What is dermatologic surgery?
Dermatologic surgery is an area of dermatology focused on surgical and minimally invasive methods and techniques aimed at improving the health, function, and appearance of your skin. Dermatologic surgery includes medically necessary procedures as well as cosmetic treatments.
Warrenton Dermatology & Skin Therapy Center is a full-service dermatology practice that includes board-certified dermatologists trained to perform dermatologic surgery to treat your skin condition.
What conditions benefit from dermatologic surgery?
The team at Warrenton Dermatology & Skin Therapy Center uses dermatologic surgery to treat many skin conditions including, but not limited to:
- Skin cancer
- Warts
- Molluscum contagiosum
- Seborrheic keratosis
- Moles
- Hair loss
- Scars
They also offer cosmetic dermatologic surgery to treat aesthetic concerns such as wrinkles and age spots.
What are types of dermatologic surgery?
The team at Warrenton Dermatology & Skin Therapy Center performs many dermatologic surgery procedures. Dermatologic surgery is most commonly used to treat skin cancer.
However, the team also recommends surgical intervention to treat benign skin growths that interfere with your normal body functions or cause pain, itching, or bleeding.
Some of the most common types of surgery include excision, curettage and electrodesiccation, cryosurgery, and laser surgery.
Excision
The team performs a surgical excision for the treatment of malignant and benign skin tumors. During the procedure, your dermatologist removes the tumor and an area of healthy-looking skin around the tumor.
Your wound may be allowed to heal on its own or your dermatologist may need to stitch the wound closed or cover the wound with a skin graft or skin flap. After removal of the tumor, the team closely examines the excised tissue to see if any cancer cells are present.
Curettage and electrodesiccation
During curettage and electrodesiccation, your dermatologist uses a special tool to scrape the skin growth or lesion and then gently burn (cauterize) the skin. The team uses this dermatologic surgical technique to treat small basal cell and squamous cell tumors and warts.
Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery involves freezing off the skin growth. This technique is used to treat certain types of skin cancer, as well as warts and molluscum contagiosum.
Laser surgery
The team uses laser surgery to vaporize superficial and multiple basal cell carcinomas and to excise and destroy squamous cell carcinoma. The full-service medical and aesthetic dermatology practice also uses advanced laser tools to remove unwanted hair, tighten the skin, and rejuvenate your look.
Dermatologic surgery may require local or regional anesthesia.
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Mohs Micrographic Surgery is the most effective and advanced treatment for skin cancer. It is performed on an outpatient basis using a highly specialized and precise technique that surgically removes the cancerous tissue in stages, one tissue layer at a time. This technique allows physicians to precisely identify and remove the entire tumor while leaving as much of the surrounding healthy tissue as possible intact and unharmed. Mohs surgery also offers the highest potential for successful cure, even if the cancerous tissue has been previously treated by another method. The Warrenton Dermatology Skin Surgery Center is committed to providing specialized Mohs surgery for the treatment of skin cancer.
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For comprehensive care from a team that takes an integrative approach to your skin care needs, contact Warrenton Dermatology & Skin Therapy Center by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.
