, and skin biopsies.
A dermatologic surgeon is a board-certified dermatologist with specialized surgical training who diagnoses and removes skin cancers, suspicious lesions, and other growths. Many surgeons, including those at Suncoast, have completed fellowship training in Mohs micrographic surgery for a higher level of precision in skin cancer treatment.
Mohs micrographic surgery removes skin cancer one thin layer at a time. Each layer is examined under a microscope during the procedure to confirm that all cancerous tissue has been removed.
Medically necessary procedures, including skin cancer removal, diagnostic biopsies, and removal of symptomatic cysts, are generally covered by health insurance. Cosmetic removals, such as removing a benign mole for appearance reasons alone, may not be covered. Suncoast Skin Solutions accepts most major insurance plans, and we recommend checking specific benefits and eligibility with your carrier.
Some scarring is normal after any procedure that removes skin tissue. Our surgeons use closure techniques designed to minimize visible scarring and support clean healing. If a scar develops, Suncoast offers scar revision options that may improve the result.
The biopsy itself usually takes only a few minutes in the office. After the tissue sample is sent to pathology, results are typically available within one to two weeks.
Your dermatologist will follow up to discuss the findings and any recommended next steps.
It depends on the procedure and the size of the area treated. Shave biopsies and smaller surface-level removals often heal without stitches, while excisions, Mohs repairs, and larger removals usually require sutures.
Your care team will review wound care instructions and follow-up scheduling at your visit.
Suncoast Skin Solutions provides surgical dermatology services at more than 40 locations across Florida. Visit our Locations page to find the office closest to you.