Skin Lesion Removals Specialists

What are skin lesions?

A skin lesion is any growth on your skin or a patch of skin that’s different from the normal surrounding skin.  The most common skin lesions are moles, freckles, skin tags, and the dark liver spots that develop as you age.

What are the different types of skin lesions?

Skin lesions are identified based on their color, texture, where they appear on the body, and how they’re distributed. When all the different qualities and the numerous variations of lesions in each category are considered, they add up to at least 40 different criteria to be assessed when identifying a skin lesion.

Dr. Boulware systematically evaluates your skin lesion and examines all of the characteristics, then considers the potential causes of the lesion. If there’s any doubt about whether the lesion is benign or cancerous, he performs a skin biopsy.

When should a skin lesion be removed?

Please don’t wait to contact Dr. Boulware any time you notice these changes that indicate a skin lesion has become precancerous or cancerous:

• Change in existing lesion (change in size, color, shape)
• Lesion that’s painful, bleeding, or cracking
• New lesion with irregular shape or unusual appearance

Most skin lesions are benign (not cancerous), but they may need to be removed if they’re:

• In an area where they’re irritated (bra line)
• Bleeding, itching, or causing other symptoms
• Swollen
• Infectious (warts)
• Aesthetically unattractive

How are skin lesions removed?

After the decision is made to remove a lesion, the procedure can be performed in Dr. Boulware’s office using a technique based on the size and shape of the lesion:

• Shave excision: Skin lesions that rise above the skin can be quickly shaved off.
• Simple scissor excision: Small, curved scissors are used to remove the lesion.
• Skin excision – full thickness: When the lesion grows down into the skin, some of the surrounding tissues is removed to ensure the entire lesion is removed.
• Laser excision: Advanced lasers heat cells in the lesion until they’re destroyed.
• Cryotherapy: Super-freezes cells in the lesion to destroy them.
• Electrodesiccation and curettage: Uses a curette to scrape away the lesion, then electrodesiccation is performed, which delivers an electrical current to stop bleeding.