Dermatologic Surgery

What is dermatologic surgery?

Dermatologic surgery refers to the surgical aspects of dermatology, which can include procedures like mole removal, cryotherapy, biopsies, and excisions of various benign and cancerous skin growths.

If you require dermatologic surgery, your procedure will be performed from the comfort and convenience of the office under local anesthesia. 

What is dermatologic surgery used for? 

Biopsies

Many skin conditions, including skin cancer, require a biopsy to get an accurate diagnosis. If your provider recommends a biopsy, they will take a tissue sample from your skin and send it to a lab for further testing. There are many types of biopsies, including excisional, incisional, shave, and punch biopsies.

Mole removal

While most moles are harmless, they may be removed for cosmetic reasons or if there is reason to suspect that they are abnormal. Moles may be removed using a technique known as shave removal or by surgical excision. Regardless of the technique used, or the reason for removing the mole, the tissue will be sent to a lab for evaluation by a skin pathologist. 

Cryotherapy for warts and actinic keratosis

If you have a wart or actinic keratosis, your provider may recommend cryotherapy to remove them. Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the affected area, which causes peeling or blistering. As your skin recovers, the lesion or wart falls off, and new, clear skin appears.  

Surgery for skin cancer

If your provider identifies any potentially cancerous moles, growths, or spots on your skin, a biopsy is often performed to gain further information about the type of skin cancer present. Early detection and treatment of skin cancer leads to better cures and outcomes.  Procedures for actinic keratosis

This skin condition causes red, rough, scaly patches (keratoses) on your skin. These patches can develop into squamous cell carcinoma. These patches are most often removed by cryotherapy. The Center for Dermatology also offers photodynamic therapy where a solution is applied to the skin and activated using blue light. In some cases, treatment for actinic keratoses may involve creams instead of surgical methods. 

Surgical removal of cysts and benign growths

The Center for Dermatology also offers surgical options for the removal of cysts and other skin growths. 

Removal of skin tags

While skin tags don’t pose a health concern, they can be uncomfortable or unsightly. If you have skin tags that you would like removed, they can be removed with a minor procedure. 

Wart removal

Many warts go away on their own with time. However, you may want to get rid of a wart sooner rather than later. To do this your provider may use cryotherapy to freeze the wart or may remove it under local anesthesia.  

To schedule a consultation, call the Center for Dermatology at 770-682-2500 or request an appointment online today.