Lesions of the face and neck, such as skin tags, moles (nevus or nevi), age spots (seborrheic keratosis), cysts, and precancerous lesions (actinic keratosis) are common. Even though many of these lesions are benign, meaning they are not a malignancy or cancer, their appearance is often still bothersome. Because many of these lesions are located on a cosmetically sensitive areas of the face patients often prefer to be treated by a specialist with dedicated training in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.
As a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Harmych is an expert in treating all benign and malignant facial skin lesions.
Who is a candidate for Skin Lesion Removal?
Any patient that has a neck or facial skin lesion that is either cosmetically bothersome or concerning for skin cancer or other serious condition may be a candidate for removal of the skin lesion.
How is a Skin Lesion Removal performed?
Most neck and facial skin lesions can be removed under local anesthesia in our Pepper Pike office. Sedation or general anesthesia is rarely required and usually reserved for lesions that have already been proven to be skin cancer. Techniques for removal are variable and dependent on the type, location and extent of the lesion and are tailored to each individual patient’s needs. The most common techniques used to remove benign (non-cancerous) skin lesions include shave excision, CO2 laser ablation and simple excision. Any lesion that is worrisome for skin cancer is sent for microscopic examination by a pathologist for diagnosis. Cancerous lesions always require removal with a margin of normal tissue around the lesion.
What is the recovery like from Skin Lesion Removal?
The recovery period is variable and dependent on the type of lesion and treatment used for removal. Dr. Harmych is meticulous and diligent about postoperative wound care and will discuss this with you in detail during the consultation. Sutures are often not required. However, if sutures are used they are removed within one week. Activity may be restricted for 1-2 weeks. Most patients are able to return to work and social activity on the same day. To prevent pigmentation of the wound, use of sunscreen is recommended for the first year after treatment.
