Benign skin growths are extremely common and, while not harmful, they can be frustrating, uncomfortable, or affect how you feel about your appearance. At Vujevich Dermatology Associates in Pittsburgh, we offer cosmetic benign skin lesion removal for select non-cancerous growths. All of our cosmetic procedures are performed within a professional medical setting with safety, comfort, and satisfying cosmetic results as a priority.
What Is Benign Lesion Removal?
Benign lesion removal refers specifically to the cosmetic removal of non-cancerous, non-harmful skin growths. These are lesions which do not pose a medical risk, but patients often choose to have them removed for cosmetic reasons or because they may be prone to catch on clothing, jewelry, or become irritated over time.
It’s important to understand the difference between cosmetic lesion removal and medical or surgical skin lesion treatment:
- Cosmetic lesion removal focuses on improving appearance or comfort and typically applies to growths that have already been clinically determined to be benign. These growths are not types which would need to be removed for medical reasons.
- Medical removal is required for suspicious, atypical, precancerous, or cancerous lesions and may involve biopsies, surgical excision, or other medically necessary procedures. Certain conditions such as viral warts, atypical moles, or lesions that may be precancerous must be evaluated, managed, or removed medically.
Before any cosmetic skin lesion removal, your provider will carefully assess the lesion to confirm it is appropriate for cosmetic treatment. If a lesion appears atypical or concerning, we will recommend further evaluation, rather than cosmetic removal.
If you are not sure whether your skin lesion requires medical or cosmetic removal, we recommend scheduling a consultation, where we can help guide you through your options.
Types of Benign Lesions We Remove
At Vujevich Dermatology Associates, we currently offer cosmetic removal for the following benign skin growths:
Skin Tags
Skin tags are small, soft, flesh-colored growths that commonly develop in areas where skin rubs together, such as the neck, underarms, eyelids, or groin. Although they are harmless, many patients choose skin tag removal because they may become irritated or cosmetically bothersome.
Sebaceous Hyperplasia
Sebaceous hyperplasia appears as small, yellowish, flesh-colored, or white bumps, most often on the face. These growths are caused by enlarged oil glands and are commonly mistaken for acne or other skin conditions. Sebaceous hyperplasia removal can help smooth skin texture and improve overall appearance.
Seborrheic Keratosis
Seborrheic keratoses are very common, benign growths that often appear as brown, black, or tan raised spots with a “stuck-on” look. They tend to increase with age and can vary in size and thickness. Many patients seek seborrheic keratosis removal for cosmetic reasons or if the lesions become irritated.
While there are many other benign lesions a dermatologist may evaluate, these are the primary growths we currently offer for cosmetic removal at our practice.
Where to get cosmetic lesion removal in Pittsburgh
If you’re considering pursuing removal of cosmetic lesions, it’s essential to choose a provider with the training and experience to ensure both safety and optimal cosmetic results.
At Vujevich Dermatology Associates, cosmetic lesion removal treatments are performed by Lisa Barba, CRNP, a highly trained nurse practitioner with over 20 years of experience in cosmetic dermatology. Her expertise ensures careful evaluation, precise treatment, and attention to minimizing visible scarring whenever possible. We are pleased to provide cosmetic lesion removal in Pittsburgh at both of our convenient locations in Mt. Lebanon and Pleasant Hills.
If you’re searching for removal of skin tags, seborrheic keratoses, or sebaceous hyperplasia, we invite you to contact us or request an appointment using the cosmetic consultation form below. Our team will be happy to evaluate your concerns and discuss whether cosmetic skin lesion removal is right for you.