Radiofrequency (RF) Excision in San Diego
AT DERMACARE MEDICAL AESTHETICS
Some lesions, despite being medically harmless, can be bothersome to live with. Perhaps they constantly catch in your clothes, or maybe you’re picking at them before you can even catch yourself. Leaving them like that leads to further discomfort, especially if they start growing because you meddled. Treatments like radiofrequency (RF) excision are a good way to remove these types of lesions without resorting to surgery, leaving smooth skin behind. Dermacare providers can offer this procedure to anyone seeking smooth, blemish-free skin with minimal risk of discomfort.
Candidates for RF Excision
The best candidates for RF excision are those with benign, raised skin spots that are bothersome on the skin. Most people get this procedure to address skin tags, but you can consider it in the following circumstances as well:
- Small to medium-sized benign moles or nevi (the non-cancerous kind)
- Non-dangerous skin bumps, such as warts
- Seborrheic keratoses and other harmless bumps or spots across the skin
You may be a good candidate for RF excision if you have growths in easy-to-see areas, like your face or eyelids. This treatment uses gentle radiofrequency energy to remove the spot with very good control, which helps the skin heal faster. People who have bumps in places that rub against clothing, such as the bra line or neckline, can also benefit from RF excision so the spots do not catch on their clothes anymore.
Patients should be in overall good health when they get this procedure. They shouldn’t have any active infections or other serious health concerns. The ideal candidate is a non-smoker, as smoking delays the healing process. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also avoid this procedure, at least until they successfully wean their child.
How RF Excision Works
RF excision uses radiofrequency energy to remove the unwanted tissue instead of a regular scalpel. The RF moves through the tissue and gently turns the problem cells into vapor. After the spot is removed, a laser helps seal the tiny blood vessels around it, which keeps bleeding very low.
We now have the Ellman Surgitron®, a radiofrequency surgical device that allows us to remove benign, superficial skin tags and lesions, such as a large mole or a wart. The treatment is customizable, as the device can be switched through different modes depending on your needs.
The procedure offers the following:
- Virtually no risk of scarring
- Minimal damage to surrounding skin
- Minimal risk of bleeding or pain
- Rejuvenate your neck, chest, and hands
A small amount of numbing medicine is placed under the spot with a small needle, and the Ellman Surgitron® excision takes place.
The lesion is removed, revealing a raw, non-bleeding surface that is no bigger than the original surface area of the lesion. Areas that can be treated include the face, armpits, breasts, neck, and hands.
Recovery
RF excision recovery depends on the size of the lesion. You can expect some soreness and swelling in the treated area, which is why you should take the first 24 hours to rest. This is particularly important if the lesion is larger, as the numbing medicine needs to wear off. The treated area will look red and feel warm, similar to a mild sunburn.
A small scab or crust will likely form around the lesion, which will fall on its own within the next couple of days. Don’t pick on the scab yourself, as this could lead to scarring. Keep the area dry and clean over the next few days and use a lightweight gel moisturizer to prevent scarring.
Avoid soaking the area over the next couple of days to prevent inflammation. Strenuous exercise should also be avoided, as the sweating can irritate the skin and worsen the symptoms. You should be back to your own self in about 2 weeks, depending on the size of the lesion.
Make sure to protect the wound from the sun to avoid pigmentation changes. Avoid direct exposure to sunlight within the first days of the procedure. Once the lesion has recovered enough, continue to protect it with a broad-spectrum sunblock of at least 30+ SPF.
Results
Results are visible from the moment you step out of the office, but they’ll be concealed by the bandage. There will no longer be a growth on the skin, as it will have been excised. The skin should look raw but non-bleeding in the treated area, and you’ll see a scab forming over the next 24 hours. It takes five to seven days for the scab to fall off on its own, after which you can start enjoying the results.
The swelling and redness in the treatment area may linger for a week or two, as healthy cells are now trying to cover the lesions. The skin flattens out within about two to four weeks, as the RF triggers the formation of new collagen in the area. There may be some pigment, but use sunblock and a correct skincare routine to promote rejuvenation.
Final results appear between a few weeks and a couple of months, depending on the size of the lesion. While the risk of scarring is minimal, it will take some time for the lingering pigmentation to fade. You can maintain the results with proper sun protection and by monitoring the area for recurrence.
Get Radiofrequency (RF) Excision at Dermacare Medical Aesthetics!
To learn more about radiofrequency (RF) excision at Dermacare Medical Aesthetics, please call or text us at any of our five locations:
Call any of our 5 locations
San Juan Capistrano
Call or text at 949-420-9881
San Diego, CA 92128
Carlsbad, CA 92009
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Encinitas, CA 92024
