Skin Cancers Treated · Kare Plastic Surgery Los Angeles
Types of Facial Skin Cancer Requiring Reconstruction
Dr. Karamanoukian reconstructs facial defects following the removal of all major types of skin cancer, including those treated by Mohs micrographic surgery.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
The most common skin cancer in Los Angeles and across the United States. Basal cell carcinoma frequently appears on the nose, cheeks, and forehead. Mohs surgery removes the cancer with precise margins, and reconstruction restores the skin defect with a result that blends naturally with surrounding tissue.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma of the face can involve the lips, ears, forehead, and scalp. After complete removal, reconstruction with local flaps or skin grafts closes the wound and restores both function and appearance. Dr. Karamanoukian coordinates with the treating dermatologist or Mohs surgeon to plan the repair in advance.
Melanoma
Melanoma on the face requires wide surgical excision with clear margins. The resulting defect is often larger than those from other skin cancers and may require more complex reconstruction involving layered flaps or grafts. Dr. Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery designs each repair to minimize scarring and restore a natural facial contour.
Kare Plastic Surgery · Santa Monica, Los Angeles
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Facial Reconstruction Techniques Used by Dr. Karamanoukian
The method used to close a facial skin cancer wound depends on the size and location of the defect, the quality of the surrounding skin, and the patient's overall health. Dr. Karamanoukian selects the technique that gives the best functional and cosmetic outcome for each individual patient.
Local Skin Flaps
A local flap uses nearby skin and soft tissue to fill the wound left by cancer removal. The surrounding skin is lifted and moved into position, then closed in a way that places the final scar along natural facial lines. Local flaps provide an excellent color and texture match and are the preferred method for most facial defects. Dr. Karamanoukian has extensive experience with advancement flaps, rotation flaps, and transposition flaps throughout the face, nose, eyelid, and lip regions.
Skin Grafts
When local tissue is not available in sufficient quantity to close a defect, a skin graft may be used. Skin is taken from a donor site such as the neck, behind the ear, or the inner arm, and transplanted to cover the wound. Split thickness and full thickness grafts each have specific applications depending on the size and depth of the defect. Dr. Karamanoukian selects graft donor sites that minimize additional scarring and provide a close color match to the face.
Eyelid Reconstruction
Skin cancer near the eyelid requires special attention to preserve normal eyelid function and protect the eye from injury or dryness. Dr. Karamanoukian performs eyelid reconstruction using techniques that restore the natural eyelid margin, support normal blinking, and maintain a smooth, symmetric appearance. Reconstruction may involve local tarsal flaps, skin grafts, or combined approaches depending on the extent of tissue removed.
Nasal Reconstruction
The nose is one of the most complex areas of the face to reconstruct after skin cancer removal because of its three-dimensional structure and prominent location. Dr. Karamanoukian performs nasal reconstruction using local flaps and cartilage support when needed to restore the nasal shape, nasal tip, alar rim, and dorsum. His approach is designed to maintain normal nasal breathing while producing a natural and symmetric result visible from any angle.
Cheek and Forehead Repair
Defects on the cheek and forehead are repaired using flaps that hide the resulting scar within natural skin folds, hairlines, or shadow lines. Dr. Karamanoukian designs the repair to minimize the visible scar while closing the wound under minimal tension so that the final result heals smoothly and blends with surrounding facial skin.
Lip and Ear Reconstruction
Skin cancer of the lip or ear requires restoration of both the surface skin and the underlying structural support to preserve normal function. Lip reconstruction maintains normal lip movement and oral competence. Ear reconstruction following skin cancer removal restores the cartilage framework and skin coverage needed for a natural contour. Dr. Karamanoukian evaluates each patient individually to determine the best approach for these specialized areas.
Kare Plastic Surgery serves patients throughout Los Angeles: Dr. Karamanoukian coordinates with Mohs surgeons and dermatologists across Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Malibu, and the San Fernando Valley to provide same-day or next-day facial reconstruction after skin cancer removal. Bring any operative records or pathology reports from your skin cancer procedure to your consultation. Call (310) 998-5533 for an appointment.
Why Patients in Los Angeles Choose Dr. Karamanoukian for Facial Reconstruction
Facial skin cancer reconstruction requires both technical precision and an understanding of facial aesthetics. A repair that closes the wound but leaves an obvious scar or distorts the surrounding anatomy is not a complete result. Dr. Karamanoukian combines reconstructive expertise with aesthetic judgment to produce repairs that are both medically sound and visually natural.
As a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 25 years of experience, Dr. Karamanoukian has repaired facial defects involving every region of the face in patients of all ages. His training encompasses the full range of reconstructive techniques needed to address both simple and complex wounds. Patients from across Los Angeles trust Kare Plastic Surgery for skin cancer reconstruction because of Dr. Karamanoukian's ability to plan individualized repairs that restore the face as close as possible to its appearance before surgery.
Kare Plastic Surgery offers same-week consultation appointments for patients who have recently undergone Mohs surgery or other skin cancer removal procedures and need prompt reconstruction. Call (310) 998-5533.
Scar Revision After Facial Skin Cancer Surgery
Some patients who had prior facial skin cancer removal at another office are left with scars that are wide, raised, or misaligned with natural facial lines. Dr. Karamanoukian performs scar revision to improve the appearance of these scars using techniques that reposition the scar within natural creases, release contracted tissue, or resurface thickened scar tissue.
Patients seeking scar revision after prior skin cancer surgery are seen at Kare Plastic Surgery with the same level of attention as those presenting for immediate reconstruction. A thorough evaluation of the scar and surrounding tissue guides the plan for revision. Call (310) 998-5533 or visit the Kare Plastic Surgery scar revision page for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is facial skin cancer reconstruction?
Facial skin cancer reconstruction is a surgical procedure that repairs the wound or defect left behind after skin cancer removal, including Mohs micrographic surgery. The goal is to close the wound in a way that restores normal appearance and function while minimizing visible scarring. Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles performs reconstruction using local flaps, skin grafts, and other advanced techniques tailored to each patient. Call (310) 998-5533.
Which skin cancers of the face require reconstruction?
The most common skin cancers requiring facial reconstruction are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. After the dermatologist or Mohs surgeon removes the cancer, Dr. Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery reconstructs the defect to restore appearance and protect the underlying tissue. Call (310) 998-5533 for a consultation.
How soon after Mohs surgery can reconstruction be performed?
In many cases reconstruction is performed the same day as Mohs surgery, once the surgeon confirms that all cancer cells have been removed. Dr. Karamanoukian coordinates directly with Mohs surgeons throughout Los Angeles and Santa Monica to provide same-day or next-day reconstruction when appropriate. Call (310) 998-5533.
What is recovery like after facial skin cancer reconstruction?
Most patients return to normal daily activities within one to two weeks after facial reconstruction. Swelling and mild bruising resolve over the first week. Sutures are typically removed within one to two weeks depending on the location of the repair. Final scar appearance continues to improve for several months after surgery. Dr. Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles provides detailed aftercare instructions at the time of your procedure. Call (310) 998-5533.
Can prior facial cancer scars be revised at Kare Plastic Surgery?
Yes. Dr. Karamanoukian performs scar revision for patients who had prior skin cancer removal at other offices and are unhappy with the scar result. Techniques include scar repositioning, Z-plasty, W-plasty, and laser resurfacing depending on the nature of the scar. Call (310) 998-5533 or visit the scar revision page at karesurgery.com for more information.
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