Electrosurgery for Skin Lesions

What is Electrosurgery?

Electrosurgery is a dermatologic technique that uses high-frequency electric current to cut, destroy, or coagulate tissue. It’s a precise and effective treatment commonly performed in-office to remove benign lesions, address precancerous growths, and manage bleeding during minor skin procedures.

Because electrosurgery targets tissue accurately, it minimizes damage to surrounding healthy skin. The procedure is typically done under local anesthesia and offers excellent cosmetic results with minimal recovery time.

At Clarus Dermatology, our board-certified providers use advanced electrosurgical techniques tailored to your skin type and lesion characteristics.

Conditions Treated with Electrosurgery

Electrosurgery is a versatile option for treating a range of benign and pre-cancerous skin lesions, including:

• Skin tags
• Seborrheic keratoses
• Actinic keratoses (precancerous sun damage)
• Warts (common or genital)
• Cherry angiomas
• Molluscum contagiosum
• Small basal cell carcinomas (in selected cases)
• Pyogenic granulomas

If you’re unsure about your skin lesion, we’ll evaluate it during your consultation and recommend the safest, most effective treatment option.

Overview

Warts are small, rough skin growths that typically occur on the hands and feet. They may occur singly or in multiples, and may spread to other parts of the body.

Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and are contagious.

Common Warts

Common warts typically occur on the hands, particularly on the knuckles and around the fingernails.

Common warts may bleed if picked, scraped, or cut, and usually contain small black dots, which are small, clotted blood vessels at the center of the wart.

Flat Warts

Flat warts are flat in shape, flesh-colored, and commonly occur in multiples. Flat warts typically appear on the face, neck, legs, and knees.

Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are hard, often painful lumps commonly found on the soles of the feet. They tend to be larger than common warts and are flesh-colored or brown with black specks.

Filiform Warts

Filiform warts are very small, thread-like warts typically found on the face, around the corners of lips and on the eyelids.

Genital Warts

Genital warts are caused by a type of sexually-transmitted HPV. These small warts can occur on the genitals, pubic area, and rectum, or inside the vagina in women.

Treatment

Many warts can be successfully treated with an over-the-counter salicylic acid solution. Other treatment options may include cryotherapy, blistering compounds, surgical excision, laser surgery, and immunotherapy.

Even with proper treatment, warts can be stubborn and may reoccur.

How Electrosurgery Works

Electrosurgery is a straightforward, well-tolerated procedure that can often be completed in just one visit. It’s commonly used for both cosmetic and medical lesions and typically involves just a few quick steps:

• Evaluation & Diagnosis: Your dermatologist examines the lesion to determine its type, depth, and whether electrosurgery is the best treatment.
• Local Anesthesia: A numbing agent is applied to the treatment area to ensure comfort during the procedure.
• Tissue Removal: A small electrode delivers an electric current to remove or destroy the unwanted tissue.
• Cauterization: The heat seals small blood vessels, reducing bleeding and speeding up healing.
• Optional Curettage: In some cases, the lesion is gently scraped with a curette before or after cauterization, a technique called electrodesiccation and curettage (ED&C).

What to Expect During and After the Procedure

Knowing what to expect can make your treatment experience more comfortable and stress-free. Electrosurgery is quick, efficient, and typically very well tolerated, making it a convenient choice for in-office skin lesion removal.

• Most procedures take only a few minutes.
• You may feel a mild warmth or tingling sensation.
• The treated area typically scabs or crusts within 24 hours.
• Healing time ranges from 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the lesion.
• Mild redness, swelling, or soreness is common but temporary.
• No stitches are required in most cases.

Our team will provide aftercare instructions and recommend products to support optimal healing and minimize scarring.

Benefits of Electrosurgery

For many patients, electrosurgery offers a practical blend of effectiveness, convenience, and cosmetic sensitivity. Here are some of the key advantages that make it a preferred option for treating skin lesions:

• Quick, in-office treatment with minimal downtime
• Precision targeting with limited skin trauma
• Minimal bleeding due to cauterization
• No need for sutures in most cases
• Excellent cosmetic outcomes
• Suitable for both cosmetic and medical skin concerns
• Effective for various skin types and lesion locations

Is Electrosurgery Right for You?

Not every skin lesion requires the same treatment, and not every treatment is right for every patient. That’s why it’s important to consult with a board-certified dermatologist who can evaluate your skin, your health history, and your goals. Electrosurgery is a trusted, versatile option for many common lesions, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Electrosurgery may be a great option if you have:

• Benign, raised, or bothersome lesions
• Precancerous lesions like actinic keratoses
• Non-pigmented growths, such as skin tags or cherry angiomas

However, it may not be appropriate for suspicious pigmented moles or rapidly changing lesions, which require a biopsy or more advanced care.

Clarus Dermatology providers carefully assess each case to ensure the safest, most appropriate treatment path. We also consider skin type and cosmetic sensitivity when determining candidacy.

Potential Side Effects & Risks

Like all dermatologic treatments, electrosurgery carries some risks, though complications are uncommon when the procedure is performed by experienced professionals. It’s important to understand what’s normal, what to watch for, and how to care for your skin afterward to ensure the best outcome.

While electrosurgery is considered safe and well-tolerated, possible side effects include:

• Temporary redness, swelling, or mild discomfort
• Formation of a scab or light scarring
• Temporary or permanent changes in pigmentation (especially in darker skin tones)
• Low risk of infection or recurrence, especially in viral lesions like warts

Following proper aftercare can help minimize these risks and support smooth healing.

Schedule an Appointment for Electrosurgery Today

If you have a skin lesion that’s painful, growing, or simply bothersome, electrosurgery may be the fast, effective solution you’ve been looking for. At Clarus Dermatology, we offer expert care and excellent outcomes with minimal disruption to your daily life.

Ready to address a bothersome or concerning skin lesion? Schedule a personalized evaluation with our dermatology team and explore safe, effective treatment options, starting with electrosurgery.