While most moles and other skin growths are perfectly harmless features of your skin, they can sometimes be indicators of cancer, infection, or disease. Since it can be difficult to determine if a skin growth is benign simply by looking at it, a skin biopsy may be necessary to diagnose or rule out certain skin conditions.
At Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center in Windermere, with a skin biopsy, we can determine if your moles and skin growths are benign or need further treatment. We offer a variety of medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment options that can be customized to your specific needs.
Types of Biopsies
There are three different skin biopsy techniques that we use at Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center:
- Shave: A razor-like tool is used to remove a small section of the epidermis and a portion of the dermis.
- Punch: A circular tool is used to remove a small, but deeper section of the skin, including the epidermis, dermis, and superficial fat.
- Excisional: A scalpel is used to remove an entire lump or otherwise abnormal area of skin. This method removes the most skin, cutting all the way through the lower, fatty layer.
Since each of these methods penetrate different depths of skin, they are all used for different kinds of skin growths. Our trained medical staff will carefully examine your skin growth to determine which method of biopsy is best fit to remove it.
What Skin Conditions Can a Skin Biopsy Diagnose?
A skin biopsy can diagnose a huge range of skin conditions and diseases, including but not limited to:
- Blistering skin conditions
- Dermatitis
- Psoriasis
- Skin cancers
- Skin infection
It is important that you receive a skin biopsy even if you are not convinced that your skin growth is dangerous, as many of these skin conditions can be treated easily if they are caught early. However, when left untreated, many of these conditions can escalate quickly and become difficult to deal with.
If you are concerned about the condition of your skin, do not hesitate to contact us at Dermatology and Skin Care Center today to schedule a consultation. Our medical team, led by Dr. Jeannette Hudgens, will work with you to create a treatment plan that is right for you. We look forward to hearing from you!