From £1050 (excluding histology)
Removal of Skin Lesion
Between 30 and 60 Minutes
Local anaesthetic
Usual Activities by 1 Week
Shave excision is a surgical procedure used to remove superficial skin lesions.
This method is often used for lesions that are raised above the skin and do not extend deep into the skin layers, for example raised moles and skin tags.
It involves shaving the mole off using a scalpel, and no stitches are required. We may cauterize the area to stop any bleeding. This method may leave a small scar.
Before the procedure, you will have a consultation with one of our consultant dermatologists or plastic surgeons to evaluate the skin lesion and discuss the treatment plan. If a shave excision is the preferred treatment option, it may be possible to combine the consultation with the procedure as a ‘see and treat’ appointment which can be more convenient and cost-effective. This can be discussed at the time of booking the consultation.
The shave excision will be undertaken under local anaesthesia in one of our two state-of-the-art operating theatres. This will numb the area to ensure minimal pain or discomfort. Using a sharp blade or scalpel, the consultant will carefully shave off the lesion from the surface of the skin. The blade is angled parallel to the surface of the skin to avoid cutting too deep into the skin. The depth of the shave will be determined by your consultant’s judgement when assessing the characteristics of the lesion. The area may be cauterised to stop any bleeding following the procedure.
You may be left with a small scar following treatment.
After your procedure, you will be given personalised aftercare guidance from your consultant. This will vary depending upon the procedure you’ve had. It is very important that you follow the aftercare advice to achieve the optimum results.
If a dressing has been applied after the procedure you will be given instructions on how to look after the area and change the dressing.
If you’ve had a skin lesion removed by a surgical procedure, you may have stitches. Your consultant will advise you if your stitches are absorbable or not. If not, they will usually require removal about one week after your treatment. It’s important to keep the wound clean and dry and to follow any specific instructions you’ve been given regarding wound care.
You may wish to manage any pain or discomfort you feel with painkillers such as paracetamol. If your pain is not manageable or you have any concerns, we can advise you how best to proceed.
Your consultant may want you to attend a follow-up appointment to monitor the healing process and see how your recovery is going or to discuss the results from your treatment.
If you have had skin surgery this will result in a scar, but there are steps you can take to minimise its visibility. Massaging the area regularly for a few minutes at a time can help the scar tissue to soften, producing a nicely faded scar. Your consultant will advise you when to start this and how to go about it. We also advise using a high SPF sunscreen on the area for around 12 months after your procedure.
While shave excision is generally considered a safe procedure, there are some potential risks and complications you should be aware of. These may include:
Infection
Any surgical procedure carries a risk of infection. Warning signs may include increased pain, redness, swelling, warmth or discharge from the wound. Most infections will present themselves around 9 days after a procedure and the treatment is usually a one week course of oral antibiotics. Should you have any concerns about the presence of infection we will be available to see and advise you accordingly.
Bleeding
Bleeding may occur during or after the removal procedure. In rare cases, excessive bleeding may require medical attention.
Scarring
Following any form of surgery there will be a scar. The extent of scarring can vary, and is dependent on your particular case and how you heal. We will do all we can to minimise the appearance of any unavoidable scarring.
Nerve Damage
In rare cases, if the lesion is particularly large or deep, surgical removal procedures may damage nearby nerves. This could lead to temporary or permanent numbness or altered sensation in the area.
Recurrence
With certain types of skin lesion there is a small risk of it coming back, also known as recurrence. If your surgery involved removal of a skin cancer we will advise an annual skin check with a skin expert to look for early signs of recurrence or other skin cancers.
Shave excisions are undertaken to remove benign or cancerous skin growths such as moles, warts, skin tags or certain types of skin cancers. This treatment is sometimes preferred when the lesion is on the surface of the skin only. They can sometimes be preferred to surgical excision as it is a less invasive way of removing the lesion causing minimal damage to surrounding skin.
The recovery time from a shave excision depends on factors such as the size and location of the excision as well as each individual’s healing abilities. In general, recovery time is usually relatively quick, ranging from a few days to a couple of weeks.
There may be a scar following shave excision, though this procedure typically results in minimal scarring. The extent of the scar can vary depending on factors such as the size and location of the treated area and each individual’s healing abilities.
This procedure can be undertaken on various area of the body, including the face, neck, arms, legs and trunk. The appropriateness of this procedure for a specific area depends on factors such as the type of growth and the skin thickness in the area to be treated.
The procedure itself will be painless as we use a local anaesthetic to numb the area. There may be some mild pain or discomfort during the healing process. This can usually be controlled with over the counter pain medication such as Paracetamol.
