Surgical Procedures

When you need a surgical procedure, trust the experts at North Texas Dermatology:

Cyst Removal Mole Excision

Skin Cancer Removal Skin Tag Removal

Wart Removal

Cyst Removal

Cysts are small lumps beneath the skin that contain fluid or solid material. They’re found mostly on the face, neck or trunk. They often arise from swollen hair follicles or skin trauma. They are usually painless but may become inflamed and tender. A cyst may become infected and require drainage and – sometimes – surgical removal.

Mole Excision

Moles are removed if there is a suspicion of skin cancer, if they become irritated by shaving or clothing, or for cosmetic reasons. There are two main methods used for mole removal. A dermatologist can advise which is best for your condition.

Shaving:  This is the most frequently selected method. In most cases it tends to produce optimal cosmetic results. First, the skin around the mole is injected with anesthetic to take away minor pain. Then a sharp scalpel is used to precisely remove the raised and pigmented mole tissue.

Excision:  Moles are removed with the underlying and surrounding skin and then stitched. Elliptical excision (the mole and surrounding tissue are removed in the shape of an oval) may be recommended if there is suspicion of melanoma. It is also useful when there is a risk of mole re-growth, re-pigmentation or uneven skin contours with shave excision.

Skin Cancer Removal

If a biopsy shows a cancerous or potentially cancerous lesion, it should be removed, either with liquid nitrogen, chemotherapeutic creams or by surgical removal. Larger skin cancers or cancers on or near?? the eyes, lips, nose or ears may be referred to a specially trained dermatologist called a Moh’s surgeon.

Surgery ensures that deeper layers of the lesion and surrounding tissue are removed appropriately. During surgery, care is made to keep scarring to a minimum. Surgery usually takes less than one hour and is done under local anesthetic in the office.

Skin Tag Removal

Skin tags are soft, skin-colored growths that hang from the surface of the skin on a thin piece of tissue called a stalk. They are not cancerous and will not become cancerous. They sometimes appear as people age or after a pregnancy, most often on the neck, armpits, torso, beneath the breasts or in the genital region. They can become irritating or unsightly. Skin tags may be removed with medical scissors or a sharp blade. Sometimes they are removed with liquid nitrogen.

Wart Removal

Warts are caused by the human papilloma virus. They may develop on people of all ages anywhere on the skin. Dermatologists most commonly use liquid nitrogen, surgical excision, electrosurgical removal or blistering agents in the office to treat warts. Sometimes prescription strength salicylic acid may be used by patients at home in addtion to these treatments. Most warts require repeated treatment every three to four weeks for permanent removal.