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:

  1. Numbing: The area is cleaned, and a local anesthetic is injected to eliminate pain.
  2. Curettage (Optional): For certain lesions, the provider may use a curette (a small, ring-shaped instrument) to gently scrape away the abnormal tissue.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

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

How long does it take to heal?

Healing time varies based on the size and location of the treated area. Ideally, the wound is kept moist so that a crust or scab does not form. Keeping the wound under moist occlusion helps reduce the scarring risk. In some cases, where cosmesis is less important, the wound can be allowed to ‘dry out’, forming a scab to heal without further intervention. Most sites heal completely within 1 to 3 weeks. Areas on the face tend to heal faster, while spots on the legs will take significantly longer.

Will it leave a scar?

Any procedure that removes tissue may result in a small scar. Typically, electrodesiccation leaves a flat, white, or pinkish mark that is roughly the size of the original lesion. These marks often fade and blend into the surrounding skin over time.

Can I shower after the procedure?

Yes, but we recommend waiting 24 hours before getting the area wet. After that, you can gently wash the site with mild soap and water. Avoid soaking in bathtubs, swimming pools, or hot tubs until the wound has completely healed.

Is electrodesiccation the same as “burning” a spot off?

Technically, yes. It uses a high-frequency electric current to dehydrate and destroy the tissue. While “burning” may seem “aggressive”, the careful application and artistic touch during the treatment allows the clinician to limit the wounding to the minimum amount necessary to accomplish the therapeutic goal, making it much more controlled than the term might suggest.

When will I get my results (if a biopsy was taken)?

In most cases, there is no tissue sample (pathology) sent from a curettage. In rare circumstances, at Essential Dermatology, a curettage will be sent for a biopsy. If we performed a curettage to diagnose a suspected skin cancer, the sample is sent to a pathology lab for testing. Results typically return within 7 to 10 business days, at which point our office will contact you to discuss the findings and any necessary next steps.

Pro-Tip for Your Patients

Sun Protection is Key: Once your treated spot heals, the new skin will be very sensitive to the sun. We highly recommend applying a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ to the area to prevent hyperpigmentation (darkening of the scar).

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.