Biopsies & Procedures
At MDI, many diagnostic and treatment procedures are performed right here in office — no hospital visit needed. Using local anesthetics like lidocaine to keep you comfortable, our providers handle everything from biopsies to removals quickly, efficiently, and with as little disruption to your day as possible. If something on your skin needs a closer look or needs to come off, we have the tools and expertise to take care of it.
Skin Biopsies
A skin biopsy is a simple in-office procedure in which a small sample of skin is removed and sent to a pathology lab for analysis. Biopsies are one of the most important diagnostic tools in dermatology — they allow us to determine exactly what a lesion is, whether it's benign or malignant, and what the best course of treatment looks like.
The area is numbed with a local anesthetic before the procedure, so discomfort is minimal. There are several types of biopsies depending on the size, depth, and location of the lesion:
Shave biopsy — A superficial sample is shaved from the surface of the skin using a small blade. Quick and effective for raised or superficial lesions
Punch biopsy — A circular tool is used to remove a small, deeper core of skin. Used when a fuller thickness sample is needed for diagnosis
Excisional biopsy — The entire lesion is surgically removed along with a small margin of surrounding tissue. Used when complete removal is both diagnostic and therapeutic
Shave Removals
Shave removals are used to remove raised benign growths from the surface of the skin — things like skin tags, raised moles, seborrheic keratoses, and other superficial lesions. The area is numbed with lidocaine, and the growth is carefully shaved flush with the surrounding skin. It's quick, straightforward, and leaves minimal scarring in most cases.
Electrodesiccation & Curettage (ED&C)
ED&C is a two-step procedure used to treat a variety of skin lesions. First, the lesion is scraped away using a curette — a small, spoon-shaped instrument. Then an electric current is applied to the area to destroy any remaining abnormal cells and control bleeding. This process may be repeated in cycles for thorough treatment.
ED&C is commonly used for:
Basal cell carcinomas and Squamous cell carcinomas in appropriate locations
Actinic keratoses (precancerous lesions)
Seborrheic keratoses
Warts
Other benign skin growths
The procedure is done under local anesthesia and heals on its own without stitches in most cases.
Excisions
An excision is a surgical procedure in which a skin lesion — along with a margin of surrounding healthy tissue — is fully removed and closed with sutures. Excisions are used for both diagnostic and treatment purposes and are appropriate for a wide range of lesions including suspicious moles, skin cancers, cysts, lipomas, and other growths that need complete removal.
The area is numbed with lidocaine before the procedure. After removal, the specimen is typically sent to pathology to confirm complete removal and verify the diagnosis. Sutures are usually removed within one to two weeks depending on the location.
Cyst & Lipoma Removal
Cysts and lipomas are benign growths that develop beneath the skin's surface. While they're not dangerous, they can be uncomfortable, cosmetically bothersome, or prone to infection — and many patients choose to have them removed.
Cysts — Fluid or keratin-filled sacs that can develop anywhere on the body. Removal involves making a small incision, draining the contents, and removing the cyst wall to prevent recurrence
Lipomas — Soft, slow-growing fatty lumps that sit just beneath the skin. Removed through a small incision with minimal downtime
Both procedures are performed in office under local anesthesia.
Skin Tag & Mole Removal
Skin tags and moles are among the most common reasons patients come in for a removal procedure. Whether they're irritating, catching on clothing, or simply something you'd rather not have, removal is simple and straightforward.
Skin tags — Small, soft growths that hang from the skin, most commonly in areas of friction like the neck, underarms, and groin. Removed quickly by snipping, freezing, or cauterizing. Please note that skin tag removal is not a covered insurance benefit and is an out-of-pocket cost. Removal of 1–14 skin tags is $110. Your provider can give you more information and answer any questions during your visit.
Moles — Removed by shave or excision depending on the size, depth, and whether the mole needs to be sent to pathology. Any mole that looks irregular, has changed, or concerns you should always be evaluated before removal. Suspicious or changing moles may be covered by insurance.
All procedures at MDI are performed in a comfortable, clinical setting by our experienced providers using local anesthetics for your comfort. Have a spot you want evaluated or removed? Book an appointment and let us take a look.