Skin and minor surgery
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Mole removalA mole is removed with a scalpel, a laser, or a radio wave device, with local numbing. Most often, the tissue is sent to the lab to be checked.⏱ usually 15 to 30 minutesWart removalThe wart is frozen with liquid nitrogen, which is very cold. The tissue dies and falls off after a few days.⏱ usually 5 to 15 minutesSkin tag removalSoft growths on the skin are removed with radio waves, a laser, electric cautery, or freezing. Usually with local anesthetic.⏱ usually 10 to 30 minutes, depending on how manyLipoma and cyst removalA surgeon removes a soft lump under the skin through a small cut, with local numbing. The tissue is usually sent to a lab to be checked under a microscope.⏱ usually 20 to 60 minutesDraining an abscess or boilA surgeon numbs the skin, makes a small cut, and lets the pus out. Then the wound is rinsed and bandaged.⏱ usually 15 to 30 minutes, then dressing changes for a few daysIngrown toenail removalWith local numbing, the doctor removes the edge of the nail that has grown into the skin. Usually only a strip is removed, not the whole nail.⏱ usually 20 to 40 minutesTick removalA doctor or nurse carefully pulls out the attached tick in one piece. The tick can be sent to a lab to test for infections.⏱ the removal itself takes a few minutesDermatoscopyThe doctor looks at your moles through a special magnifier with a light, called a dermatoscope. It shows details you cannot see with the naked eye.⏱ usually 15 to 30 minutes