Skin lesion removal is often performed when we develop unsightly skin lesions in obvious locations. These lesions can make us self-conscious and can cause distress about our appearance. The most common lesions Dr. Clark encounters in the office are moles and skin tags.
Moles are also known as nevi and are benign (non-cancerous) lesions composed of clusters of pigmented cells.
Skin Tags, also known as acrochordon, are benign tumors occurring on the skin and commonly occur in areas of friction such as body creases and folds.
Xanthelasma are the yellow, cholesterol rich deposits that are under the skin. They’re commonly seen on eyelids and are associated with hyperlipidemia.
Seborrheic keratosis are common benign tumors on the skin that happen in middle to older age adults. They typically present as dark or light brown raised lesions and are often a result of sun exposure.
Usually, these benign lesions can be removed via a simple ellipse excision which leaves a small linear scar; some lesions, like skin tags, can be shaved off at their base. There are rare occasions where removing a lesion could require a skin graft or flap reconstruction and if that were the case, Dr. Clark would discuss why that type of procedure is necessary and what the removal procedure would entail.
Virtually all benign skin lesion removals are done in our office under local anesthetic. The recovery time following skin lesion removal is generally fast, you should be able to return to your regular activities immediately and you can usually shower within 24 hours. Dr. Clark will ask you not to soak the incision area or swim for several weeks after your procedure.
Many of us want these unsightly lesions removed and one of the first questions patients will ask is if insurance will cover the cost of removing them? As a rule, because these benign skin lesions are not a threat to your health and are considered cosmetic, your insurance company will not consider their removal “medically necessary”, therefore they will not cover the cost of removing them. Additionally, Dr. Clark is not an insurance provider for any insurance carrier, so we cannot file an insurance claim for you.
Dr. Clark is an active member of two prestigious professional societies for board-certified plastic surgeons: the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASPS).