If you have a growth on your skin that is unattractive or poses a health risk, removal can be completed using various methods. Depending on the type of lesion, shave excision may be recommended as a minimally invasive option to remove moles, tumors or other skin growths. This method allows the growth to be removed and tested for disease if necessary, versus cryotherapy and other procedures that destroy the skin cells. At MJR Dermatology, Dr. Matthew Reschly performs shave excision treatment for moles and other growths at our medical center in Lawrenceville, GA.
The most common reason shave excision is performed is to remove suspicious moles that may contain cancerous or pre-cancerous cells. While this method of removal can be used for many types of growths, there may be better options for skin tags and other lesions that are not potentially cancerous. During this procedure, a razor-like instrument is used to shave or slice the growth, carefully removing it from the skin. Unlike Mohs surgery and other full skin excision procedures, only the top layer of skin is removed with the growth, reducing the appearance of scarring.
Mole and Skin Lesion Excision
During a shave excision, Dr. Reschly will numb the skin with local anesthesia to minimize any discomfort. The anesthesia is injected near the mole or skin tumor, both numbing the skin and projecting the growth for easier removal. Dr. Reschly will carefully slice the growth with horizontal strokes to remove it from the skin. Once it is completely shaved off the skin, he may use electrosurgical techniques to feather the edges of the wound to reduce scarring.
After a shave excision procedure, the wound will be cleaned with antiseptic applied and covered with a bandage. The removed growth will likely be sent to a laboratory for testing and examination to determine if there were any cancerous cells with the mole or tumor. The wound will heal over the following weeks, and scarring is usually minimal due to the surgical skill of Dr. Reschly.
If you need a suspicious mole or other skin growth removed, you can trust the expertise and experience of Dr. Reschly for your procedure. To schedule a shave excision consultation, contact our team at MJR Dermatology. Call our medical clinic located in the North Atlanta area near Gwinnett and Duluth in Lawrenceville, GA, to book your appointment.