Skin Lesion Removal

Skin lesion removal is a relatively straight-forward procedure which can be carried out under local anaesthetic.

If you have any lesions which you are worried about, or which are affecting your self-esteem, then skin lesion removal treatment may be something you wish to consider. Our experienced plastic surgeons are here to provide information and advice about skin lesion removal, to help you decide if this treatment is right for you.

What is a Skin Lesion?

The term skin lesion refers to any abnormal area of skin and includes anything from blisters and moles, freckles and skin tags, through to conditions such as acne and eczema.

Some lesions are pigmented, which means they are a different colour to the surrounding skin, while others are non-pigmented, so have a different appearance, but are not necessarily a different colour.

Usually, skin lesions do not cause a problem, though if they are in a particularly prominent location, they can impact self-esteem and self-confidence, or cause discomfort if they catch on clothing. Also, some lesions can indicate skin cancer, in which case you will need to check them regularly and seek medical advice for any changes or anything you think is abnormal.

During your first consultation, your skin lesion will be examined by one of our consultant plastic surgeons who will advise whether it is suspicious and discuss next steps with you. If it is suspicious, the lesion can be removed and a sample sent for testing. If it is not suspicious, you can leave the lesion in place or have it removed. Your options can be discussed in detail at your initial consultation. Our team will provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about your treatment.

If you decide to have skin lesion removal, you will be invited back for surgery on a date which is convenient to you.
Treatment will take place at the Spire Manchester Hospital, our state-of-the-art hospital close to Manchester city centre.

You will be given a local anaesthetic to numb the treatment area, and then your plastic surgeon will remove the skin lesion with a scalpel. This involves removing the lesion and small margin of surrounding skin. Our surgeons will follow the outline of the lesion as closely as possible, taking away only the skin that has to be removed.

The wound will usually be left to heal without stitches, so expect a light dressing to be applied immediately after treatment. You will be given instructions for changing the dressing and keeping the area clean and offered a follow-up appointment, usually 7 – 10 days after treatment.

Skin lesion removal does not require an overnight stay in hospital, it’s usually possible to return home an hour or so after treatment, as soon as we feel you are sufficiently comfortable.

It’s a good idea to take it easy for a couple of days so that you avoid stretching or moving the affected area too much. You will be prescribed with painkillers to ease any discomfort you may feel after your treatment.

If your skin lesion is suspicious, it will be removed using the same technique as above, but a sample sent away for testing.
We appreciate that you may be anxious about a suspicious skin lesion, so we will provide answers as quickly as possible. You will usually have the pigmented lesion removal treatment within a few days of your initial consultation and the results of the biopsy back within a fortnight.

The procedure itself carries minimal risk although your consultant will discuss this in detail before your appointment.