Cosmetic Dermatology

  • Non-Cancerous Lesions (Cosmetic Only) Includes:

    • Benign Moles

    • Skin Tags

    • Cherry Angiomas

    • Sebaceous Hyperplasias

    • Seborrheic Keratosis

  • Most of these procedures take about 5 to 20 minutes. Sometimes the more complicated procedures, can take a few hours. Most people can go back to their normal routine on the same day or the day after the procedure.

  • Skin lesion removal is a procedure to remove growths from the skin. There are many ways the doctor could have done this.

    After your procedure, you should not have much pain. But some soreness, swelling, or bruising is normal. Your Practitioner may recommend over-the-counter medicines to help with any discomfort. Most people can return to their normal routine the same day of their procedure.

    How quickly your wound heals depends on the size of your wound and the type of procedure you had. Most wounds take 1 to 3 weeks to heal.

  • Activity

    • For the first few days, try not to bump or knock your wound.

    • Depending on where your wound is, you may need to avoid strenuous exercise for 2 weeks after the procedure or until your doctor says it is okay.

    • If you have had a lesion removed from your face, do not use makeup near your wound until your wound closes.

    • Ask your Practitioner when it is okay to shower, bathe, or swim.

    Medicines

    • Your Practitioner will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. She will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines.

    • If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your Practitioner will tell you when to start taking it again.

    • Take pain medicines exactly as directed.

    • If the Practitioner gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.

    • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your Practitioner if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.

    Wound Care

    • Keep the wound bandaged and dry for the first day.

    • After the first 24 to 48 hours, wash around the wound with clean water 2 times a day. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.

    • You may cover the wound with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage.

    • Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.

    • If a scab forms, do not pull it off. Let it fall off on its own. Wounds heal faster if no scab forms. Washing the area every day and using the petroleum jelly will help prevent a scab from forming.

    • If the wound bleeds, put direct pressure on it with a clean cloth until the bleeding stops.

    • If you had a growth "frozen" off, you may get a blister. Do not break it. Let it dry up on its own. It is common for the blister to fill with blood. You do not need to do anything about this, but if it becomes too painful, call us immediately.