SKIN LESION REMOVAL
Skin Lesion Removal AKA Advanced Cosmetic Procedures (ACP) uses electrolysis and is becoming increasingly popular to treat skin lesions quickly and easily with immediate and effective results.
Do you have an irritating red vein on your face? A cluster of annoying skin tags round the neck line? White bumps that just won't go away?
A lot of clients who come into our clinic have no idea what Advanced Cosmetic Procedures treatment is and what conditions the treatment is able to treat. However the treatment has been around for many years and was developed to treat a variety of skin conditions, safely and comfortably. How the treatment is performed really depends on the condition that we are trying to treat.
So, what is Advanced Cosmetic Procedures?
A procedure that involves the use of short-wave diathermy which produces heat, and is passed through a very fine needle and used to cauterise the skin blemish.
This popular, non-invasive treatment can rid you unsightly skin blemishes with minimal or no scarring.
How Do Advanced Cosmetic Procedures Work?
The treatment utilises a very fine probe through which a tiny electrical current is discharged, cauterising the blood vessels around the blemish, causing it to dry up and disappear. After the treatment, the skin will begin its natural healing process. The skin cells which were treated with the electrical current will eventually flake off in the same way that that a cut or graze heals. In some cases the treated area may scab over and you can expect to see some redness after the initial treatment.
What Skin Conditions Can Be Treated With Advanced Cosmetic Procedures?
(Some forms of pigmentation may require GP clearance before treating)
These are permanently dilated capillaries. They have very thin walls which constantly dilate and constrict. As we age, these vessels loose their elasticity and can become permanently dilated.
Spider Naevus a central dilated blood vessel, with smaller capillaries coming from it like spiders legs can be individual isolated blemishes or can be multiple in areas such as the cheeks or chest area.
These vascular blemishes are also known as Campbell de Morgan Spots or Blood Spots. They present themselves as slightly raised or dome shaped and are of unknown origin.
Skin Tags are a common fibrous skin condition often found in areas of friction such as the armpits, under the breasts, groin or around the neck where necklaces or collars may irritate.
Very superficially under the epidermis, milia present themselves as small white lipid-epithelium plugs which contain lamellated keratin deposits and often show as hard, solid lumps lying in the superficial papillary dermis.
Age Spots are caused by an accumulation of a yellow pigment called lipofuscin from ageing of the collagen producing cells. They are very common on the hands and face of middle aged and elderly patients and are usually despised by them as they are so recognisably a sign of increasing age.
Sebaceous Cyst or (Steatoma) is retention of keratin trapped under the surface of the skin trapped within a sebaceous sac which is created from skin cells. They are painless, slow-growing, small bumps or lumps that move freely under the skin and to the trained eye, are usually easily diagnosed by their appearance.
Sebaceous hyperplasia is a skin condition that becomes more common with age. It’s caused when your sebaceous oil glands produce too much oil, which can be trapped under your skin and cause bumps.
Common noncancerous skin growth. You are more likely to develop them as you get older. Seborrheic keratoses can vary in colour and size but they are usually brown, black or light tan. The growths can look waxy, scaly and slightly raised. They usually appear on the head, neck, chest or back.
THE EXPERIENCE
Before your skin lesion removal at our Dubbo Skin and Laser Clinic, you’ll have an in depth consultation to help create a personalised treatment plan for you. This is based on an assessment of the treatment area, as well as your medical history. Client safety and care is of the utmost importance to all of us, and therefore this will ensure your happiness and well-being, and that you receive the results you deserve.
Please note that not all skin lesions can be successfully removed. We will recommend the best method for treatment during the consultation phase. Some blemishes may require a GP’s written consent prior to treatment.
Before the treatment begins
We will cleanse and sterilise the skin. The tip of a fine, small probe (about the size of an eyelash) is introduced along the area to be treated and a tiny energy current is discharged. This dries up and destroys the condition which often disappears as it is being treated. Further treatments may be necessary however depending on the severity of the problem.
The treatment itself is a little uncomfortable but easily tolerated, there are minimal after effects, with a little tightness and scabbing to be expected.
We do recommend that you purchase a topical anaesthetic from your local pharmacy (we suggest Emla). Apply as directed one hour before your arrival to Creative Skin and Laser, covering the area with a plaster or cling wrap to ensure maximum effectiveness.
The amount of treatment time that may be required for different areas is extremely variable depending on the skin condition and the proliferation of its effect.
Normally it is not necessary but some conditions can be quite resilient and more than one treatment may be necessary.
ACP is a completely safe procedure, with no reports of major skin complications or painful side effects.
Post Treatment
Initially some areas may look worse before it looks better, you must be patient and allow the area to heal fully, never picking any scabbing off or exfoliating too soon. Timing of your treatment is important, do not book immediately prior to a special occasion or holiday.
There is a degree of discomfort with some of the procedures, we are using heat to treat the blemish so some warmth is felt in the area at the time of treatment.
An antiseptic cream is applied post treatment to help soothe.
Depending on the size of area treated the discomfort may last a few hours. It is common, and expected, that after some treatments there will be some scabbing; this is discussed during the consultation.
No downtime is required, and you will be able to resume daily activities straight away.
Number of Treatments
This depends on the blemish we are treating; for example, once a skin tag has been removed it will not regrow but telangiectasia may need 3-4 treatments.