A fast, minor procedure to scrape away and treat superficial skin growths.
Surgical Removal
Curettage and electrosurgery (sometimes called ED&C) combines scraping away a superficial growth with a sharp instrument (curette) and then using a mild electrical current to destroy any remaining abnormal cells and control bleeding. It's a quick, well-tolerated option for select superficial lesions.
Select superficial basal cell carcinomas, some actinic keratoses, and certain benign growths that don't require a full excision.
Performed under local anesthesia in the office. The growth is scraped away with a curette, and the base is treated with electrosurgery, often repeated once or twice to ensure thorough removal.
Leaves a shallow wound that's kept covered and moist while healing, typically over two to four weeks. Some redness or a flat scar can remain at the site.
Myth: Scraping a growth away is less effective than cutting it out. Fact: For the right, superficial lesions, curettage and electrosurgery has a strong track record -- it's simply not appropriate for deeper or higher-risk growths.
Best suited for superficial, lower-risk lesions -- your dermatologist will confirm whether a growth qualifies based on its type, depth, and location.