Is Mohs Surgery Painful?

Most patients in the greater Los Angeles area are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable Mohs surgery is, as it is performed under local anesthesia. You may notice gentle pressure or a slight tugging sensation as the tissue is removed, but discomfort during the procedure is minimal. As the anesthetic wears off, mild soreness or tightness may occur for a day or two, though this is typically very manageable. Most patients do well with simple over-the-counter pain medication and experience an overall smooth, easy recovery.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Most Mohs surgeries are completed in a single visit. You may need a brief follow-up appointment for suture removal or to check healing progress, but most patients complete treatment in one day.

How Long Until I See the Results?

The cancer is completely removed by the end of the procedure, and the skin begins to heal immediately. Any swelling or redness usually fades within a few weeks, and scars continue to refine over time. Once the area has healed, most patients are thrilled by how natural their results look.

Can I Combine Mohs Surgery with Other Procedures?

Yes, in some cases. Once the cancer has been fully removed, patients sometimes choose to enhance their cosmetic results with reconstructive or aesthetic treatments. Dr. Fidai may recommend additional options such as laser resurfacing , scar refinement, or cosmetic dermatology treatments to help the skin heal beautifully and blend seamlessly with surrounding tissue. These options can be discussed during your consultation to plan any additional procedures safely. To schedule your appointment, please call our office today!

What Are the Risks Associated with Mohs Surgery?

Potential risks that can be seen with Mohs surgery include minor bleeding, infection, or scarring. Because Mohs surgery removes cancer one layer at a time, it’s actually considered one of the safest and most effective techniques available, especially for cancers in sensitive or visible areas.

Mohs Surgery

Mohs Surgery in Hermosa Beach, ca

Introduction

Introduction to Mohs Surgery

A skin cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming—but the good news is that most forms are highly treatable when addressed early.

At The Center for Laser and Skin Surgery in Hermosa Beach, Dr. Chelsea Fidai, a double board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs micrographic surgeon, provides precise, tissue-sparing Mohs surgery for patients throughout the greater Los Angeles area.

Few practices offer truly comprehensive, in-house care—from evaluation and biopsy to Mohs surgery and advanced scar refinement. Dr. Fidai’s specialized expertise and integrated approach deliver exceptional precision, continuity, and aesthetic excellence in skin cancer treatment.

A man with dark and graying hair, wearing a white collared shirt, looking thoughtfully to his left. He has a serious expression on his face and is standing against a gray wall. - MOHs Surgery in Hermosa Beach, CA

What is Mohs Surgery?

Mohs surgery is a layer-by-layer technique used to remove skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

During the procedure, Dr. Fidai removes a thin layer of cancerous tissue and examines it immediately under a microscope. If any cancer cells remain, she continues to remove tissue only where cancer persists until the entire area is clear.

This allows for complete removal of the cancer while preserving as much of your healthy skin as possible, which is especially important for visible or delicate areas like your face, ears, or hands.

Who Are the Best Candidates for Mohs Surgery?

Mohs surgery is ideal for our patients in the greater Los Angeles area who have been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, particularly those with skin cancers in cosmetically sensitive or high-risk areas such as the nose, eyelids, lips, ears, or hands. It is also recommended for recurring skin cancers or those with unclear borders, where traditional removal methods are less effective.

Dr. Fidai will evaluate your condition during a consultation to determine if Mohs surgery is the right approach for you based on the cancer’s location, size, and type.

What Are the Benefits of Mohs Surgery?

The biggest benefit of Mohs surgery is its precision. Because each layer is analyzed in real time, this technique achieves one of the highest cure rates of any skin cancer treatment. Patients can feel confident knowing their cancer has been completely removed while minimizing the need for additional surgeries or excessive tissue removal.

Mohs surgery also delivers outstanding cosmetic outcomes, leaving the smallest possible scar. By preserving more of your natural skin, the results often blend seamlessly once healing is complete.

What’s the First Step?

Your Mohs Surgery Journey with Dr. Fidai

The first step in treating skin cancer with Mohs surgery is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Chelsea Fidai at The Center for Laser and Skin Surgery in Hermosa Beach.

During your visit, Dr. Fidai will review your diagnosis, examine the area of concern, and evaluate any previous pathology reports. She will discuss all treatment options, answer your questions, and outline what to expect before, during, and after your Mohs procedure. When appropriate, laser treatments can be incorporated into your post-surgical care to optimize healing and achieve the most seamless, virtually invisible scar.

Once your personalized treatment plan is in place, our team will schedule your surgery and guide you through every step of the process.

To begin, please call our office today to schedule your consultation.

What to Expect on the Day of Mohs Surgery

Dr. Fidai removes one thin layer of tissue at a time, and each sample is examined under a microscope while you wait. If cancer cells are found in the area, another layer will be taken. This process repeats until the cancer is completely cleared.

