Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer, but it is also the least dangerous when caught early. At Noor Dermatology & Aesthetics in Cary, Dr. Zain Husain, MD and his team treat BCC effectively and with minimal disruption to your life. Patients drive from Durham, Chapel Hill, and Morrisville to see him for skin cancer care.

A Word from Dr. Husain

“I have treated thousands of basal cell carcinomas over the years. The patients who do best are the ones who don’t panic and don’t wait. Most BCCs are small, slow, and completely curable with a quick in-office procedure. My job is to make sure you leave with healthy skin and peace of mind.”

Dr. Zain Husain, MD
Board-Certified Dermatologist, Noor Dermatology & Aesthetics

What Is Basal Cell Carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma starts in the deepest layer of your epidermis. It grows slowly and almost never spreads to other parts of your body. But here is the thing. If you ignore it, it can grow deep into surrounding tissue and cause damage to nerves, blood vessels, and even bone.

The good news? It is highly treatable, especially when caught early. Dr. Husain has helped hundreds of patients from Raleigh, Apex, and across the Triangle get back to healthy skin with straightforward, comfortable care.

What Does Basal Cell Carcinoma Look Like?

BCC doesn’t always look the same. Here is what Dr. Husain looks for during a skin exam.

You might notice a small, shiny bump that looks pearly or waxy, almost like a scar but raised. Sometimes it bleeds easily, forms a crust, or just never seems to heal completely. Other times, BCC shows up as a flat, flesh-colored or brown patch that looks like an old scar, or a pink growth with a slightly rolled edge and a crusted dip in the center.

“If you have a spot that bleeds, scabs, heals, then bleeds again, that is worth showing me,” Dr. Husain says.

What Causes Basal Cell Carcinoma?

The short answer: sun exposure over time.

The longer answer: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds damages the DNA in your skin cells. That damage builds up over years. Eventually, it can trigger mutations that tell your basal cells to grow out of control.

Other things that raise your risk include having fair skin (though anyone can get BCC), a family history of skin cancer, a weakened immune system, or past radiation exposure.

How Is Basal Cell Carcinoma Treated at Noor Dermatology?

Dr. Husain personalizes every treatment based on the size, location, and depth of the cancer. In most cases, it is a straightforward procedure done right in our Cary office.

Mohs micrographic surgery is one of our most precise options. Dr. Husain removes the cancer layer by layer, examining each layer under a microscope right then and there. This means we take only the cancerous tissue, not healthy skin, which is especially important for BCC on the face, ears, or nose.

Other options include simple surgical removal, topical medications for very superficial BCC, and in rare cases, radiation therapy.

“I will walk you through every option and recommend what is best for you, not a one-size-fits-all approach,” says Dr. Husain.

The Single Best Thing You Can Do: Protect Your Skin

Here is a truth Dr. Husain shares with every patient: most BCCs are preventable.

The sunscreen you wear today protects the skin you will have years from now. We carry a range of medical-grade sunscreens in our online store and at our Cary office. They are designed to be comfortable enough to wear every single day.

 Browse our Sunscreen Collection →

Dr. Husain also recommends:

• Wearing a hat and UPF clothing when you are outside for more than 15 minutes

• Seeking shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

• Skipping tanning beds entirely (yes, even “just once”)

Concerned About a Spot? Let Dr. Husain Take a Look.

If you have a bump or patch that is bleeding, crusting, or just not healing, don’t wait. Most of the time it is nothing serious. But if it is BCC, treating it early means a simpler procedure and better cosmetic results.

Call our Cary office today or request an appointment online. Dr. Husain will get you in, take a look, and give you a clear answer.

 Noor Dermatology & Aesthetics – Cary, NC