Skin growths such as skin tags, warts, and benign moles are extremely common. Although many of these growths are harmless, they may become irritated, catch on clothing or jewelry, cause discomfort, or simply be something you would prefer to have removed.
At Dayton Skin Care, our dermatology team provides professional evaluation and removal of a variety of unwanted skin growths. Having a dermatologist evaluate a growth before removal is important because not every spot that appears harmless is necessarily cosmetic. When appropriate, removed tissue may also be submitted to a pathology laboratory for microscopic examination.
Whether you are concerned about a bothersome skin tag, persistent wart, raised mole, or another unwanted skin growth, we can determine the appropriate approach based on the type, size, location, and appearance of the lesion.
Skin Tag Removal
What Are Skin Tags?
Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are small, soft, benign growths that commonly develop where skin rubs against skin or clothing. They frequently appear around the:
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Neck
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Underarms
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Eyelids
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Groin
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Under the breasts
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Other skin folds
Skin tags are generally harmless, but they can become irritated, twisted, inflamed, or uncomfortable. Some patients also choose to have them removed for cosmetic reasons.
Professional Skin Tag Removal
The appropriate removal method depends on the size and location of the skin tag. A dermatology professional can evaluate the area and recommend an appropriate technique designed to remove the growth while minimizing unnecessary trauma to the surrounding skin.
Patients should avoid cutting, burning, or attempting to remove skin tags themselves. At-home removal can cause bleeding, infection, scarring, or injury and may result in treating something that was incorrectly assumed to be a skin tag.
Wart Removal
What Causes Warts?
Warts are benign skin growths caused by infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). They can develop in many areas of the body and vary considerably in size, texture, and appearance.
Some warts disappear without treatment, while others can persist, multiply, become painful, or interfere with everyday activities.
When Should a Wart Be Treated?
Professional evaluation may be appropriate when a wart:
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Becomes painful or irritated
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Bleeds
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Continues to grow
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Spreads to other areas
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Returns after previous treatment
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Interferes with walking or other activities
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Does not respond to over-the-counter treatment
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Has an unusual appearance
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Cannot confidently be identified as a wart
Treatment varies according to the type and location of the wart. Dayton Skin Care offers several approaches to wart treatment, and some warts require more than one treatment session.
Benign Mole Removal
What Is a Benign Mole?
Moles, also known medically as nevi, are common skin growths. They may be flat or raised and can range in color from flesh-toned to brown or darker shades.
Most moles are benign. However, because melanoma and other skin cancers can sometimes resemble ordinary moles, a changing or unusual mole should be evaluated by a dermatologist rather than treated as a purely cosmetic concern.
Why Remove a Benign Mole?
Even when a mole is determined to be benign, patients may consider removal because it:
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Frequently catches on clothing or jewelry
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Becomes irritated during shaving
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Rubs against other areas of skin
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Causes recurring discomfort
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Is raised or located in a bothersome area
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Creates a cosmetic concern
The removal technique depends on factors such as the mole’s size, depth, location, and clinical appearance. Techniques may include shave removal or surgical excision.
When Should a Mole Be Evaluated?
Schedule a dermatology evaluation if you notice a mole that is new, changing, bleeding, itching, painful, or noticeably different from your other moles.
Dermatologists often use the ABCDE warning signs when evaluating pigmented lesions:
A — Asymmetry: One half does not resemble the other.
B — Border: The edges appear irregular, poorly defined, or uneven.
C — Color: The growth contains multiple or changing colors.
D — Diameter: Larger lesions may warrant closer evaluation, although melanoma can also be small.
E — Evolving: The mole changes in size, shape, color, elevation, sensation, or another characteristic.
A professional skin examination is the appropriate way to determine whether additional testing or removal should be considered.
Pathology and Laboratory Testing After Skin Growth Removal
Why Is Removed Tissue Sometimes Sent to a Laboratory?
Not every cosmetic removal requires pathology testing. However, when there is a medical reason to examine removed tissue, the specimen may be sent to a pathology laboratory.
A pathologist is a physician who examines tissue under a microscope to identify the type of cells present and look for abnormalities.
Pathology can help determine whether a growth is:
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Benign
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Atypical or abnormal
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Precancerous
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Cancerous
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Another type of skin condition requiring additional care
The decision to submit a specimen for testing depends on the clinical characteristics of the growth, the procedure performed, and the dermatologist’s medical judgment.
What Happens During Pathology Testing?
After a specimen is collected, it is prepared and examined microscopically by a pathologist. A pathology report is then generated describing the findings.
Your dermatology provider reviews those results in the context of your examination and determines whether any additional evaluation or treatment is necessary.
Pathology provides an important distinction between removing something because it is unwanted and examining tissue because its diagnosis needs to be confirmed.
