Excision of a Skin Lesion

On the day of your procedure, you’ll be welcomed into a private room and asked to uncover the area of skin requiring treatment.

Before the procedure begins, your consultant will mark the area of skin to be removed and talk you through each step, answering any final questions you may have. Once you’re comfortable, you’ll lie on the procedure bed and your consultant will administer a local anaesthetic using a small injection under the skin. The area will quickly become numb, so you won’t feel pain during the procedure, though it’s normal to notice a sensation of gentle pressure or pulling. Our team will monitor you throughout to make sure you remain comfortable.

Your consultant will cut around the lesion with a scalpel, remove it from the skin and close the wound in the best way to minimise scarring. Depending on the size of the excision, this could include closing the area with stitches and applying a dressing. Your consultant will advise how to care for the area in the days and weeks following the procedure for the best cosmetic result.

The surgery typically takes between 15 minutes and 1 hour, depending on the size and location of the lesion. Once it’s complete and any dressing is in place, you’ll have time to rest and recover from the anaesthetic in private, comfortable surroundings, before going home the same day. 

Your consultant will let you know if you can go home by yourself or if you’ll need someone to collect you, depending on your specific procedure.

In general, skin surgery is a safe procedure. However, every surgical procedure carries some risks. 

Risks of excision of a skin lesion include: 

• pain

• bleeding

• infection

• scarring 

• swelling and bruising

Your consultant will give you specific advice on how to prepare for your treatment. If you’re having the procedure under local anaesthetic, you’ll usually be able to eat and drink as normal beforehand. 

On the day of the procedure, it’s useful to wear comfortable clothing that gives easy access to the skin lesion being treated.

Skin surgery is usually straightforward, with most people recovering within 1 to 2 weeks. Allow yourself time to rest after the procedure — this helps your wound heal properly. You can normally return to light daily activities or office work within a few days, but should avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and sports until your consultant confirms it’s safe, usually once any stitches are removed or the scar is fully sealed.

You’ll receive instructions on how to care for your wound at home. This usually involves keeping the dressing dry for 5 to 7 days. Some stitches dissolve naturally over 2 to 4 weeks; others need to be removed after 1 to 2 weeks. Your surgeon will let you know if your wound was closed with stitches and what type. Mild swelling, bruising or discomfort are common and can be eased with paracetamol — avoid aspirin as it can increase bleeding.

Complications are uncommon, but may include minor bleeding, infection, scarring, or swelling. If bleeding occurs, apply firm pressure for 15 minutes with a clean cloth. If it continues, or your wound becomes red, painful or swollen, get in touch.

Please contact the Skin Health centre or Surgery Centre for pricing.

At Welbeck, our dermatologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

To book an excision of a skin lesion, you must be referred by either your GP or a dermatologist following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this treatment.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with a dermatologist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.