Bruising: can occur as a result of injecting local anaesthetic – this is more likely on the face or about the eyelids. This settles without any lasting problems within a week or so.
Pinkness: the treated area once healed may be slightly pink or even red for several months – this usually resolves over a period of 4-6 months.
Infection: is an uncommon complication of this surgical method. It is more likely to occur in the deeper wounds associated with wart removal rather than the site of a skin tag or mole removal. Increasing pain, heat, redness and smelly discharge are signs of infection. If you think an infection is developing please call us and we will arrange an urgent follow-up appointment.
Scarring: is usually not associated with the removal of moles or skin tags, although infection can result in scarring. Scar tissue can form when warts are removed.
Delayed healing: This is a very rare complication that can occur and is usually on the lower leg or anterior chest.
Pigmentation: Again very rarely the removal of the surface of a mole can stimulate the production of pigment. The site of the raised mole heals flat as expected but brown or black pigment can form under the skin for about 3 to 5 months after the surgery. It is often best to leave the pigment as removing it requires breaking the skin surface and therefore a small scar would form.
Regrowth: Occasionally a skin tag, mole or “barnacle” will re-grow. This usually occurs within a year or so of removing the lesion.
Incomplete removal: Occasionally a lesion is incompletely removed. This can occur because a small fragment of the lesion remains and cannot be seen at the time of surgery and is not obvious until the lesion has healed. A brief follow up procedure will remove the remaining lesion. The cost for a follow-up procedure is approximately $50.