3 Types Of Procedures That Dermatologists Perform
Posted on: 29 August 2020
Dermatologists are doctors that specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions of the skin, hair, and nails. In some cases, dermatology services also includes performing certain procedures in order to make accurate diagnoses or treat skin conditions.
Here are three types of procedures that dermatologists routinely perform.
1. Skin Biopsy
A dermatologist performs a skin biopsy by removing cells from the skin. A dermatologist may also have to remove a tiny sample of skin. The cells and the skin sample are then examined under a microscope so that an accurate diagnosis can be determined.
The most common types of skin biopsies include:
- Shave biopsy. A dermatologist removes a skin sample or cells from the top layers of skin.
- Punch biopsy. A dermatologist removes a skin sample or cells from the deeper layers of skin.
- Excisional biopsy. A dermatologist removes a larger portion of abnormal skin.
Dermatologists use a specific tool for each type of biopsy. Along with diagnosing skin conditions, biopsies are performed to remove lesions from the skin.
2. Local Treatments
When a dermatologist has to treat pre-cancers on certain parts of the body, there are a variety of local treatments they can perform. Local treatments help to stop the spread of precancerous basal and squamous cells so that they don't spread beyond the skin.
Dermatology services include the following local treatments:
- Cryosurgery. Liquid nitrogen is used to freeze and kill precancerous cells.
- Photodynamic therapy. Gel is used to collect precancerous cells and then a special light kills the cells.
- Topical chemotherapy. Anti-cancer medications are applied directly to the skin in order to kill precancerous cells.
- Laser surgery. Beams of light are used to vaporize precancerous cells.
- Chemical peeling. Trichloroacetic acid gets applied directly to a tumor in order to kill it.
Dermatologists might also use immune response modifiers. These types of drugs boost the body's immune system, which helps to destroy precancerous cells.
3. Skin Tag Removal
A skin tag is a growth on the skin that commonly occur on the neck, underarms, eyelids, and the upper chest area. Though skin tags are harmless, they can rub against clothing, which causes irritation. Skin tags on more visible parts of the body can cause a person to become more self-conscious of their appearance.
While there is no medical reason to remove skin tags, some people prefer to have a dermatologist remove them. A dermatologist applies a local anesthetic and removes a skin tag by either cutting it off with a scalpel, freezing it off with liquid nitrogen, or using an electric current to burn it off.
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