"Skin Tags"
Removing Moles and Other Growths Mon, May 23 2011
Dermatologists are experts at all aspects of skin care, including removing growths or tumors on the skin. Because we are experts at visual diagnosis and about the behavior of skin growths we can use one of many options to remove growths from the skin.
The first step is to make an accurate diagnosis visually. If there is concern about cancer, of course removal is recommended including a biopsy for the laboratory. If the growth is benign but “in the way� or unwanted, we have several options:
-Cryotherapy: we can freeze with liquid nitrogen. This works well for skin tags, warts, and seborrheic keratoses.
-Excision: after giving a numbing injection we can remove the growth surgically. In some cases we can ‘sculpt’ the growth to the level of the surrounding skin and treat the area with a medicine to stop any bleeding. In other cases we need to go a bit deeper and put in stitches.
-Laser: some things are better treated with laser. This is true for vascular growths, like angiomas, and in many cases lentigines (sun spots). However, although laser is a ‘neat’ thing to use, its not for everything. Surgical treatments are often better.
Dermatologists customize these methods depending upon the type of growth, the location, the patient, and their needs. These procedures are all done nearly painlessly, while you are awake, in our own office, making for a safe and convenient as well as cost effective experience.
Feel free to ask for more information!