Cosmetic Removal vs. Medically Necessary Removal
The reason a growth is being removed can affect how the procedure is classified.
A removal performed solely because a patient does not like the appearance of an otherwise harmless growth is generally considered cosmetic. Removal may be medically indicated when a lesion is symptomatic, repeatedly irritated, changing, suspicious, or requires diagnostic evaluation.
Insurance coverage varies according to the patient’s plan, diagnosis, and reason for treatment. Patients should verify individual coverage and financial responsibility before treatment.
Why Choose a Dermatology Practice for Cosmetic Skin Growth Removal?
A skin growth should be correctly identified before it is removed.
Professional dermatologic evaluation provides an important advantage: the same visit can address both the patient’s cosmetic concern and the medical characteristics of the lesion.
At Dayton Skin Care, patients have access to a physician-only dermatology practice offering medical, cosmetic, surgical, and skin cancer care. Our goal is to determine what a growth is, whether removal is appropriate, which technique should be considered, and whether laboratory testing is necessary.
What to Expect During Your Appointment
Evaluation
Your provider will examine the growth and discuss how long it has been present, whether it has changed, and whether it causes symptoms such as itching, bleeding, tenderness, or irritation.
Treatment Recommendation
If removal is appropriate, your provider will discuss the technique recommended for the particular growth and its location.
Removal
Depending on the lesion and procedure, treatment may be completed during the visit or scheduled for another appointment. Local anesthetic may be used when necessary for patient comfort.
Pathology When Appropriate
If microscopic evaluation is medically appropriate, the removed tissue may be submitted to a pathology laboratory.
Aftercare
You will receive instructions for caring for the treatment area. Healing time varies according to the type and size of the growth, its location, and the procedure performed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cosmetic Removals
Can a dermatologist remove skin tags for cosmetic reasons?
Yes. Skin tags that are medically harmless may still be removed when they are bothersome or cosmetically unwanted. Your provider can first confirm that the growth is consistent with a skin tag and discuss appropriate removal options.
Should I remove a skin tag myself?
Professional evaluation and removal are safer than attempting to cut or otherwise destroy a growth at home. Self-treatment can cause bleeding, infection, scarring, or accidental treatment of a lesion that is not actually a skin tag.
Can warts come back after treatment?
Yes. Warts are caused by HPV, and recurrence can occur even after the visible wart has been treated. Some warts require multiple treatments.
Are warts contagious?
Many common warts can spread through direct contact or through contact with contaminated surfaces. Avoid picking at warts because this may contribute to spreading the virus to nearby skin.
Can benign moles be removed just because I do not like how they look?
Potentially. After examining the mole and confirming that cosmetic removal is appropriate, your provider can discuss available options and expected outcomes.
Does every mole need to be sent to pathology after removal?
Not necessarily. Whether tissue should be submitted for microscopic examination depends on the characteristics of the lesion, the reason for removal, the procedure performed, and your provider’s clinical judgment.
What is the difference between a biopsy and cosmetic removal?
A biopsy removes all or part of a skin lesion primarily to establish a diagnosis. Cosmetic removal is performed primarily because a patient wants an unwanted benign growth removed. In some situations, removal can serve both diagnostic and treatment purposes.
What happens if pathology finds something abnormal?
Your dermatologist will review the pathology report and determine whether additional evaluation or treatment is needed. Recommendations depend on the specific diagnosis and whether the abnormal tissue was completely removed.
Will cosmetic removal leave a scar?
Any procedure that removes or disrupts skin has the potential to leave a scar or pigment change. The likelihood and appearance of scarring depend on the removal technique, size and location of the lesion, skin characteristics, healing response, and aftercare.
How do I know whether a mole is cosmetic or potentially concerning?
That distinction should be made through professional evaluation. Moles that change in size, shape, color, texture, or symptoms should be examined rather than assumed to be cosmetic.
How much does cosmetic skin growth removal cost?
Cost varies depending on the number and type of growths being treated and the procedure required. Cosmetic procedures may not be covered by health insurance. Dayton Skin Care can discuss applicable fees and treatment recommendations following evaluation.
Can multiple skin tags or other growths be removed during one appointment?
In some cases, multiple growths can be treated during the same visit. The number that can appropriately be removed depends on their location, size, type, and the procedures required.
Schedule a Cosmetic Removal Consultation in Dayton, OH
If you have an unwanted skin tag, wart, benign mole, or another skin growth, professional evaluation can help determine exactly what it is and the safest, most appropriate way to address it.
Dayton Skin Care provides comprehensive medical, cosmetic, surgical, and skin cancer dermatology services for patients throughout Dayton and surrounding Ohio communities.
Contact our office to schedule an appointment and learn more about cosmetic skin growth removal.
