Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay Undergoes Treatment for Skin Cancer

The 58-year-old television personality revealed he was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer.

Television personality and chef Gordon Ramsay poses at the Gordon Ramsay Burger booth at the 11th annual Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appetit Grand Tasting event in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 28, 2017. Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appetit

British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has urged his fans and followers to protect their skin after undergoing a procedure to remove a cancerous mass from the side of his face.

Ramsay, 58, shared the health update in an Aug. 30 Instagram post, which featured two photos taken after his surgery. In the first image, a bandage can be seen covering part of his chin and neck, while the other reveals stitches just below his earlobe.

“Grateful and so appreciative for the incredible team at The Skin Associates and their fast reactive work on removing this Basal Cell Carcinoma,” the restaurateur wrote.

“Please don’t forget your sunscreen this weekend,” he added, quipping that he did not get a facelift. “I’d need a refund,” he joked.

Basal cell carcinoma develops in the skin’s basal cells, which are located at the bottom of the epidermis—the outermost layer of skin, the Mayo Clinic reports. The cancerous masses often develop on areas of the body that are commonly exposed to the sun, such as the face and neck.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, affecting approximately 3.6 million people in the United States each year alone.

The tumors are usually slow-growing and rarely spread to other parts of the body if caught and treated early. However, “certain rare, aggressive forms can be fatal if not treated promptly,” the foundation notes on its website.

Following his skin cancer announcement, Ramsay received a flurry of supportive messages in the comment section.

“So glad you are safe and thanks for the reminder!” wrote cookbook author Megan Keno.

“I hope everything is ok,” added chef Kori Sutton, noting that she recently lost her mother to cancer. “I pray you can stay safe and healthy.”

“Glad to hear you’re doing well, Gordon, and thanks for raising awareness of how important it is to stay safe in the sun,” the nonprofit organization Cancer Research UK commented. “Seek shade, cover up, and apply sunscreen regularly and generously.”

Ramsay is well-known for the fiery on-screen persona he brings to his cooking shows, including “Hell’s Kitchen,” “MasterChef,” “Kitchen Nightmares,” and “Next Level Chef.” His latest series, “Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service,” debuted on Fox in May.

Ramsay also owns more than 80 restaurants around the globe, including Hell’s Kitchen and Ramsay’s Kitchen in Las Vegas, and Street Burger in Washington, D.C.

The Michelin-starred chef and his wife of almost 30 years, Tana Ramsay, have six children: Megan, 27; twins Holly Anna and Jack Scott, 25; Matilda, 23; Oscar James, 6; and Jesse James, who turns 2 in November.