Benign Lesions
in Connecticut

As people age, skin tumors can become a common issue and can appear anywhere on the body. These can be either malignant (cancerous) or benign (harmless).

Some of the most common benign skin lesions people in Hartford, New Haven, Norwalk, Greenwich, and Avon notice with age include warts, nevi (birthmarks or moles that are dark brown or black), skin tags, solar lentigos (age spots), sebaceous hyperplasia, and seborrheic keratoses (skin growths that could be skin-colored to dark brown in color).

Most lesions are easy to recognize as benign, like a skin tag, and these don’t require a skin biopsy. Some lesions are not identifiable, and these need to be biopsied to determine if they are benign or malignant.

Lesions that appear to be malignant need to undergo a skin biopsy to confirm a diagnosis before performing an excision and reconstruction. Dr. Stanislaw works with a dermatopathologist to determine whether the lesion is benign or malignant.

What causes benign skin tumors?

No one knows the cause of the most common types of benign skin tumors; however, heredity seems to play a role in most lesions. They are also most common in middle-aged and older patients.

What is the treatment for benign skin tumors?

Usually, no treatment is required for benign tumors; however, people often dislike the appearance of these benign skin lesions and wish to have them removed. Usually, three treatments for benign skin lesions of the face are most effective. They include chemical peels, shave incisions, and surgical excision. Which one is right for you will depend on the type of skin lesion and the results you’re looking for.

Chemical Peel

A chemical peel is used for flat pigmented skin lesions of the face, neck, and hands. We will apply a mild acid to the pigmented spot, and the acid removes the pigmented cells. You will want to apply Vaseline to the site for 7 to 10 days. After this time, the skin heals and the new skin is slightly pink for a couple of days to weeks.

Shave Incision

A shave incision shaves off the top of a raised lesion and does not require any sutures. Shaving the top of the lesion leaves the base of the lesion and allows the possibility of recurrence. Shave incisions are best performed in locations where total surgical excision is difficult or where a linear scar is not desirable.

Benign Lesions Gallery

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Surgical Excision

A surgical excision is a procedure where the entire lesion (top and bottom) is removed by Dr. Stanislaw. Surgical excision can be performed on both flat and raised lesions and requires the placement of sutures.

The benefit of surgical excision is that the risk of recurrence of the lesion is very low. The drawback of surgical excision is that it results in a scar. Everything is done to minimize the scar following surgical excision.

Schedule a Consultation

The treatment options for a specific benign skin lesion will be discussed during your consultation with Dr. Stanislaw. Patients interested in learning more about benign skin lesions can contact Dr. Stanislaw at Stanislaw Facial Plastic Surgery Center for more information.