Dermatologic surgery
Dermatologic surgery removes skin lesions in the office under local anesthesia: moles, cysts, lipomas, warts, keratoses and skin cancers. The removed tissue goes to histopathology, which confirms the diagnosis. Dr. Karen von Kossel completed her residency in medical and surgical dermatology at UNIFESP and is a member of the Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Dermatológica (SBCD), the Brazilian society of dermatologic surgery.
Summary
- Anesthesia
- Local, while you are awake
- Duration
- 20 to 60 minutes, depending on size and location
- Stitches
- Removed after 7 to 14 days, sooner on the face
- Back to work
- Usually the same day or the next day
- Exercise
- Allowed after stitch removal, depending on the location
- Lab results
- About 2 to 3 weeks
What can be removed
- Suspicious moles or moles that bother you (rubbing against clothing, bra straps, the beard area).
- Cysts, lipomas and other lumps under the skin.
- Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and precancerous lesions.
- Warts, seborrheic keratoses and skin tags on the neck and armpits.
- Repair of torn earring holes.
How it works
The procedure is booked after the consultation, where the technique is chosen. On the day, the area is cleaned and numbed with a small injection. The lesion is removed with a margin of skin around it, and the wound is closed with stitches placed so that the scar follows the natural lines of the skin. Small lesions can be removed by shaving or cautery, without stitches.
You leave with a dressing and written instructions. For lesions on the face, Dr. von Kossel explains beforehand where the scar will be.
Recovery and care
Keep the dressing dry for the first 24 to 48 hours, avoid strain on the area until the stitches come out and protect the scar from the sun for at least 3 months. Contact the team if bleeding does not stop, if redness spreads or if you have a fever.
If you take blood thinners or aspirin, mention it at the consultation. Only the prescribing doctor should decide whether to stop or continue them.
Frequently asked questions
Does mole removal leave a scar?
Any surgery with an incision leaves a scar. Careful technique and the direction of the incision keep the scar fine in most cases, and it fades over 6 to 12 months.
Can a mole be removed with laser?
A mole that needs analysis must be removed whole with a scalpel, so the lab can confirm it is benign. Laser destroys the pigment and leaves no tissue to examine.
Is the surgery done in the office or in a hospital?
Surgery under local anesthesia is done in the office. Larger cases that require sedation are referred to a hospital.
Last updated November 10, 2026 · Medical director (responsável técnica): Dr. Karen von Kossel, CRM-SP 107714 · RQE 58534