Skin Lesion Removal/Scar Repair

Skin Lesion Removal

Skin lesions are defined as a growth of the skin, anyplace on the body. A lesion may be benign, premalignant, or malignant, and the differentiation is very important. Often times the diagnosis can be determined by a clinical exam. However, all lesions removed by a Skin Essentials physician are sent to the pathology lab for final diagnosis because although the lesion may appear to be benign, it could be malignant.

A benign lesion will not spread, and generally does not become malignant even if it is not removed. Moles can grow in size, and often increase in numbers as we age. A flat brown area could signify smoking damage, sun damage, or hyperpigmentation caused by hormones and can most of the time be treated by an advanced skin care program suggested by your Skin Essentials provider.

A premalignant lesion is one that often turns malignant with time, and should be removed for that reason. This lesion is usually caused by advanced sun damage, is flat, scaling and red, and is likely to deteriorate in time. A malignant lesion frequently grows larger with time and can spread to other areas of the body.

Distinguishing benign moles from melanoma:

To prevent melanoma, it is very important to self examine your skin on a recurring basis. Becoming more familiar with moles, and other skin conditions will help you to better identify changes. Moles that are displayed at birth and atypical moles have a greater chance of developing into a malignant mole.

ABCD Chart

Be aware of changes in your moles, by following this ABCD Chart. This is imperative in detecting malignant melanoma at its earliest phase. The warning signs are:

Skin Lesion Chart

Melanomas will vary in appearance so while some may show all of the ABCD characteristics, others may only show changes in one or two characteristics. Always consult your physician for a proper diagnosis.

Removal of Skin Lesions

Skin lesions must be evaluated to determine the correct technique for treatment, as some lesions may require examination under a microscope by a pathologist.

  • Full Thickness Excision - This is the removal by a scalpel, of a section of skin involved by the lesion. The opening in the skin is closed with sutures.
  • Shave Excision - Sometimes it is unnecessary to entirely remove the skin around the lesion, and in this case, a “dermablade”, similar to a flexible razorblade, is used to remove the superficial part of the skin. No sutures are required, and the area typically heals within 7 days with ointment dressings.
  • Punch Biopsy - A cylinder of skin is removed with a sharp metal tube that can entirely remove small lesions, and take samples of larger ones that may need to be analyzed to determine the correct treatment. No sutures are required, and the area heals within 7-10 days with an ointment dressing.
  • Lamprobe - Treatment involves heating the lesion with radio-frequency waves from a small probe touched to the lesion for a few seconds. No dressing is required, and the lesion “scabs” should fall off within a few days.

When someone has a growth on their face, they are usually worried about the ultimate scar. This is why the cosmetic removal of skin lesions is always done by a plastic surgeon at Skin Essentials. Most of the time scars heal nicely, and patients are pleased with their final result.

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Scar Revision

Anytime the skin is deeply cut, whether by an injury or surgical procedure, healing occurs by the formation of scar tissue. It is sometimes possible to improve the appearance of an unsightly scar through "scar revision".

Your Skin Essentials physician will be able to evaluate these conditions and give an expert opinion on whether this procedure is able to give you the improvement you desire. If you think scar revision is an option for you, please contact your Skin Essentials provider for more information.

Examples of scar revision procedures include the improvement and/or repair of the following:

  • Traumatic injuries, resulting from accidents
  • Piercings that have been damaged and need repair such as "split earlobes"
  • The closure of piercings that are no longer desired
  • Scars from surgical procedures that have healed in an unsightly manner

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