Most Common Skin Lesions: Removal Methods and Prevention Tips

Our skin experts come across skin lesions on a daily basis. Whether it’s a painful cyst, atypical mole, unusual patch of skin, or another type of growth, we’re experienced in diagnosing and removing them to restore our patient’s healthy skin. 

Learn more about the most common types of skin lesions we see and how our dermatologists remove them. 

Most people have at least a few moles on their body. Also known as a melanocytic nevus or simply a nevus, moles are usually round, brown or pink macules, papules, or nodules. They are incredibly common and typically don’t pose any risk to an individual’s health. 

In some cases, a mole can change shape, color, or size and begin to crust or bleed. If this occurs, our board-certified dermatologists will examine it and determine if the mole needs to be removed and sent off to pathology for further investigation. 

At Center for Surgical Dermatology & Dermatology Associates, we typically remove suspicious or unsightly moles with surgical excision. 

Acne is another very common type of lesion and it affects over 50 million people in the United States alone. It occurs when follicles become plugged with sebum, causing clogged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and deeper lumps (cysts or nodules). 

Our board-certified dermatologists address acne through personalized acne treatments that generally involve oral or topical medication, antibiotics, cortisone injections, and lifestyle changes

Also called acrochordon, skin tags are soft, small, skin-colored growths that pose no risk to one’s health but may cause discomfort or be cosmetically concerning. Our board-certified dermatologists remove skin tags through surgical excision, cryotherapy, electrodesiccation, or ligation. 

There are many different types of cysts we diagnose and remove at Center for Surgical Dermatology. These include: 

• Sebaceous cysts (also known as epidermal cysts)
• Ganglion Cysts
• Pilar Cysts

Cysts often vary in size, shape, and color. However, most are benign and completely harmless, though they may cause discomfort, prompting the individual to seek removal. Our doctors remove cysts by draining the fluid and other matter with a needle, corticosteroid injections, or surgical removal. 

Lipomas are a slow-growing collection of fat under the skin, resulting in a soft lesion that’s typically a few centimeters in diameter. Lipomas most often show up on the arms, thighs, and trunk of the body. Though they pose no risk to an individual’s health, lipomas may be uncomfortable or painful if in a sensitive spot. Lipomas are often removed with elective surgery. 

Warts are an incredibly common type of a skin lesion we diagnose and treat. While there are many different types of warts, they are all caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). 

Most warts can be treated with OTC medication. However, if you have a particularly stubborn one, our doctors can help with prescription medication or cryotherapy (freezing the wart off). 

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a precancerous skin condition generally caused by excessive, unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, such as from the sun or tanning beds. It shows up as small, scaly spots or dry, crusty patches on the skin and is treated with cryotherapy, topical medication, or photodynamic therapy (light therapy).