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In Mission Viejo, we have great weather all year, but all that sunshine increases ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is a major risk factor for skin cancer. At Natural Image OC, we believe healthy skin is beautiful skin, so we offer treatments for skin cancer and precancer in Mission Viejo to protect our community from these skin conditions.
At our practice, we provide individualized patient care. Our dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Sikorski, listens to her patients and understands their individual risk factors and concerns, which allows her to create a personalized prevention and treatment plan. We believe everyone deserves healthy skin.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. It occurs as abnormally sized skin cells form, which is often due to UV radiation damage. The most common forms of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma.
BCC is rare, but it can grow slowly and usually appears as a pearly or waxy bump on sun-exposed areas, such as the face, neck, and ears. SCC often appears as a firm, red nodule or a scaly, crusty patch that also occurs on sun-exposed surfaces and is more likely to spread than BCC. Melanoma develops in melanocytes, which are the cells that make pigment and can be a new mole or a change in an existing mole. Early detection and treatment are important for melanoma prognosis, as it is the deadliest skin cancer of all.
These are the skin cancer and precancer concerns we most commonly see in our Mission Viejo patients and can support you through when coming to our practice.
The rough, scaly patches on sun-damaged skin are precancerous skin conditions, also called actinic keratoses (AKs). Skin cancer can develop from precancerous lesions when left untreated. Recognizing and treating AKs may prevent skin cancer and precancer. Skin cancer treatment starts with early detection. Noticing suspicious moles or skin changes requires frequent self-exams and professional skin checks. Our practice recommends residents of Mission Viejo get regular skin exams and watch for signs of skin cancer and precancer.
A typical comprehensive skin exam at Natural Image OC’s practice involves a review of your medical history. We will discuss your personal and family history of skin cancer and any other relevant medical conditions. Then, we will visually examine your entire skin surface, including areas not normally exposed to sunlight. We may use a dermatoscope, which is a magnifying device for examining moles and other skin lesions. If we see anything that needs a closer look, we may recommend a biopsy. Biopsies help us further examine our patients to determine if any skin cancer or precancer is present.
Treatment for skin cancer or precancer depends on the type and stage. Cryotherapy can treat some superficial skin cancers. Others may need an excision or surgical removal of cancerous or precancerous lesions. Mohs surgery is a very precise surgical technique for removing skin cancers, especially for BCCs and SCCs in very sensitive areas. Mohs surgery involves removing individual layers of the tumor to test for cancerous lesions.
Creams or lotions may treat some superficial skin cancers. When you visit Natural Image OC in Mission Viejo for skin cancer and precancer treatments, we will customize your treatment plan based on your unique situation.
Skin cancer and precancer are preventable through the following skin protection strategies, especially during the peak sun hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.:
Applying these strategies can help protect Mission Viejo residents from developing skin cancer and precancer.
Natural Image OC’s master injector, Dr. Sikorski, also provides cosmetic treatments, including fillers and injectables, thread lifts, and laser treatments. All these treatments are aesthetic but complement healthy skin. We can discuss all these options during your consultation.
Contact our practice today to review your concerns about your skin or to schedule a skin exam. Together, we can work to protect you from skin cancer and precancer in Mission Viejo.
Dr. Sikorski offers cosmetic & dermatology procedures to patients in all Orange County communities. We provide facelifts, neck lifts, blepharoplasty, CoolSculpting, and other surgical and nonsurgical procedures. Schedule your cosmetic dermatology consultation today!