Get Your Glow Back Following Mohs Surgery

 

Pink Magazine — The Glow Up
Special Section 2025  |  November 2025 Issue
By EJ Goodwin
Photography by Charlotte Berkeley

The Lowcountry is a place where salty breezes, fresh seafood, and sun-kissed skin are part of everyday life. But for some, those golden rays come with a hidden risk: skin cancer. When a diagnosis leads to surgery, many wonder: what happens next? How do you get your natural glow back?

Fortunately, there’s a highly effective treatment that not only removes skin cancer but also helps preserve your natural appearance: Mohs surgery. And when paired with reconstruction done by a plastic surgeon, patients can truly get their glow back.

What Is Mohs Surgery?
Mohs micrographic surgery—named for Dr. Frederick Mohs, who developed the procedure—is a specialized technique used to treat basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, the two most common types of skin cancer. It’s especially useful in delicate areas where preserving healthy skin is critical, like the face or hands.

During the procedure, a Mohs surgeon—typically a dermatologist trained in the specialized method—removes thin layers of skin and examines each layer under a microscope. If cancer cells remain, another layer is removed. This continues until the cancer is completely gone, and patients leave the surgeon’s office knowing their skin is cancer-free.

When Plastic Surgery Becomes Part of the Journey
While Mohs surgery is incredibly effective, it can leave behind wounds or defects that vary in size and visibility. That’s where experts like Dr. Heidi Harrington, a board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon at Beaufort Memorial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics in Okatie, come in.

“Patients often choose Mohs surgery when the cancer is in a location where preserving healthy tissue is critical,” Dr. Harrington explained. “Those locations are usually on the face, where it’s not easy to put the skin back together without some visible deformity. That’s when a plastic surgeon may become involved with the process.”

Whether the defect is small or more complex, plastic surgery reconstruction can help restore the skin’s natural appearance. Dr. Harrington works closely with Mohs surgeons to plan and perform these reconstructions that are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and tailored to each patient’s individual needs and desires.

Planning Ahead for Best Results
One of the most important steps in the Mohs journey is preparing for reconstruction before the cancer is removed. Dr. Harrington emphasized that patients should meet with a plastic surgeon ahead of time to discuss options and coordinate care.

“The time to meet with me is before the cancer is removed,” she said simply. “That way, patients are prepared for what’s next, and we can plan the best approach for reconstruction.”

Depending on the size and location of the wound, reconstruction may be simple—done in-office with local anesthesia—or more involved, requiring advanced techniques or even a skin graft.

Reconstructive Options That Restore Confidence
Mohs surgery is known for minimizing scarring, but when the cancer affects areas like the nose, lips, or eyelids, plastic surgery can make a significant difference in the outcome—and the patient’s confidence.

There are a few reconstructive plastic surgery options, including skin flap reconstruction (repositioning healthy skin near the surgical site to cover the wound), skin graft (a piece of skin taken from another area of the body to repair a larger wound) and specialized procedures for very delicate areas such as the face, nose and eyelids. “Every person is unique, and so is every reconstructive surgery following Mohs,” Dr. Harrington said. “Understanding your needs and your aesthetic goals helps us create a plan that leaves you feeling confident in your skin.”

Achieving a natural look after Mohs surgery is a collaborative process. It requires coordination between the Mohs surgeon and the plastic surgeon to ensure the best medical and cosmetic outcomes, Dr. Harrington noted.

“Skin cancer may look like a small spot, but it’s often larger beneath the surface,” she said. “That’s why the defect left behind can be bigger than expected. Having a plastic surgeon involved can help manage those surprises and restore your appearance.”

While not every skin cancer case requires Mohs surgery or plastic surgery reconstruction, patients should know that options exist to restore both function and appearance.

And for many, the journey doesn’t end with cancer removal—it continues with a reconstruction that can bring back their confidence and glow.

Dr. Harrington added, “As a plastic surgeon, one of the most rewarding parts of my job is walking through transformations like this with a patient. Whether it’s cosmetic or reconstructive, helping someone feel better about themselves and seeing them shine again, that’s what makes it all worthwhile.”

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Dr. Heidi Harrington practices with Beaufort Memorial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics in Okatie and can be reached at 843-707-8020. For more information visit BeaufortMemorial.org/PlasticSurgery