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Skin Lesion Removal and Minor Procedures

Dr Claudia Lakay18 March 2026Updated 10 April 2026

Common Skin Lesions

Skin lesions are extremely common and range from harmless cosmetic concerns to potentially serious conditions. At NeoHealth, Dr Lakay performs a variety of minor surgical procedures for safe removal in a comfortable in-office setting.

Types of Skin Lesions

  • Moles (naevi) — usually benign pigmented spots
  • Warts — caused by the human papillomavirus
  • Sebaceous cysts — firm lumps beneath the skin filled with keratin
  • Skin tags — small benign growths in skin folds
  • Lipomas — soft fatty lumps under the skin

The ABCDE Rule for Monitoring Moles

Any lesion that changes should be evaluated promptly. Use the ABCDE rule:

  • A — Asymmetry
  • B — Border irregularity
  • C — Colour variation
  • D — Diameter greater than 6 mm
  • E — Evolution or change over time

If any of these features are present, seek medical assessment without delay — these can be signs of melanoma.

Removal Procedures

Options depend on the lesion type and location:

  1. Excision — cutting out the lesion under local anaesthetic
  2. Shave removal — for raised lesions
  3. Cryotherapy — freezing warts and small superficial lesions
  4. Incision and drainage — for certain cysts

All procedures are performed under sterile conditions with local anaesthesia, and most patients return to normal activities immediately.

Aftercare

  • Keep the wound clean and dry
  • Apply the prescribed ointment
  • Avoid sun exposure on the treated area
  • Attend your follow-up appointment
  • Excised lesions are sent for histological examination to confirm diagnosis

Dr Lakay also offers aesthetic removal options for lesions in visible areas, ensuring the best possible cosmetic outcome. Book a skin assessment at NeoHealth if you have any lesion causing concern.

About the Author

Dr Claudia Lakay

Dispensing General Practitioner & Co-founder

Stellenbosch graduate. Trained in the rural Eastern Cape before practising in East London. One of the few female GPs in George offering dedicated women's health — pap smears, IUD insertion, hormonal c...

MBChB (Stellenbosch University)

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