Precision Treatment for Common Skin Growths
Electrodesiccation is a quick, safe, and highly effective procedure used by dermatologists to treat a variety of minor skin lesions and certain types of skin cancer. By using targeted electrical energy, we can precisely remove unwanted tissue with minimal impact on the surrounding healthy skin.
What Can Electrodesiccation Treat?
This versatile procedure is commonly used for both medical and cosmetic purposes, including:
- Skin Cancers: Superficial basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and (in some cases) squamous cell carcinomas (SCCiS).
- Pre-Cancers: Actinic Keratoses (rough, scaly patches caused by sun damage).
- Benign Growths: Skin tags, seborrheic keratoses (AKA, SKs, or wart-like growths), dermatosis papulose nigra (an SK-variant), and sebaceous hyperplasia.
- Vascular Lesions: Cherry angiomas (small red bumps) and broken capillaries.
- Warts: Stubborn viral warts that haven’t responded to other treatments.
How the Procedure Works
We prioritize your comfort throughout the process. Here is what you can expect during your appointment:
- Numbing: The area is cleaned, and a local anesthetic is injected to eliminate pain.
- Curettage (Optional): For certain lesions, the provider may use a curette (a small, ring-shaped instrument) to gently scrape away the abnormal tissue.
- Desiccation: A specialized device delivers high-frequency electrical current to the targeted area. This “dries out” the remaining cells and cauterizes blood vessels to prevent bleeding.
- Healing: A wound will result, which typically heals within one to three weeks.
Why Choose This Treatment?
Electrodesiccation and curettage is often the preferred method for superficial lesions because it is efficient, does not require traditional sutures (stitches), and offers a high success rate for specific skin cancers.
- Fast: Most treatments take only 5–15 minutes.
- No Stitches: The wound heals naturally from the bottom up.
- In-Office: Performed right here in our clinic with no downtime required.
Electrodesiccation & Curettage (ED&C)
Before & After Photos
Before & After
Case: 1 of 1
45-year-old female with dermatosis papulose nigra (seborrheic keratoses) on cheeks and upper eyelid. Before and after electrodesiccation.
*Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
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*Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Post-Procedure Care
Following your treatment, we will provide specific instructions to ensure optimal healing. Generally, this involves keeping the area clean and applying a healing ointment (like petroleum jelly) and a bandage daily until the skin has regenerated.
Electrodesiccation & Curettage (ED&C) FAQ
Am I a good candidate for electrodessication?
We consider many factors before recommending electrodessication or other treatments. These factors include:
- The type of lesion or skin concern that we need to remove
- The size and depth of the lesion
- Each patient’s personal preferences
- The potential risk of recurrence
- Each patient’s personal preferences
- Comorbidities and medical history
Can some conditions preclude me from treatment?
No single treatment is universally appropriate. We can discuss alternative treatments for patients with electronic implants (such as pacemakers). Electrodessication is generally not advised for melanoma or skin cancers that are large, aggressive, or recurrent. Additionally, those patients with conditions like keloids or vascular disease may be at increased risk of developing severe scars following treatment.
How does electrodessication feel?
Because we numb the treatment site, electrodessication is a well-tolerated procedure. At first, you may feel a slight pinch, stinging, burning, and pressure. This soon subsides and occurs as the needle is inserted, and lidocaine is administered. During treatment, sensations are limited to a dull pressure as well as slight warmth from the instruments and heat used to cauterize tissue.
When is curettage used with electrodessication?
Scraping out the tissue with a curette may be recommended to selectively remove abnormal or cancerous skin cells that feel different from healthy tissue. This step may also support the effectiveness of electrodessication, helping the electrical current to better penetrate and treat tissue. Curettage may also be used as a diagnostic tool to aid in identifying suspected skin cancers.
How do I prepare for treatment?
Avoid tanning your skin in any way (including with self-tanners) prior to treatment, because sun exposure or tanning can increase your risk of complications like persistent white or dark spots. You may also need to discontinue taking certain medications or products (such as Accutane or Retin-A) before treatment, because they can make your skin more fragile and sensitive to the effects of the electrodessication process. Antiviral therapy may also be prescribed if you have a history of cold sores, as treatment can cause a flare-up.
What will my skin look like after treatment?
Common side effects include redness, swelling, crusting, and the formation of a scab. Do not pick, rub, or scratch at the scab, because it will naturally fall off as your skin heals. If you disturb the healing site, it can lead to scars. Eventually, your skin will become pink, and that pinkness may fade to your pre-treatment skin tone. We can advise on skincare products and techniques to soothe, hydrate, and gently cleanse your skin.
Is electrodessication a “one-and-done” treatment?
This treatment is highly effective for many growths. So, it usually does not require follow-up treatments, and the process can be completed in one visit. Some cancers or lesions can still recur or persist, and electrodessication may be in your future again if new growths arise that require treatment.
What are treatment alternatives?
Depending on factors such as the nature or location of the growth, our specialists may recommend treatments such as Mohs Micrographic Surgery (for certain recurrent cancers), cryotherapy, laser therapy, or standard excision or removal of the lesion.
Schedule a Consultation
To find the right treatment option, talk to Dr. Krathen. He and his team at Essential Dermatology serve patients from Natick and the surrounding areas, MA. To get started, call our office at (508) 545-9713 or request a consultation by filling out our online form. To book an appointment, schedule your visit as a new patient using our online scheduler or as an existing patient using the Mass General Brigham Patient Gateway.
