At the Skin and Hair Medical Care clinic, the treatment of benign skin lesions—such as papillomas, moles, cysts, lipomas, seborrheic keratoses, cherry angiomas, and others—is carried out using the following methods.
Laser removal with CO2
Today, the CO2 laser is used by specialized dermatologists–venereologists to remove benign lesions (such as keratoses, warts, etc.), to eliminate lesions that do not require biopsy material (like papillomas), and for the surgical removal of benign lesions while preserving the specimen intact for histopathological evaluation/biopsy, strictly following the principles of excision with healthy margins. Thanks to the precisely focused infrared light beam, accurate vaporization of the lesion is achieved without affecting the surrounding healthy tissue. Healing is therefore rapid, and recovery time is minimal. After the local destruction of the lesion, a crust (similar to a scab) remains, which will fully heal over the following days according to your dermatologist’s instructions, without leaving a scar. After CO2 laser treatment, protection from UV radiation is necessary until the skin has completely healed.
In summary, some key features of CO2 laser treatment include:
Selective Targeting: Repeated CO2 pulses allow for selective control over the depth of light penetration, enabling the specialist to adjust how deep the skin is affected.
Gradual Removal: CO2 pulses enable gradual and precise skin removal, minimizing damage to the surrounding tissue.
Tissue Regeneration: CO2 treatment promotes collagen regeneration, helping improve skin texture.
Skin Renewal: CO2 laser removal helps restore the skin’s appearance while allowing close monitoring of the treated tissue and requiring minimal recovery time.
Shave excision (tangential excision)
Shave excision is a surgical method that offers an effective and minimally invasive solution for removing lesions showing signs of dysplasia. The dermatologic surgeon applies local anesthesia and then removes the protruding part of the lesion, ensuring removal of the cells beneath the epidermis. The physician then uses a blade or specialized tool to carefully and precisely excise the lesion, maintaining a smooth skin contour. In most cases, shave excision is performed before CO2 laser removal to fully remove the lesion within healthy tissue margins.
The excised lesion is sent for histopathological evaluation to determine its type.
Recovery period: Recovery after shave excision is usually brief. The dermatologist will provide care instructions for the area, along with any necessary medication or follow-up.
Surgical excision
Surgical removal of benign skin lesions is an effective and safe method for correcting skin abnormalities caused by various factors such as cysts, lipomas, moles, and other lesions. This procedure, performed strictly by experienced dermatologic surgeons, allows for effective removal with minimal impact on surrounding healthy tissue. Surgical excision is the most appropriate method for lesions that are large, deep, or located in sensitive areas where careful handling is essential. It is also used for lesions with potential or suspected malignancy. All excised lesions are sent for biopsy to be examined by a pathologist.
Recovery: After the procedure, the patient is monitored to ensure proper healing. Recovery time depends on the type and extent of the surgery. During follow-up, the patient must return to the clinic for dressing changes and eventual suture removal.
Note: After surgical excision and suture removal, a scar will remain. Therefore, the use of a regenerative cream is recommended to help reduce the appearance of the scar.
In every case, the decision for surgical removal must be made after a thorough discussion with the surgeon, provided that the patient has been fully informed about the pros and cons of each method. The decision should take into account the specific needs and personal preferences of the patient.
Many times, patients wish to remove lesions that may concern or bother them aesthetically. However, in certain cases, the disadvantages may outweigh the benefits. For this reason, the dermatologic surgeon must fully inform the patient, as the removal of a lesion may potentially result in a greater cosmetic issue than the lesion itself.