Mole, Skin Tag, Lipoma, and Cyst Removal

Benign skin lesions like moles, skin tags, lipomas, and cysts are medically harmless, but can still be a cosmetic issue in visible areas. At Comprehensive Dermatology Center of Pasadena, our board-certified dermatologists are skilled in removing these problems to reduce irritation and deliver attractive skin.
This page will provide information about each lesion and the treatment options available to remove them.

What Are Moles, Cysts, Lipomas, and Skin Tags?

Moles

Moles are common skin growths that often appear on the face or body, varying in size, shape, and color. Some moles are flat, while others are slightly raised above the skin surface. Moles typically appear during childhood and adolescence; those you are born with are birthmarks. Most people have 10 to 45 moles, and almost all emerge before age 40.

There are different mole types, including junctional, compound, intradermal, and congenital moles. Most moles are harmless and rarely become cancerous. However, if you notice a change in mole size, shape, symmetry, or color, you should have a board-certified dermatologist examine it to ensure it is not precancerous.

Cyst

A cyst is a subdermal sac filled with fluid like blood or pus. Cysts develop at different places on the body and arise from various tissues. For example, you may develop a cyst on your face, neck, or trunk. They typically grow slowly, are not painful, and are rarely a cause for concern. However, cancerous cysts exist, so if you have any growth causing you pain or increasing in size, have it checked by a dermatologist. Cysts may become inflamed, cause redness and discomfort, become infected, and form painful abscesses.

Lipoma

A lipoma is a slow-growing, fatty lump most often positioned between your skin and underlying tissue. They may occur almost anywhere on the body, and you can have several lipomas simultaneously. Lipomas aren’t cancerous and are typically harmless. They most often appear in middle age.

Skin Tag

A skin tag is a small, benign skin collection that often forms in the armpit, groin area, neck, and eyelid. Almost everyone develops skin tags at some point during their lifetime. Studies indicate a genetic predisposition to skin tag development. There is also a connection with being overweight or obese.

What Can I Expect at My Appointment?

During your initial visit, your Comprehensive Dermatology Center physician will examine your concerns and discuss the appropriate treatment method in detail. Before removing any of these flaws, they will clean the area and apply a local or topical anesthetic for your comfort.

What Are the Treatment Options?

Fortunately, there are straightforward procedures for mole, cyst, lipoma, and skin tag removal. The following are some of the removal techniques we use at Comprehensive Dermatology Center of Pasadena.

Tangential Excision

A derma blade removes a mole or skin tag parallel to the skin’s surface. This excision leaves a small superficial wound which we may need to cauterize to stop excess bleeding. The skin wound from a tangential excision does not require sutures. The entire procedure takes approximately 20 minutes, and healing takes about one to two weeks. All surgeries produce a scar, but a tangential excision can have minimal scarring that blends well with adjacent skin. We primarily use this technique to remove moles or skin tags.

Elliptical Excision

This procedure involves a deep excision that eradicates a lesion. We ensure the resulting scar runs parallel with existing skin creases for less visibility and wound tension. Depending on the removal area, the resulting wound requires dissolvable or traditional sutures. The treatment takes about 30 minutes. We typically employ this technique to remove deep moles, lipomas, and cysts.

Electrosurgery Treatment

Electrosurgery employs a low-powered medical device called a hyfrecator to destroy tissue and stop bleeding during minor surgery. It emits low-power, high-frequency, high-voltage AC electrical pulses to the targeted lesion through an electrode mounted on a handpiece device. This quick treatment leaves a small, superficial wound. The hyfrecator has many uses, like removing skin tags, warts, moles, and other skin lesions.

Laser Ablation

Laser ablation is a less invasive technique involving a device that produces a thin, highly focused infrared light beam to vaporize everything it strikes. The laser strategically removes one skin layer at a time, with minimal damage to adjacent tissues. This procedure decreases the risk of scarring and is effective for benign moles, skin tags, and warts.

What Happens After the Treatment?

There is no downtime after the procedure, and you can return to day-to-day activities immediately. We will apply a dressing that you should leave in place for 24 hours to keep the wound clean. We’ll provide you with specific post-treatment instructions, including how to care for the treated site and avoid infection. When the anesthetic wears off, you may experience some discomfort, which you can resolve with over-the-counter medication. If you have sutures, you’ll need a follow-up appointment to have them removed in one to two weeks.

What Are the Risks?

Any surgery has potential side effects, such as infection, bleeding, and scarring. Fortunately, mole, cyst, lipoma, or skin tag removal are low-risk, safe, and simple procedures.

Schedule an Appointment

Are you tired of your mole, cyst, lipoma, or skin tags? If so, call (626) 793-7790 today to schedule an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist at Comprehensive Dermatology Center of Pasadena to discuss the technique for you.