If you have an unwanted skin lesion, you may be wondering which type of healthcare provider you need to see to have it removed? You might be surprised to learn that removing skin lesions is a relatively simple surgery that a dermatologist like Dr. Perri of Perri Dermatology performs every day! This simple, in office procedure, doesn’t even require you to go under general anesthesia!
How Does a Dermatologist Remove a Skin Lesion?
There are a few ways that Dr. Perri may remove your unwanted skin lesion. These include:
- Simple scissor excision
For the easiest skin lesions to remove, dermatologist Dr. Perri may opt for simple scissor excision. This technique may be used if your skin lesion rises above your skin or is on the upper layer of your skin.
With skin excision, Dr. Perri will first numb you with a local anesthetic, so you don’t feel a thing. Next, he’ll grab the lesion with small forceps, and slightly pull it up to separate it from the rest of your skin. Then he’ll use the scissors to cut it off.
Remember, you’ll be completely numbed during this procedure so that you won’t feel a thing. Once Dr. Perri is done removing the lesion, he’ll apply medicine to stop any bleeding you may be experiencing, and if blood vessels are open, use a cautery to
shut them. Your dermatologist will rarely need to place stitches with simple scissor excision.
- Skin excision – full thickness
If your unwanted skin lesion is down on the deeper level of the skin, Dr. Perri may decide to not only remove the lesion but a small area surrounding it so that during a biopsy, if cancer cells are found in the lesion, he can determine if they’ve spread, too. With full thickness skin excision, Dr. Perri again numbs the area, then uses a scalpel to remove about 3 to 4 mms around the lesion – in the shape of a football – to make sure he’s excised enough lesion and normal skin to be biopsied.
With full thickness skin excision, it’s more likely you’ll need dissolvable stitches placed. Don’t worry, Dr. Perri is very skilled at placing stitches.
- Curettage and electrodesiccation
If you don’t need a full thickness skin incision, Dr. Perri might try a less invasive approach. Curettage and electrodesiccation basically allow Dr. Perri to scrape or scoop out the lesion.
There’s No Need to Live with a Skin Lesion You Either Don’t Want or Concerns You
Whether you have a skin lesion you feel is unattractive or draws undue attention, or you’re concerned it may be cancerous, Dr. Perri wants to help. By visiting him for an initial appointment to evaluate the lesion, he can best choose which removal option is right for you and schedule an appointment to remove the lesion for good.
If you’re ready to have a skin lesion removed, don’t delay. Call Perri Dermatology today to schedule an initial appointment at (281) 943-2749.
