Skin surgery · Bogotá

Removal of benign skin lesions

Not every skin lesion needs to be removed, and not every lesion is removed the same way. The priority is an accurate diagnosis — confirming that the lesion is genuinely benign — and choosing the technique that best protects the skin and its scar.

When is removal considered?

Moles (nevi), seborrheic keratoses, fibromas or cysts
Lesions that bother, become irritated or catch on clothing or shaving
Aesthetic reasons, when the lesion is clearly benign
Uncertain lesions that require study

Diagnosis first

Before removing any lesion, I assess its characteristics, its course and the patient's history. When there are warning signs — a lesion that changes in size, shape or color, that bleeds, or that appears de novo in an adult — it is not assumed to be benign: it is studied and, if necessary, referred. Removing without diagnosing is the error this approach avoids.

Technique according to the lesion

Not all lesions are removed the same way. The technique is chosen according to the type of lesion, its depth, its location and the quality of the skin, with the aim of resolving it while protecting the resulting scar. In visible areas of the face, planning the scar is a central part of the decision.

Histopathological study

When appropriate, the removed lesion is sent for pathological study to confirm its nature. This is an important part of the process — not an optional formality — because diagnostic certainty protects the patient above the aesthetic result.

Recovery and scarring

Recovery is usually brief, with simple local care. The scar goes through an initial, more visible phase before fading progressively; its course varies from person to person and is explained according to the technique and the area.

Risks

Depending on the lesion and the technique, a visible scar, changes in pigmentation, recurrence of certain lesions or, less frequently, infection may occur. The likelihood depends on the lesion, the area, the skin and the aftercare. No result can be guaranteed absolutely.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know whether a lesion is benign?

Through an evaluation. When a lesion is new, changing, bleeding or has atypical features, it is not assumed to be benign: it is studied. Diagnosis is the first step, before removal.

Is what is removed studied?

When appropriate, the removed lesion is sent for histopathological study to confirm its nature. This is an important part of the process, not an optional formality.

Does it leave a scar?

Every removal leaves some kind of mark. The technique is chosen to achieve the most discreet scar possible for the lesion and the area; its course varies from person to person.

Reviewed by Alexandra Mora, MD
Otolaryngologist and facial plastic surgeon.
Last medical review: August 2026. See professional profile →

This content is for informational purposes and does not replace an individual medical evaluation. If you have any suspicious lesion, consult your physician.

You do not need to know which procedure you need.

A consultation makes it possible to determine whether a lesion is benign, whether it should be removed and with which technique, always attending to the diagnosis and the scar.

Request a skin lesion evaluation