Plastic surgeons commonly remove benign skin lesions from their patients.
Even though these lesions are harmless, many people want them taken out for cosmetic reasons.
If you are about to undergo this type of procedure, here's some information regarding what you may expect from your doctor.
There are several different methods of mole and lesion removal that plastic surgeons use.
The particular approach taken in your case will depend on the size and type of growth.
Some of the techniques include shave excision, freezing (also known as cryotherapy), laser treatment, surgical excision and repair, and burning, which is also referred to as electrocautery.
If the lesion is more superficial, many plastic surgeons will opt for shaving.
However, in order to completely remove the lesion or mole, and reduce the chances of a recurrence, surgical excision is typically the preferred method.
In this procedure, the lesion is removed and then the edges of the skin are sutured together in a straight line.
This technique also ensures that enough tissue will be removed so that it can be properly evaluated to make sure there are no cancerous cells.
Cryotherapy is another method of treating superficial lesions.
It does not require anesthesia.
There are some instances, however, where plastic surgeons will prefer to use electrocautery.
If this is the procedure your doctor will use, then he or she will have to apply a local anesthetic.
Because different areas of the body heal differently, the part of your body being treated will have a large bearing on what method is used.
For example, the face tends to heal with less scarring than other areas of the body.
It is very difficult, however, to determine just how much any particular patient will scar.
Some people will have very light scarring, while others will have scars that can last indefinitely.
In many instances, plastic surgeons will recommend using a thin layer of topical silicone to reduce scarring.
Patients usually use it starting about 10 days after the surgery has been performed.
No matter what kind of procedure you have, your doctor will want to make sure that it is not cancerous.
In order to reduce your chances of developing a disease, there are several simple steps that you can take.
One of the best ways to minimize your risk, of course, is to stay out of the sun as much as possible.
If you need to be outside, apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes beforehand.
Reapply every two hours so that it retains its effectiveness.
If you plan on being in the water or you sweat heavily, then you will need to reapply it more often.
Even though these lesions are harmless, many people want them taken out for cosmetic reasons.
If you are about to undergo this type of procedure, here's some information regarding what you may expect from your doctor.
There are several different methods of mole and lesion removal that plastic surgeons use.
The particular approach taken in your case will depend on the size and type of growth.
Some of the techniques include shave excision, freezing (also known as cryotherapy), laser treatment, surgical excision and repair, and burning, which is also referred to as electrocautery.
If the lesion is more superficial, many plastic surgeons will opt for shaving.
However, in order to completely remove the lesion or mole, and reduce the chances of a recurrence, surgical excision is typically the preferred method.
In this procedure, the lesion is removed and then the edges of the skin are sutured together in a straight line.
This technique also ensures that enough tissue will be removed so that it can be properly evaluated to make sure there are no cancerous cells.
Cryotherapy is another method of treating superficial lesions.
It does not require anesthesia.
There are some instances, however, where plastic surgeons will prefer to use electrocautery.
If this is the procedure your doctor will use, then he or she will have to apply a local anesthetic.
Because different areas of the body heal differently, the part of your body being treated will have a large bearing on what method is used.
For example, the face tends to heal with less scarring than other areas of the body.
It is very difficult, however, to determine just how much any particular patient will scar.
Some people will have very light scarring, while others will have scars that can last indefinitely.
In many instances, plastic surgeons will recommend using a thin layer of topical silicone to reduce scarring.
Patients usually use it starting about 10 days after the surgery has been performed.
No matter what kind of procedure you have, your doctor will want to make sure that it is not cancerous.
In order to reduce your chances of developing a disease, there are several simple steps that you can take.
One of the best ways to minimize your risk, of course, is to stay out of the sun as much as possible.
If you need to be outside, apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes beforehand.
Reapply every two hours so that it retains its effectiveness.
If you plan on being in the water or you sweat heavily, then you will need to reapply it more often.