Scar Revision
Many patients suffer from unsightly scars. These may be due to facial trauma, previous skin cancer, or unsatisfactory results from previous facial cosmetic surgery. Dr. Bustillo uses the most up to date techniques to help disguise unsightly scars.
Treatment usually begins with a surgical excision of the scar under local anesthesia or mild IV sedation. The area is then closed using specialized techniques, which helps to camouflage and or redirect the scar in a direction that is more favorable and less noticeable.
Occasionally, a resurfacing technique is applied to the area approximately 6 weeks after the procedure, to enhance the results. This is carried out in the office under local anesthesia and involves either dermabrasion or a chemical peel.
Skin Cancer Reconstruction
Dr. Bustillo is an expert in the area of skin cancer reconstruction.
Skin cancer often affects the face due to its constant exposure to the sun. There are two main types of skin cancer. Non-melanoma skin cancer includes basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The other main type is melanoma.
Non-melanoma skin cancer ( basal or squamous cell carcinoma )is typically removed from the skin using a Mohs technique. This is a specialized form of surgery typically performed by specially trained dermatologist. After the mohs surgeon has removed the skin cancer, the patients are then reconstructed by Dr. Bustillo.
Dr. Bustillo uses different techniques to reconstruct the defect, depending on the size, shape, and location. They range from skin grafts to local skin flaps that may be used to camouflage the defect to help blend it to the surrounding structures.
Melanoma skin cancer is typically handled in a different manner. Because it is a more aggressive cancer, metastasis must be ruled out at the time of diagnosis. Local metastasis may be assessed by local node mapping using radioisotopes. Distant metastasis are usually assessed using CT scans as well as PET scans. Once this has been done, Dr. Bustillo removes the lesion with margins, and then reconstructs the defect using skin grafts or local flaps.