Treatment of Raised Moles and Skin Lesions

A multitude of raised skin lesions (such as pigmented moles, nevi, blemishes, age spots, seborrheic keratosis and skin tags) may be removed using a technique of a shave excision (planing the growth off). This is easily performed under local anesthesia with very minimal discomfort. Dr. Zemplenyi removes all elevated skin lesions using a high radio-frequency device equipped with a special shaver that enables gentle, bloodless, removal with resulting into a flat surface.  Such a removal immediately improves the appearance and allows application of cover-up makeup in several days following the procedure.

The wound heals within one to two weeks, often leaving a minimal or no scar. Dr. Zemplenyi submits the removed lesions for a pathological microscopic examination unless it is absolutely clear from the appearance of the lesion and its history that it is benign.

In general, shave biopsies of pigmented, worrisome or pre-cancerous lesions are covered by insurance, whereas  shave excision planing of longstanding, unchanged moles, nevi, and skin tags is considered to be cosmetic, and therefore, not covered by medical insurance.