Mohs Dermatology
in Chattanooga
The highest cure rate available for most skin cancers. Performed in a single visit by our experienced surgical team.
Established 1973 • 3 locations • 5 MDs + 6 NPs + 2 PAs • BBB A+ • Board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology.
Mohs Dermatology is the most precise, tissue-sparing way to treat most skin cancers. It offers a cure rate above 99 percent for primary basal and squamous cell carcinomas, the highest of any skin cancer treatment. The procedure is completed in a single visit, under local anesthesia, in our Chattanooga and Cleveland offices. You go home the same day, often with the smallest scar possible.
LEarn About MOHS
What Is Mohs
Dermatology?
Mohs surgery, developed in the 1930s by Dr. Frederic Mohs, is a specialized form of skin cancer surgery that removes cancer one thin layer at a time. After each layer is removed, your surgeon examines it under a microscope to check for any remaining cancer cells. If cells are still present, only the affected area is removed in the next layer.
This precision delivers two major benefits. First, the highest possible cure rate. Second, the smallest possible wound, because healthy tissue is preserved.
When Mohs Surgery Is the Right
Mohs is especially well-suited for skin cancers in the following situations:
Cosmetically sensitive areas
Face, ears, lips, eyelids, scalp, hands, feet, and genitals, where preserving healthy tissue matters most.
Cancers that have come back
Recurrent basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas that have returned after previous treatment.
Cancers with unclear borders
Tumors where the visible edge does not match the actual extent of the cancer.
Aggressive or large cancers
Tumors with aggressive growth patterns, or cancers larger than 2 centimeters.
Patients with weakened immune systems
Where higher cure rates are critical.
What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
Plan to spend a few hours with us. Most Mohs procedures take a single visit, but the timeline depends on how many layers need to be removed and the complexity of the closure.
Step 1 — Numbing. The surgical area is numbed with local anesthetic. Most patients feel a brief pinch and nothing more during the procedure.
Step 2 — First layer removed. Your surgeon removes a thin layer of tissue, including the visible cancer.
Step 3 — Microscopic exam. While you wait comfortably, the tissue is processed and examined. This step typically takes 30 to 60 minutes.
Step 4 — Repeat if needed. If cancer cells remain, only the affected area is removed in the next layer. The cycle continues until the tissue is clear.
Step 5 — Closure. Once the area is cancer-free, your surgeon closes the wound with the technique that gives the best cosmetic result. Most patients go home with stitches that are removed at a follow-up visit.
POST SURGERY
Recovery and Aftercare
Most patients return to normal activity within a few days, though strenuous exercise should typically wait one to two weeks. Your team will give you detailed wound care instructions and schedule a follow-up visit to remove stitches and check healing. Scar care guidance is provided to help your skin heal as cleanly as possible.
Frequently asked Questions
We perform Mohs surgery at our Chattanooga and Cleveland offices. The procedure is not currently offered at our Kimball location, but Kimball patients are warmly welcomed at the other two offices.
The procedure itself is painless because the area is fully numbed with local anesthetic. Some patients have mild soreness during recovery, which is typically managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Most Mohs procedures take 2 to 4 hours, including waiting time between layers. Plan for a half-day visit. We recommend bringing a book, headphones, or a friend, and eating before you arrive.
Some scarring is unavoidable, but Mohs surgery typically produces the smallest scar possible because so little healthy tissue is removed. Your surgeon will use closure techniques designed for the best cosmetic outcome, and we provide detailed scar care guidance during recovery.
Mohs is covered by Medicare and most private insurance plans for medically appropriate cases. Our team will verify your benefits before scheduling your procedure.
Request a Mohs
Surgery Consultation
Tell us a little about your situation. Our surgical team will contact you as soon as possible.