BENIGN SKIN LESION & MOLE REMOVAL
Whether you were born with a mole, making it a birthmark, or you’ve recently developed new moles, you may be wondering about the mole removal process. Our expert board-certified dermatologists and board-certified Dermatology PA at Aspire Dermatology & Aesthetics, in Orange City, Florida, remove moles and blemishes safely and efficiently while aiming for the best cosmetic result. To discuss how you can achieve the clear skin you’ve always wanted, schedule your consultation by requesting an appointment online or by calling our office.
Call Today! 386-628-DERM (3376)
Benign Skin Lesion & Mole Removal Q & A
Our bodies can develop lesions in various areas for many reasons, and while they may not always be harmful to us, they can often be unsightly and embarrassing. At Aspire Dermatology & Aesthetics, we offer benign lesion removal to the residents of Orange City, Florida, and the communities nearby in Central Florida. When you develop a malignant lesion on your body, the required treatment is usually surgery, however, not all lesions are harmful and need to be removed. At Aspire Dermatology & Aesthetics, we understand the desire to want to eradicate certain blemishes and imperfections, such as skin tags, warts, moles, and other skin growths or conditions. That’s why we offer benign lesion removal to help remove various kinds of skin lesions from the body.
What are Benign Skin Lesions?
Benign skin lesions are common noncancerous growths that are mostly common in older adults. They can appear in many shapes, sizes and colors. Many growths develop over a short period of time. Some growths can become irritated or bleed when your clothing rubs against them. Some common benign skin lesions include:
- Seborrheic keratoses
- Sebaceous hyperplasia
- Cosmetic moles
- Milia cysts
- Skin Tags
- Milia, cysts / bumps on the face Skin tags
- Cherry angiomas
- Hyperplasias
- Dermatosis papulosa nigra
How are benign skin lesions and moles removed?
How are moles and lesions removed? Mole or lesion removal is an in-office procedure that’s typically performed with a local anesthetic. The type, location, and size of your lesion are the primary factors that help determine which method is best for removal. The most frequently used lesion removal methods include:
Shave excision: Primarily used for bumps and similar lesions that rise above the skin, this procedure uses a small blade to cut out the lesion. Simple scissor excision is a similar method that may be used for more pronounced raised lesions, including raised moles.
Surgical excision: This method is used to remove moles and lesions that extend down into the deeper layers of skin. It usually involves removing a small margin area of normal tissue around the lesion, particularly when cancer is a concern. Skin excisions are often closed with stitches.
Cryotherapy: This technique destroys the tissues of skin lesions by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. It’s generally used to remove warts and AK lesions, but it can also be used to remove moles.
Electrocautery: We use an electrical current to destroy, burn, or cut out skin cells.
Laser surgery: We use one of our state-of-the-art CO2 lasers to destroy skin lesions.
What is involved in excision of a skin lesion?
Your provider at Aspire Dermatology & Aesthetics will explain to you why the skin lesion needs excision and the procedure involved. The most common type of excision is an elliptical excision. The ellipse is designed so that the resulting scar runs parallel with existing skin creases. This ensures that the scar is as narrow and short as possible. Your provider will then cut around and under the lesion so that it is completely removed. The lesion is placed in formalin and sent to a pathology laboratory. Here, a pathologist will examine the specimen and provide your dermatologist with a report a few days later. The edges of the ellipse will then be sewn together to make a thin suture line. There may be two layers of sutures (stitches) – a layer underneath that is absorbable and a layer of sutures on the surface which will need to be removed in 7-14 days. A dressing might be applied and instructions should be given on how to care for your wound and when to get the stitches out.
Will I have a scar?
It is impossible to cut the skin without scarring in some way, so you will always have some sort of scar. Your dermatologist at Aspire Dermatology & Aesthetics will try to excise the lesion in a way that will keep the scar to a minimum. Some people have an abnormal response to skin healing and these people may get larger scars than usual (keloid or hypertrophic scarring). If this occurs, your dermatologist can counsel you on treatment options.
Is Benign Skin Lesion & Mole Removal covered by insurance?
We are happy to discuss the most appropriate, efficient, cosmetically appealing method of treatment. Cosmetic fees usually apply to these treatments as most insurances do not cover these benign growths.
If you have a mole that you would like to have removed, we welcome you to schedule an appointment at Aspire Dermatology & Aesthetics to discuss your treatment options. Call the office or book a consultation online today.
