Dermatology Surgery Procedure Information

At Omniya Clinic in London

Dermatology surgery can be complicated, but if you choose Omniya Clinic for your treatment, you will benefit from high-quality services that addresses your concerns in the most appropriate manner. We have a team of highly skilled, friendly and experienced dermatologists who provide procedures that include curettage and cautery, as well as skin biopsies, excisions of moles, and shave biopsies or excisions.

Curettage & Cautery

Some of the lesions that can be treated are as follows:

  • Skin tags
  • Keratoacanthoma
  • Basal cell carcinomas
  • Actinic keratoses
  • Pyogenic granuloma
  • Squamous cell carcinoma in situ
  • Viral warts
  • Seborrheic keratoses

When you have this treatment, your doctor will explain why the skin lesion requires treatment and the procedure that is involved. We will always begin with a consultation so that we can understand your medical history and you can ask any queries that you have. Local anaesthetic will be injected into the area around the lesion that is going to be treated. This will ensure that the skin goes numb so that you do not feel any pain while having the procedure. You may experience a pushing sensation, but this will not cause any pain. A curette is used to scrape off the skin lesion. A curette is like a small spoon with sharp edges.

Will I Have A Scar?

It is likely that you will have some sort of scar after curettage, especially if it is accompanied by cautery. The scars tend to be round and flat. They will be similar in size to that of the original skin lesion.

Skin Curettage Aftercare

You may find that the wound is a bit tender once the local anaesthetic has worn off. You should leave the dressing in place for as long as your doctor has advised. This will typically be around 24 hours. Avoid stretching of the area and strenuous exertion. If there is any sort of bleeding, press firmly onto the wound with a folded towel and make sure you do not look at it for around 20 minutes. You should get in touch with us if it is still bleeding after this time. It is important that the wound is kept dry for 48 hours. It should then be washed gently and dried. If the wound becomes very painful or red, consult your doctor. There will be no stitches to remove after curettage.

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Skin Biopsies

Main Skin Biopsies:

Excision Biopsy – A doctor will use a scalpel, which is a small knife, to remove an area of abnormal skin or an entire lump. This includes a portion of normal skin through or down to the skin’s fatty layer.

Punch Biopsy – A doctor will use a circular tool so that a small section of skin is removed. This includes deeper layers.

I.e. superficial fat, dermis, and epidermis.

Shave Biopsy – A doctor will use a tool that is like a razor in order to get rid of a small section of your skin’s top layers.

I.e. a portion of the dermis and epidermis.

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Why May You Need A Skin Biopsy?

Skin biopsies are used to either rule out or diagnose skin diseases and conditions. They can also be used in order to get rid of skin lesions. A skin biopsy can be required in order to help treat or diagnose skin disease and conditions such as:

  • Warts
  • Suspicious moles or other growths
  • Skin tags
  • Infection
  • Cancers (skin), including melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma
  • Psoriasis, dermatitis, and other inflammatory skin conditions
  • Bullous pemphigoid and other blistering skin disorders
  • Actinic keratosis

What To Expect From Skin Biopsies

Depending on where the skin biopsy is located, you may be asked to change into a clean gown. Your doctor will then clean the area of the skin that is going to be biopsied. We may use a surgical marker in order to mark the skin. You will then receive a local anaesthetic so that the biopsy site is numbed. You should not feel any discomfort or pain during the skin biopsy.

The exact procedure will depend on the type of biopsy you are going to have. If you are having an excisional biopsy or a punch biopsy, the procedure will involve the top layer of fat beneath the skin being cut into. Because of this, to close the wound, stitches may be required. An adhesive bandage or dressing will then be placed over the site so that bleeding is prevented and the wound is protected.

If you are having a shave biopsy, your doctor will use a scalpel, double-edge razor, or a sharp tool to cut the tissue. The depth of the incision is going to differ depending on the part of the body being biopsied and the type of biopsy. A shave biopsy will cause bleeding. However, pressure will be applied to the area in order to stop the bleeding. Topical medication may also be applied to the biopsy site.

Caring For The Biopsy Site While It Heals

While the site of the biopsy is healing, make sure you do the following:

  • Use an adhesive bandage, which will enable the skin to ventilate, to cover the site.
  • Use a clean towel to pat the site dry.
  • Rinse the site well.
  • Use soap and water to wash the biopsy site. You should use shampoo if the biopsy site is on your scalp/
  • Make sure you wash your hands with water and soap before you touch the biopsy site.