Once all cancerous tissue has been removed, Dr. Fidai will close the wound to achieve the best possible cosmetic result, sometimes using fine sutures or reconstructive techniques to minimize scarring.

Mohs Surgery Recovery

Your Guide to Post-Mohs Surgery Care

Patients of Dr. Fidai may experience mild swelling, redness, or tenderness for a few days, which can be managed with some over-the-counter pain relief and gentle wound care. Dr. Fidai will provide detailed aftercare instructions, including how to clean and protect the area as it heals. Sutures, if placed, are typically removed within one to two weeks.

As healing progresses, the skin continues to smooth and fade, leaving a more natural-looking result. Most can resume regular activities within a few days, though anything too laborious should be avoided until cleared by Dr. Fidai.

How Much Does Mohs Surgery Cost in Los Angeles, CA?

The cost of Mohs surgery in Hermosa Beach and the greater Los Angeles area varies based on the size, type, and location of the skin cancer, as well as the complexity of the reconstruction required.

Following your consultation, you will receive a personalized cost estimate, and our team will assist you in understanding and navigating your insurance benefits. In most cases, insurance providers cover a significant portion of Mohs surgery, as it is a medically necessary, highly effective treatment.

To schedule your appointment, please call our office today.

Why Choose Us?

At The Center for Laser and Skin Surgery, you receive world-class care rooted in exceptional surgical precision and advanced laser technology. Dr. Chelsea Fidai is a double board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs micrographic surgeon with extensive expertise in both skin cancer surgery and cosmetic laser procedures.

This rare combination of skills allows her to not only remove skin cancer with the highest cure rate, but also to refine and optimize healing with state-of-the-art laser treatments—often leading to scars that are smoother, softer, and virtually undetectable.

Patients choose our practice because we provide:

Expertise in both surgery and advanced lasers for superior functional and cosmetic outcomes
Comprehensive, in-house care from diagnosis and biopsy to reconstruction and scar refinement
Meticulous attention to detail grounded in facial anatomy and aesthetic balance
A modern, comfortable environment where safety, communication, and patient experience come first
A personalized, compassionate approach tailored to each patient’s unique diagnosis and goals

Here, you’re not just receiving treatment—you’re receiving the highest level of dermatologic and aesthetic care, designed to help you heal beautifully and confidently.

Mohs Surgery FAQ’S

Most patients in the greater Los Angeles area are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable Mohs surgery is, as it is performed under local anesthesia. You may notice gentle pressure or a slight tugging sensation as the tissue is removed, but discomfort during the procedure is minimal.

As the anesthetic wears off, mild soreness or tightness may occur for a day or two, though this is typically very manageable. Most patients do well with simple over-the-counter pain medication and experience an overall smooth, easy recovery.
Yes, in some cases. Once the cancer has been fully removed, patients sometimes choose to enhance their cosmetic results with reconstructive or aesthetic treatments.

Dr. Fidai may recommend additional options such as laser resurfacing, scar refinement, or cosmetic dermatology treatments to help the skin heal beautifully and blend seamlessly with surrounding tissue. These options can be discussed during your consultation to plan any additional procedures safely.

To schedule your appointment, please call our office today!

Chelsea has been an amazing Dermatologist with amazing focus and care to ensure skin cancer is eradicated. She has has the empathy and compassion to keep her patients calm and comfortable.

– Rory O.
Dr. Chelsea Fidai did MOHS surgery on me one year ago for skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma) and I healed very well thanks to her! The two photos below were taken less than a year apart. She’s so kind and did a great job on keeping the scaring on my face down with lots of in-house after care. She’s the best!

– Alexandra O.
Dr. Fidai is amazing!! Super attentive and has a great eye! Really knows how to make the best use of the latest technology! I’ve gotten fraxel with her before and I feel like I have a new lease on life (or my skin!). I am now an everyday sunscreen wearer for the first time in my life. Would recommend Dr. Fidai you my closest friends and family for any of their dermatology needs!

– Heather G.
Dr. Fidai is truly the best dermatologist from whom I have received care and treatment. She listens to my concerns and addresses each of them with an understanding and interested manner which I feel makes communication with her very easy. After decades of sun exposure, I now need treatment for skin cancer and aging skin, and Dr. Fidai is walking me through it all. She has now performed 3 MOHS surgeries to remove skin cancer that she found, and 2 were on my face. Much to my relief, her work is so good that I can’t see the scarring! Dr. Fidai also did my fraxel laser treatment to address my aging skin, I was thrilled with those results as well and will schedule another soon.

– Darcy S.

Schedule Your Consultation

If you’re in the great Los Angeles area and you’ve been diagnosed with skin cancer or have a suspicious lesion that needs evaluation, schedule your consultation with Dr. Chelsea Fidai at The Center for Laser and Skin Surgery in Hermosa Beach.

Call the office today to book your appointment and take the next step toward healthy, clear skin.

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