Electrocautery:
A Precise Dermatological Treatment
Electrocautery is a minor dermatological procedure that uses a controlled electric current to generate heat, which is then applied to targeted skin tissue. This technique is commonly used to remove benign skin lesions such as warts, skin tags, seborrheic keratoses, and other non-cancerous growths.
How It Works:
- A metal probe, heated by an electric current, is carefully applied to the lesion.
- The heat burns and destroys the unwanted tissue while simultaneously cauterizing (sealing) small blood vessels to reduce bleeding.
- Local anesthesia is typically administered to ensure patient comfort during the procedure.
Benefits:
- Precision: Only the affected tissue is targeted, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy skin.
- Minimal bleeding: The heat seals blood vessels, reducing bleeding and the risk of infection.
- Quick recovery: Healing usually occurs within 1 to 2 weeks, with minimal scarring in most cases.
- Convenient: The procedure is generally fast, often completed in 15 to 30 minutes.
Electrocautery is a safe and effective option for removing superficial skin lesions with minimal discomfort and downtime.
Possible Side Effects and Post-Treatment Care
Side effects may include, but are not limited to: mild to severe redness, local swelling, bruising, tenderness, stinging, skin darkening, and, in rare cases, infection. Most side effects are temporary and typically resolve within 7 to 21 days.
You are advised not to touch, rub, or scratch the treated area. Do not pick at any scabs; allow them to fall off naturally to prevent scarring and promote proper healing.
It is important to:
- Keep the treated area clean.
- Use recommended hydrating and soothing skincare products.
- Avoid sun exposure for at least one week.
- Apply a broad-spectrum sunblock to the area until it is completely healed.
You will be provided with guidance on professional, protective post-care skincare products to support and accelerate the healing process.
Common Conditions Treated with Electrocautery:
- Warts
Effectively removes common and plantar warts by destroying the virus-infected tissue. - Skin Tags
Safely eliminates soft, skin-colored growths that commonly appear on the neck, underarms, or eyelids. - Seborrheic Keratoses
Removes these benign, often age-related lesions that appear as rough, waxy, or wart-like growths. - Cherry Angiomas
Targets small, bright red vascular lesions, commonly found on the torso, arms, and legs. - Milia
Treats tiny, white keratin-filled cysts that typically appear around the eyes or cheeks. - Age Spots (Solar Lentigines / Hyperpigmentation Spots)
Lightens or removes flat, brown discolorations caused by sun exposure—commonly treated areas include the hands, face, and arms. - Actinic Keratosis
Can be used to treat rough, scaly patches that are considered precancerous, reducing the risk of progression to skin cancer.
While many patients achieve satisfying results with a single electrocautery treatment, some cases may require multiple sessions to achieve the desired outcome. It’s important to understand that individual results can vary, and there is no absolute guarantee that the expected results will be fully achieved. Your body’s unique healing response plays a significant role in the final outcome of the procedure.
We are now accommodating appointments Monday – Friday with some extended hours. Appointment times have been lengthened, as well as time between appointments to allow for complete disinfection of treatment rooms.
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have
We appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing you again soon!
