This story was originally published in July 2018 and was updated in September 2026.
If you’ve been diagnosed with skin cancer on your face, you may be worried about how it should be treated and whether there will be lasting scars. The good news is that most facial skin cancers are highly treatable, and with the right specialist, the chances of having a full recovery — including a cosmetic outcome that you’re happy with — are usually very good.
The bad news is that too many people needlessly increase their risk of developing skin cancer. A recent study found that more than one-third of adults report intentionally tanning outdoors, and that rate rises to more than 50% among women between the ages of 18 and 24. Evidence also suggests an increase in the use of tanning beds, driven largely by social media. Experts warn that these trends will lead to more skin cancer diagnoses in the years ahead — including skin cancers on the face, one of the most common areas where skin cancer develops.
“It’s important to carefully weigh all of your options,” says Memorial Sloan Kettering dermatologic surgeon Erica Lee, MD. “It is your face, after all, and the outcome of your care can affect how you feel about yourself.”
Dr. Lee shares what every person with facial skin cancer should understand when choosing a skin cancer specialist.
What type of skin cancer do you have?
The type of skin cancer you have will determine your treatment plan. It also influences how quickly you need to act.
Most skin cancers on the face fall into two categories:
“Basal cell carcinomas tend to grow slowly, but some subtypes may grow deeper than others,” Dr. Lee says. “If you have a basal cell carcinoma, you should get it treated in a timely way, but there’s no need to rush to the doctor that same week.”
Certain forms of squamous cell carcinoma can grow more quickly, which makes discussing the timing of treatment with your doctor a priority.
Melanoma is a less common and far more serious type of skin cancer. “Melanoma is a different situation entirely,” Dr. Lee cautions. “If you have melanoma, make an appointment with a specialist. Early treatment is usually recommended.”
Should you get a second opinion on the pathology tests analyzing your cancer?
In some cases, getting a second opinion on the pathology of your skin cancer may change your diagnosis. This can affect your entire treatment plan.
Skin cancer is diagnosed by studying tissue from a skin biopsy. During the biopsy, a small sample is collected. The sample is sent to a pathologist, who examines the cells under a microscope.
MSK has teams of pathologists who specialize in particular cancers. MSK also uses genomic tests to understand the molecular characteristics of a cancer. Knowing if a melanoma is caused by malfunction in a certain gene can determine the best treatment.
In most cases, pathologists are confident in their diagnoses. But in cases when the cancer cells look unusual or the pathology is inconclusive, getting a second opinion on the pathology becomes important.
Dr. Lee says you can ask your doctor whether the pathology was definitive. If they say it was not, that’s an indication that a second opinion is probably worthwhile.
You can also review your pathology report yourself. Look for language that signals uncertainty. “Also be on the lookout for phrases such as ‘most in keeping with’ or ‘features of,’” Dr. Lee says. This terminology indicates that the pathologist formed a hypothesis but wasn’t absolutely certain.
“One of the benefits of coming to MSK for care is that we review the pathology,” she adds. “Most of the time we confirm the original diagnosis, but occasionally we do see differences that lead to a change in diagnosis.”
Why should you be treated by a fellowship-trained dermatologic surgeon?
Starting with a fellowship-trained dermatologic surgeon — rather than a general physician or plastic surgeon — gives you the best chance of complete cancer removal and the best possible cosmetic outcome.
“Sometimes people go right to a plastic surgeon when they have something on their face,” Dr. Lee explains. “But skin cancer can grow wider than anticipated, making complete removal tricky.”
You should look for a board-certified dermatologist who has fellowship training and board certification in skin oncology and dermatologic surgery. This combination of credentials reflects advanced, focused training that goes beyond standard training in dermatology.
“Dermatologists who have completed a dermatologic surgery fellowship tend to have the most experience with facial cancers,” Dr. Lee says. “Ask your dermatologist for a referral to a dermatologic surgeon or seek treatment at a medical center with dermatologic surgeons on staff.”
Fellowship-trained dermatologic surgeons are experts in delicate skin-sparing procedures that can better preserve your appearance while also making sure that all of the cancer is removed. They are also skilled in reading pathology, Dr. Lee points out, which gives them an excellent understanding of how cancer grows so they can ensure that they are removing all of it.
And if you do need a plastic surgeon, a dermatologic surgeon will be able to advise you.
What are the treatment options for skin cancers on the face?
Among the most common treatments for facial skin cancer is Mohs micrographic surgery. Mohs surgery involves removing the cancer in thin layers. This approach helps preserve healthy tissue and has a very high cure rate.
“Mohs can be a lengthy process, taking several hours or longer,” Dr. Lee says. “I do everything I can to keep my patients comfortable and inform them of how things are going at each step.”
Dr. Lee adds that not everyone with skin cancer on the face will need Mohs surgery. “There may be other treatment options that are right for you. It’s OK to ask. And if you do have options, ask your doctor to explain the pros and cons of each before you make your decision,” she says.
Other treatment options for facial skin cancer may include:
- Surgery to excise (cut out) the cancer
- Radiation therapy
- Topical treatments like creams (for some early-stage cancers that are only on the surface)
- Curettage and electrodesiccation (scraping and sealing with heat)
For skin cancer on the nose or eyelid, however, Mohs is often the best option. “The nose and the eyelid are tougher areas to treat for a variety of reasons,” Dr. Lee says. “It takes finesse to achieve excellent cosmetic results in these areas. Removing a cancer from the eyelid also has a lot of challenges related to how the eyelid functions and feels to the patient after the surgery.”
When should you seek multidisciplinary care for skin cancer on the face?
If your facial skin cancer is large, is near sensitive structures like the eye, involves nerve tissue, or requires significant reconstruction, you may need a team of specialists — not just a single dermatologist. A comprehensive cancer center is the best place to get that coordinated care.
Complex facial skin cancer treatment may involve several types of specialists working together:
- Plastic surgeons, who may get involved when the cosmetic challenges are significant.
- An ocular surgeon or an oculoplastic specialist, who may be needed if you have a skin cancer close to the eye.
- A head and neck surgeon, who may join your care team if there is nerve involvement or if the cancer is too large to treat under local anesthesia.
“The benefit of a comprehensive cancer center like MSK is that the expertise is all here,” Dr. Lee says. “We have a multidisciplinary program especially for people with complex skin cancer. You can usually see all of your doctors on the same day. The dermatology team works with you to coordinate your appointments with your schedule.”
Key Takeaways
- Most facial skin cancers are highly treatable, but seeking care from a fellowship-trained dermatologic surgeon, rather than a general physician or plastic surgeon, gives you the best chance of complete cancer removal and a favorable cosmetic outcome.
- The type of skin cancer you have determines your treatment plan and urgency, with melanoma requiring immediate attention from a specialist.
- A second opinion on your skin cancer pathology can sometimes change your diagnosis entirely, so reviewing your pathology report for uncertain language and seeking expert review is an important step in ensuring that you get the right treatment plan.
- Complex facial skin cancers involving sensitive areas, nerve tissue, or significant reconstruction are best treated at a comprehensive cancer center, where a coordinated team of specialists can collaborate on care.