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With any medical condition, having more information leads to more accurate diagnoses and effective treatments. For skin conditions, the experienced dermatologists at Skin Care Specialists in Mesa, Tempe, and Scottsdale, Arizona, provide expert skin biopsy services so you can get prompt and necessary treatment with minimal disruption. To learn more, reach out to the nearest office by phone or book your appointment online today.
Skin Biopsy Q&A
What is a skin biopsy?
For a skin biopsy, your Skin Care Specialists dermatologist removes a small amount of skin for further evaluation. While most associate skin biopsies with cancer, this procedure can be very valuable for diagnosing other skin diseases, including infections, inflammation, or causes of a rash.
What happens during a skin biopsy?
The Skin Care Specialist team disinfects and numbs the treatment area to ensure your comfort, and then carefully removes as little skin as possible for testing. Depending on your needs, they may perform one of the following biopsies:
Shave biopsy
This technique employs a surgical tool similar to a razor blade to shave off a very thin layer of growth from the top layers of your skin.
Punch biopsy
If your provider needs a sample with deeper skin layers, they may use a tube-shaped tool called a punch, which separates a small circular section of skin for testing.
Scissors biopsy
Unlike the damage regular scissors can cause, surgical-grade scissors in the hands of a skilled dermatologist can be used to gently remove a hanging skin growth. This can also be called a snip biopsy.
Curette biopsy
A medical curette looks similar to a pen that terminates in a metal loop. Your dermatologist can use this precise tool to scrape off skin growth.
Excisional or incisional biopsy
Your provider uses a curved surgical tool or scalpel to perform a deeper procedure while minimally impacting the surrounding skin. Removing an entire growth is referred to as an excisional biopsy; partial removal is an incisional biopsy.
What can I expect after a skin biopsy?
Your Skin Care Specialists provider dresses the treatment area, using stitches if necessary, and ensures the site is clean and protected to begin the healing process. They give you detailed at-home care instructions and send the removed skin sample to a lab for examination.
Once your provider receives the report on your skin biopsy, they contact you to discuss the results. Depending on the reason for your skin biopsy, you may not need to do anything else, or this may begin your personalized treatment plan.
A skin biopsy gives you valuable information to protect your health. Learn more by calling the nearest Skin Care Specialists office or book a consultation online today.