Dermatology Surgery

This covers a range of surgical procedures for treating skin conditions such keloidsvitiligoskin cancer and moles. In each case the affected area (or areas) of skin are removed and the wound covered with a dressing.

Skin graft

Another option is a skin graft which may be used to treat vitiligo. A healthy area of skin is removed – this acts as a ‘donor graft’ – and is placed over a damaged area of skin.

Surgical excision

A mole or lesion is removed under a local anaesthetic. The affected area is cleaned and numbed with the anaesthetic. The surgeon uses a scalpel to cut out the offending mole or lesion which is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

The wound is closed with stitches or sealed with electrocautery. Electrocautery is the use of heat to close a wound and prevent infection.

Excision can be confined to the offending mole or lesion or include surrounding areas of skin.

Other procedures include chemical peels and microdermabrasion which are discussed separately.