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How Skin Transplants Work?

A skin transplant in Orange County is also called a skin graft. Skin grafts are a common procedure used for burn victims, those with large wounds, people with skin infections, and those who have skin cancers removed. A skin graft requires the removal of healthy skin from one area of the body to another. This allows the removed portion of skin to have a protective covering restored that blends in naturally with the surrounding skin. Here's what you should know about how skin transplants are done.

Split-Thickness Graft

The first basic type of skin graft is a split-thickness graft. This type of graft removes the top layer of skin called the epidermis as well as part of the dermis, which is the deeper layer. The donor skin is taken from another area of the body with healthy skin. For larger grafts, the skin may be taken from the back, outer thigh, or abdomen. These grafts are typically for large areas and usually don't exactly match the surrounding skin because the skin is paler or shinier in appearance.

Full-thickness Graft

Smaller grafts that are done in more visible areas like the face use a full-thickness graft. This means that all the epidermis and dermis is taken from the donor site. Since the graft is smaller, it's usually taken from around the ear, neck, or forearm where the donor site can be pulled back together and stitched in an area with a natural crease to make the scar less visible. These grafts are often used on the face because the graft blends in better with the surrounding skin.

Graft Procedure

General anesthesia is used during a skin graft and you'll be given pain medications following the procedure. Once you're under anesthesia the surgeon will begin the procedure by harvesting the skin from the donor site. The graft is placed over the transplant area and secured with stitches, staples, or a surgical dressing. Split-thickness grafts often have multiple holes punched in the graft to help it stretch over the area. 

Following a Skin Graft

Following a skin transplant in Orange County, you'll be monitored just as you would after any surgery. The donor site heals in only a week or two since it's just stitched up. The transplant site will take longer to heal, but the graft should start to develop blood vessels that will connect to the skin around it in 36 hours. 

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Topical Skin Products and Cancer

It's common knowledge at this point that exposure to too much sunlight causes skin cancer. The UV rays in tanning beds can also be cancer-causing. The UV rays in both, which cause the skin to produce more melanin for a natural tan, can also increase your risk of skin cancer.

However, this isn't the only cause of skin cancer. Some people believe that exposure to certain products in your skin can increase your risk of skin cancer. However, is this true? Should you be avoiding more than just sunlight? What about makeup, lotion, and other topical products?

If you develop skin cancer, you'll need to pursue skin cancer treatment in Newport Beach, which may include a combination of therapies or surgeries, in addition to reconstructive procedures after you are cured. However, prevention is the best medicine. This is what you should know about what actually causes skin cancer.

What Is Cancer?

People tend to know more about the effects of cancer than what this disease actually entails. Cancer is the formation and spread of mutated cells in the body. DNA in cells will mutate, grow out of control, and form masses. Depending on the location and severity of the cancer, skin cancer can potentially be deadly. 

Skin cancer typically starts at the epidermis, or the top layer of your skin, which protects your entire body. However, it may begin in or spread to the basal cells, or other skin layers underneath your epidermis. Skin cancer treatment will depend on the location, severity, and layer in which the cancer has developed.

What Causes Cells to Mutate?

UV rays in sunlight and tanning beds are the best-known causes of skin DNA mutations. However, your genetics may be a contributing factor. Like many cancers, your potential to develop skin cancer is influenced by your family history. If you have a family member who has undergone skin cancer treatment, you should work hard to avoid sunlight.

There is another potential cause of cancer you should avoid as well. Exposure to toxic chemicals like arsenic can cause the skin cells to mutate. While this shouldn't be a concern for most topical products that you use, you should take care to only use FDA-approved lotions, soaps, and makeup.

If you have more questions about causes of skin cancer, or are concerned that you may be at risk, find a local clinic where you can learn more about skin cancer treatment in Newport Beach.

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How a Skin Graft Can Help You Recover from Cancer?

Skin Grafting for Reconstruction

If you've recently been diagnosed with ear cancer, Orange County might be where you find healing. Having your skin removed can give you the advantage you need, helping remove cancer from your body. However, when you remove cancerous tissue from your ear, an open wound remains as a result of the surgical procedure. In order to close this wound, you may need to go through a reconstruction procedure. Reconstruction all depends on the size, depth, and location of the open wound. The type of skin surrounding the open wound can also affect reconstruction. Depending on the circumstances, multiple techniques can be used to reconstruct your ear and close the open wound. In some cases, a skin graft can be a part of the reconstruction process.

What Grafting Involves

When you need to have a skin transplant, Orange County is where you can go to start the reconstruction process. In order to begin the skin grafting, someone must remove either a section of skin. It will be removed from one section of your body and later placed in the section that needs to be reconstructed. The site where the skin is removed from is called the donor site. Moreover, the site where the skin is placed is called the recipient site. In place of the skin that was removed, a small, straight scar will be left on your body. In most cases, the skin is taken from behind your ear. Behind the ear, the scar can be hidden inside of a natural crease. If you need a larger graft, a piece of skin may be removed from your neck.

Afterward

After you have your skin grafted, there are several stages of healing which you will go through. For the first stages, your body will start to establish circulation with the grafted skin. Since your skin was removed from the body, it needs to reconnect with your veins. This process takes six to seven days. Your grafted skin will look mottled and be colored burgundy or purple. At first, it might appear to be uneven. However, it will level out on its own later on. Next, your body begins to regenerate hair, sweat, and sebaceous glands. Pigment in your skin will return and the skin will reconnect with your nerves. It may take one year to fully heal. In some cases, a part of the graft dies off. Once the dead skin is removed, new skin will grow in its place.

Advantages

After you go through treatment for ear cancer, Orange County might be where you find the assistance you need. One of the advantages is that skin grafting can make reconstruction easier. Your skin will have an easier time healing if you have part of your skin grafted. You also won't need additional incisions. With skin grafting, you won't need to worry about skin flaps. Moreover, the direct closure will have little to no tension.

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Preparing yourself for skin graft surgery in Orange County can be important. Ear cancer in Orange County requires surgery, so look over these tips on preparing.

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No one ever wants to face a fight against cancer, but you aren't powerless. Prevention is the best solution. Although you can't choose your genetics, you can control many other contributing factors. Discover helpful tips for preventing skin cancer!

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A skin transplant in Newport Beach often involves a decent recovery period. Learn more from your Newport Beach surgical center and these suggestions.

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Advances in medical technology have created several new options for skin cancer treatment. These options include nonsurgical, noninvasive programs like radiation therapy. Click here to learn more from the Skin Cancer and Reconstructive Surgery Center.

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Advantages of Non-Surgical Skin Cancer Treatment

Advances in medical technology have created several new options for skin cancer treatment. These options include nonsurgical, noninvasive programs like radiation therapy. Click here to learn more from the Skin Cancer and Reconstructive Surgery Center.

https://visual.ly/community/Infographics/health/advantages-non-surgical-skin-cancer-treatment

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Surgical vs Non-Surgical Skin Treatment

All surgeries carry risk and that’s just one of the reasons many people prefer non-surgical treatments that are effective and offer a number of benefits to patients dealing with the physical and emotional stress of skin cancer. https://visual.ly/community/Infographics/health/surgical-vs-non-surgical-skin-treatment

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5 Symptoms of Skin Cancer

Symptoms of Skin Cancer

Over the past three decades, more people in the United States have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined. Estimates predict that 1 in 5 Americans will have some type of skin cancer over the course of their lifetime. Early detection and treatment are critical to surviving this dreaded disease.

http://visual.ly/5-symptoms-skin-cancer