Guide to Electrosurgery: Non-invasive and Effective Removal of Skin Lesions

At Aura Dermatologie, Montreal, Quebec, our dermatologist is dedicated to offering a wide range of solutions for skin tags and benign growth removals, as well as skin cancer treatment.. One commonly used technique is electrosurgery, which can be used effectively to treat for skin keratoses, skin cancer, remove  skin tags and is used as part of the treatment of certain skin cancers (electrodessication and curettage procedure), and the removal of moles. During your dermatology consultation, Dr. Amina Bougrine and her team can help you determine if this treatment is right for you.

What is electrosurgery?

Electrosurgery involves the controlled application of heat or electricity to remove or treat unwanted skin lesions. Electrosurgery is most often used to treat the following concerns:

  • Skin tags: skin tags are small pieces of hanging skin that can form in skin folds or on the face or neck. They are harmless but may be removed if they cause discomfort or cosmetic concerns.
  • Seborrheic keratoses: seborrheic keratoses, are growths on the skin that typically appear as brown, black, or tan. They are often mistaken for warts or moles but are harmless and can be removed for cosmetic reasons.
  • Dermatosis papulosa nigra: dermatosis papulosa nigra is a skin condition that causes small, dark bumps to form on the face, most commonly in people of African, Caribbean or Asian descent. These bumps are benign but can be removed for cosmetic reasons.
  • Sebaceous hyperplasia: sebaceous hyperplasia is a skin condition that causes small, yellowish bumps that can form on the face, most commonly in older adults. These bumps are benign but can be removed for cosmetic reasons.
  • Skin cancer: skin cancer can be treated with electrosurgery as part of the electrodessication and curettage procedure, which involves removing the tumor surgically followed by scraping away the affected area and using heat or electricity to stop bleeding and destroy any remaining cancer cells.

How does electrosurgery work?

Electrosurgery uses an electric current to heat tissue and essentially burn off unwanted lesions. This technique has been used for many years and has proven effective in removing various skin lesions. The procedure is usually done without local anesthesia, but a topical or injected anesthetic may be used when lesions are large, deep, or involve a large surface area, so you do not experience unwanted pain during the treatment.

What are the benefits of electrosurgery?

Electrosurgery offers several benefits for patients seeking to remove unwanted skin lesions. Some of these include:

  • Minimal risk of scarring compared to surgical methods
  • Quick and non-invasive procedure
  • Can be used for all skin types
  • Can be used for various types of skin lesions

Schedule an appointment for your electrosurgery treatment.

To schedule your electrosurgery treatment, we recommend starting with a consultation with Dr. Amina Bougrine at Aura Dermatologie to assess your skin needs and determine if electrosurgery is the right treatment for you. We offer a wide range of services to patients in and around the Montreal area for their skin needs. If you are considering the removal of unwanted skin growths, including skin tags, please call our private dermatology office at (514) 252-3102 to request an appointment.

This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. For personalized recommendations, please consult your doctor.

Dr. Amina Bougrine

Dr. Amina Bougrine

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Dr. Amina Bougrine is a board-certified dermatologist in both Canada and the United States. After obtaining her Bachelor’s degree and her Medical Degree (MDCM, 2009) at McGill University, she completed her residency at Universite de Montreal (2014) and her fellowship in cutaneous oncology at Harvard University (2020).

As a trusted skin specialist, Dr. Amina strives to deliver exceptional medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology services to help patients in Montreal and nearby communities live their best skin.

She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, Canadian Dermatology Association, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.