Skin Lesions

While most skin lesions are benign, they be unsightly or irritating and may be best removed. Some skin lesions are more sinister and may be cancerous. Skin cancers, especially melanoma can be fatal if left alone. If you are unsure about a skin lesion it is best to contact your GP, who may refer you to a hospital doctor for treatment. You can also make a consultation direct with our lead surgeon, Vivek, and he will be happy to advise you regarding the lesion and remove it without delay if there is any suspicion of skin cancer.

Benign lesions

Many benign lesions include moles, skin tags, warts, cysts or kerratoses: these  lesions may be unsightly or irritating, but and can be removed in a variety of ways. In most cases a small local anaesthetic injection is required before the lesion is then cut out or shaved off, however as a Laser expert Vivek may recommend removing the lesion with a Laser, which often leads to better healing and less scarring.

Skin CancerTreatment

Skin cancers can be of a variety of types: most are curable by being fully removed, but a minority will progress and can be fatal. It is very important that you seek an opinion if you are worried about a skin cancer. You can either see your GP, who will then refer you to a hospital doctor for treatment or, alternatively, book an appointment to see Vivek and he will carry out treatment for you without delay.

To find out more about skin cancers, click here.

Except for some benign lesions, which can be treated by laser, the majority of skin lesions will need excision, which unfortunately his will leave a scar. Scars can be red initially and take a year or so to settle and fade. Some people scar worse than others and occasionally thick bulky scars (hypertrophic) or painful, itchy (keloid) scars can result. It is important that anyone you choose to excise a lesion gives you the best scar possible, and by choosing an experienced Consultant Plastic Surgeon like Vivek you are maximising your chances of getting a good scar.

Reassurance

The vast majority of skin lesions prove to be benign and even the vast majority of skin cancers will not cause any further problems once removed - only a very small percentage go on to give further problems. However, if you are worried then please make an appointment as soon as possible