Medical

Dermatologic Procedures

At Dermatology Associates, we offer a wide array of dermatology procedures aimed at diagnosing, treating, and managing various skin conditions and diseases.

Common Medical Dermatologic Procedures

At Dermatology Associates of Birmingham, our team of seasoned professionals excels in addressing a wide range of dermatological issues. We deal with common skin concerns and also tackle more complex skin conditions. Furthermore, our providers are well skilled in surgery and are equipped to handle difficult skin cancers.

Skin Biopsy

A skin biopsy is a diagnostic procedure that involves removing a small piece of skin for lab examination, commonly used to diagnose various skin conditions. This procedure is typically performed on patients with suspicious skin lesions or moles. Under local anesthesia, different biopsy types like shave, punch, or excisional biopsies are carried out, with shave biopsy involving scraping the skin’s surface with a tool resembling a razor.

Cryotherapy (Liquid Nitrogen)

Cryotherapy is a non-invasive procedure employing extreme cold, typically liquid nitrogen, to eradicate abnormal tissue such as actinic keratoses, seborrhoeic keratoses, viral warts, molluscum contagiosum, and skin tags. The application of liquid nitrogen involves the application of liquid nitrogen to the affected area, essentially destroying the lesion so it can eventually shed off.

Excisional Surgery

Excisional surgery is a common procedure performed by dermatologists to remove a wide array of lesions including skin cancers, cysts and atypical moles. This procedure involves cutting out the lesion and a surrounding margin of healthy skin under local anesthesia.

Electrocautery

Electrocauterization is a method that utilizes electrical currents to cut tissue or eliminate superficial skin growths by applying heat. It’s commonly used to stop bleeding from small blood vessels and remove growths like skin tags and angiomas. Electrocautery offers precise treatment and can be performed under local anesthesia.

Inflammatory Acne Injections

Inflammatory acne injections involve the direct injection of corticosteroids into inflamed acne lesions. The corticosteroids help to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain associated with these deep acne lesions, promoting faster healing.

Electrodessication and Curettage (ED&C)

Electrodesiccation and curettage is a technique utilized for treating small skin cancers or precancerous lesions, as well as benign growths. Typically performed under local anesthesia, this procedure involves scraping off abnormal tissue with a specialized tool and then cauterizing the area to stop bleeding. It’s commonly employed among patients with basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma in situ.