It is often necessary to cut small, superficial nerves during the removal of the skin cancer. These nerves provide sensation to the skin, but they do not perform motor functions. For a majority of patients, abnormal sensations are minimal or not observed. Occasionally, you may experience numbness, tingling, or a crawling sensation in the months after the procedure as nerves grow back. For a minority of patients, it can take up to 1-2 years for normal sensation to return. While for a lesser minority, normal sensation does not completely return.