Excision
Dr. Johnson performs in-office skin excisions to safely remove certain skin cancers and other skin lesions to achieve the best possible outcome.
Expert removal. Personalized care.
Some skin growths require complete removal for diagnosis, treatment, or comfort. Dr. Johnson is a board-certified dermatologist who performs in-office skin excisions to remove certain skin cancers, cysts, lipomas, atypical moles, and other skin lesions.
Our focus is on removing the lesion safely while achieving the best possible functional and cosmetic outcome.
What is a skin excision?
A skin excision is a minor surgical procedure that removes a skin lesion along with a safety margin of tissue around the lesion to make sure every microscopic cell is removed. The area is then carefully closed with stitches to promote proper healing.
Excisions are performed using local anesthesia in our office.
Excision, at a glance.
An excision is a common and straightforward procedure. Here’s what to expect.
Perfect for
Atypical/dysplastic moles, skin cancer, growing or irritated lesions
Procedure Time
45 min.
Recovery Time
Up to 2 weeks with stitches and limited exercise
Excision FAQs
Dr. Johnson may recommend an excision if you have:
- Skin cancer
- Suspicious or atypical mole
- Epidermoid (sebaceous) cyst
- Lipoma
- Certain benign skin growths
- Recurrent lesions
Your treatment recommendation depends on the diagnosis, size, location, and characteristics of the lesion.
During your visit, we will:
- Numb the treatment area, including the safety margin, with lidocaine injections.
- Remove the lesion.
- Close the incision with sutures when needed
- Provide detailed wound care instructions
- Send tissue to the pathologist to make sure the margins are clear. If a lesion is not cancerous or pre-cancerous, like a cyst or a lipoma, then the lesion is removed without taking any extra tissue. The lesion is still sent to the pathologist for an accurate diagnosis.
Most procedures are completed during a single office visit.
The area is numbed before the procedure, so most patients feel little to no discomfort during treatment.
Many excisions require stitches to help the skin heal properly and produce the best possible cosmetic result.
After excisions are performed, you will have stitches so you’ll want to make sure that the wound is without strain or tension. We advise you to avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, or other strain on the wound while you have stitches (up to two weeks).
You will have a bandage that should stay in place until your stitches are removed. You will not need to remove and replace the bandage daily. You may shower like normal after the excision.
Most patients return to normal daily activities quickly.
Healing time varies depending on the size and location of the excision. Mild soreness is common for the first few days, and stitches are removed or will dissolve based on the type of closure used.
We will provide personalized follow-up instructions to help support proper healing and minimize scarring.
Need a skin growth evaluated?
Whether you have a changing mole, cyst, or another skin lesion, be sure to get them examined by a board-certified dermatologist. Steele Dermatology provides expert evaluation and in-office surgical treatment when appropriate. Schedule your consultation today.
Request an appointment
Schedule online, call (770) 464-6000 or text us, and one of our specialists will assist you.
