How To Get Rid Of Skin Lesions

Skin Lesion Removal

Definition

This is the removal of an abnormal growth on the skin, called a lesion, for medical or cosmetic reasons. Skin lesions can include warts, moles, cancers, and skin tags.

Melanoma Excision

Reasons for Procedure

Lesion is precancerous or cancerous
Lesion has created a chronic skin irritation
Cosmetic preference

Possible Complications

Problems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems, like:

Bleeding
Scarring
Changes in skin color
Infection
Poor wound healing
Nerve damage
Recurrence of the lesion

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

Smoking
Suppressed immune system
Bleeding disorders
Circulatory problems

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

Generally, no special preparation is required.

Anesthesia

Local anesthesia will be used. It will make the area numb.

Description of the Procedure

The area will be cleaned. The skin surrounding the lesion will be numbed by anesthesia. Techniques for skin lesion removal vary depending on the reason for removal and lesion location. Common techniques include:

Removal with scalpel—The lesion is cut away with a surgical knife.
Laser surgery—A high-energy beam destroys skin tissue.
Electrosurgery—This is the use of an electrical current to selectively destroy skin tissue.
Cryosurgery—A cold liquid or instrument is used to freeze and remove the lesion.
Curettage—This is the scraping of the skin with a circular cutting loop instrument.
Mohs micrographic surgery—This is used to examine suspected cancerous lesions. Small pieces of tissue are successively removed and then viewed microscopically for signs of cancer. The goal is to get all the cancer tissue and leave as much healthy tissue as possible.

After the lesion is removed, stitches may be used to close the hole left in the skin. A bandage will be placed over the area.

How Long Will It Take?

This depends on which procedure is used. Most are completed within 20 minutes.

Will It Hurt?

Anesthesia prevents pain during the procedure. You may have some discomfort at the surgery site after the procedure.

Post-procedure Care

When you get home:

Keep the area clean and dry. Keep it covered with a sterile bandage for 1-2 days.
Take pain medication if necessary.
Follow any special care instructions to prevent infection.

Stitches will be left in the skin for 3-14 days, depending on where they are located.

Call Your Doctor

It is important to monitor your recovery. Alert your doctor to any problems. If any of the following occur, call your doctor:

Signs of infection, including fever and chills
Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision site
Pain that you cannot control with the medications you were given
New or unexpected symptoms

If you think you have an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.

Resources

American Academy of Dermatology
https://www.aad.org

Skin Cancer Foundation
http://www.skincancer.org

Canadian Resources

Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca

Canadian Dermatology Association
http://dermatology.ca

References

Diagnostic tests for skin disorders. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic-disorders/approach-to-the-dermatologic-patient/diagnostic-tests-for-skin-disorders. Accessed September 5, 2019.

Melanoma. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/melanoma. Accessed September 5, 2019.

Pickett H. Shave and punch biopsy for skin lesions. Am Fam Physician. 2011;84(9):995-1002.

6/2/2011 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance https://www.dynamed.com/management/treatment-for-tobacco-use-19: Mills E, Eyawo O, Lockhart I, Kelly S, Wu P, Ebbert JO. Smoking cessation reduces postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2011;124(2):144-154.

EBSCO Medical Review Board Donald W. Buck II, MD
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