Mohs Surgery NYC: Minimally Invasive Skin Cancer Treatment
A precise, outpatient surgical procedure for skin cancer
- Last Updated: August 1, 2025
- By Julia Tzu, MD FAAD
A skin cancer diagnosis, like basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma, can be stressful, especially when it affects visible areas like the face and neck. You want it gone, but you also want to preserve your appearance.
At Wall Street Dermatology in Lower Manhattan, we offer Mohs surgery in NYC performed by Dr. Julia Tzu, a triple board-certified dermatologist with advanced fellowship training and board certification in both Mohs surgery and dermatopathology. Her precision ensures complete removal and minimizes scarring.
Patients across New York City trust Dr. Tzu for her proven results and surgical expertise. If you’ve been diagnosed, book a consultation today and take the first step toward expert care.
Mohs Surgery Outcomes
Skin cancer surgery on the face can cause much anxiety for patients because the face is an exquisitely cosmetically-sensitive area. A trained Mohs surgeon can generate excellent aesthetic outcomes on facial areas such as your nose, forehead, eyelids,and cheeks.
Below is a surgery involving the nose, and the post-surgery outcome after approximately 6 months.
Below is a surgery involving the forehead and cheek, and the post-surgery outcome also after approximately 6 months.
What to Expect from Mohs Surgery
Mohs surgery is an outpatient procedure that removes skin cancer one layer at a time, examining each layer under a microscope until all cancer cells are gone. It offers the highest cure rate and preserves the healthiest tissue, ideal for visible or delicate areas.
Phase 1: Preparing for Surgery
- Stop medically unnecessary blood thinners (ibuprofen, fish oil, etc.) 10–14 days before.
- Avoid alcohol for 48 hours; stop smoking if possible.
- Eat a light meal and wear comfortable, easy-to-remove clothing.
- Bring something to pass the time and plan to be at the office for potentially an entire day.
- Most patients can drive, but arrange a ride if your procedure is near the eyes.
Phase 2: During the Procedure
- The area is numbed with local anesthesia.
- A thin layer of skin is removed, processed into slides, and examined for cancer cells.
- Layers are removed only where needed until margins are clear—usually within 1–3 stages.
- The process is precise, minimizing scarring and preserving healthy tissue.
Phase 3: After Cancer Removal & Reconstruction
- The wound is closed using the most appropriate method:
- Natural healing
- Side-by-side sutured closure
- Skin grafts or flaps
- Specialist referral, if needed
- Dr. Tzu will plan reconstruction based on the final wound size and location.
Dermatologist Dr. Julia Tzu’s Perspective on Mohs Surgery
“People are often frightened by the idea of skin cancer surgery, because images of big, unsightly scars come to mind. However, my patients are usually pleasantly surprised by the inconspicuous nature of their post-surgical scars due to my precise surgical technique combined by the minimally invasive nature of Mohs surgery.” – Dr. Julia Tzu, MD, FAAD
Mohs Surgery Cancer Prognosis
Mohs surgery has a 93-97% success rate when it comes to eradicating skin cancer. Excising and examining one layer of tissue at a time ensures complete cancer removal and dramatically decreases the chances of the skin cancer coming back.
Patients who opt for Mohs surgery also typically have a better psychological outcome because the procedure preserves their appearance as much as possible. Combined with the peace of mind from being cancer-free, Mohs surgery patients endure less stress than those undergoing other techniques.
Recovery After Mohs Surgery
Most patients experience a smooth, fast recovery after Mohs surgery. Mild swelling, bruising, or discomfort is common for the first few days and can usually be managed with Tylenol.
Dr. Tzu will provide detailed aftercare instructions, including:
- How to clean the wound
- When and how to change bandages
- How to apply ointment to support healing and reduce scarring
You can typically return to regular daily activities within a few days. However, to promote optimal healing:
- Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for two weeks.
- Watch for signs of infection such as increased redness, pain, or drainage.
If you notice anything unusual, contact Dr. Tzu’s office right away for guidance.
Why Choose Wall Street Dermatology for Mohs Surgery?
At Wall Street Dermatology, our goal is for every patient to leave in the best of health and with the highest confidence. We use the Mohs technique for skin cancer surgery because it produces excellent outcomes with minimal scarring. These outcomes are enhanced by the experience and expertise of our triple board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Julia Tzu.
Under Dr. Tzu’s guidance, Wall Street Dermatology prioritizes each patient by imparting surgical expertise with compassion and respect. Here, you’ll receive exceptional medical treatment.
Contact Wall Street Dermatology to learn more about how Mohs surgery can help you.
Mohs Surgery FAQ
Is Mohs surgery only done on the face?
Mohs surgery may be performed on several areas of the body to treat basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and other types of skin cancers. Areas where Mohs surgery may be the best choice include:
- Near the eyes
- Nose or lips
- Ears or scalp
- Genitals
- Neck
- Hands and Feet
- Anywhere on the face
Can the Mohs surgery wound heal without stitches?
If the surgical wound is small enough, Mohs surgery can heal without stitches. However, most Mohs surgery wounds will require stitches or other techniques to help them close and heal properly.
How Long is Mohs surgery?
Mohs surgery can take between half a day to the entire day. The actual Mohs surgery itself only takes several minutes, and the reconstruction of the surgical wound can take 30 minutes. Most of the time is spent waiting for the processing and analysis of the tissue specimen.
How Much Does Mohs Surgery Cost in NYC?
For self-pay, the cost of Mohs surgery and reconstruction in NYC typically starts at $5000. The actual cost will depend on the number of Mohs surgery layers taken and the complexity of the reconstruction. Since Mohs surgery is considered medically necessary, it’s usually covered by insurance. However, coverage varies based on what kind of health insurance you have, and one’s out-of-pocket financial responsibility depends on whether there is an unmet deductible.
Schedule a Mohs Surgery Consultation in NYC Today
Choosing Wall Street Dermatology for your Mohs surgery means choosing unmatched expertise, personalized care, and exceptional outcomes. Led by Dr. Julia Tzu, a triple board-certified dermatologist and one of the few in NYC with dual fellowship training in both Mohs surgery and dermatopathology, our practice offers a level of precision and cosmetic finesse that few others can match.
Don’t settle for less than the highest standard of care, book your Mohs surgery consultation with Dr. Tzu at Wall Street Dermatology today.