Benign Skin Lesion Removal

Lesions come in many different shapes and sizes and, depending on their location on the body, can cause people to become self-conscious. For some people, it can begin to cause pain and discomfort as well as insecurity.

Whatever your reasons for seeking benign skin lesion removal, a trained surgeon such as Dr Jeremy Richardson will help you get the right treatment for your skin concerns.

What to Expect During Your Consultation

When it comes to skin lesions, it is important to distinguish between benign and malignant (cancerous) skin spots. The type of lesion will help determine which treatment method is right for you. During your first appointment, Dr Richardson will discuss your skin concerns with you and examine your skin for abnormalities. If something unknown is found, you may require a biopsy to identify the lesion.

If your skin lesion is found to be benign, simple excision is often a good option for removal. Dr Richardson will be able to answer your questions as well as provide you with a clear idea of what to expect.

The Procedure

Although it is not usually necessary to remove benign skin lesions, many people wish to have theirs removed by their own voluntary choice. This can be for either aesthetic or comfort reasons. The procedure for benign skin lesion removal is often surgical excision. It generally takes between 10 and 30 minutes and can be performed under local anaesthesia for minor cases, or general anaesthesia for more major cases.

Dr Richardson will make incisions in order to remove your skin lesion, being careful to preserve the surrounding skin and tissue as much as possible. He will then close the incision site with sutures, which may leave some scarring. Patients can generally go home on the day of their procedure, once the anaesthetic wears off.

Cost of Benign Skin Lesion Removal

Since every patient has different skin concerns and requirements, fees can vary. We will have a better idea of the exact fees after we have determined the nature of your skin lesions as well as which surgical methods you will require. If you have more questions about skin lesion removal fees, we can provide further information during your first appointment.

Aftercare

Benign skin lesion removal is a surgical procedure, which means your treated area will need time to heal afterwards. Dr Richardson will tell you how to care for your incision site at home so that you can achieve proper healing and a good outcome. This can include advice such as:

• Keep your wound dry for the first 24 hours
• Wear a wound dressing for six weeks
• Use topical treatments prescribed by Dr Richardson
• Keep your treated skin away from direct sunlight
• Avoid smoking and alcohol
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Avoid aggravating or putting pressure on your wound
• Contact us in the event that any issues arise

Additionally, depending on where your wound is on your body, you may need to:

• Reduce your physical movement for two weeks
• After the first 24 hours, remove the dressing and wash your wound gently with clean water
• Have your stitches removed one to two weeks after the procedure
• Avoid stretching the area for three weeks in order to minimise scarring

Following this advice will help your wound heal quickly and reduce the risk of complications. Dr Richardson will advise when you can shower or bathe and may prescribe pain medication in order to help you with any discomfort. You may also need to attend follow-up appointments.

Risks and Complications

Although the vast majority of patients are happy with the end result, patients should still aim to be aware of the risks involved. Risks of benign skin lesion removal can include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Anaesthesia reactions
• Changes in skin colour
• Poor wound healing
• Large scars
• Recurrence of the lesion