Our Services

Surgical Dermatology

Surgical dermatology covers procedures to diagnose, remove or repair skin lesions — from a small diagnostic biopsy to the excision of a skin cancer. All are performed under local anaesthetic as day procedures.

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At a glance

What it covers: Biopsy, excision and removal of skin lesions, cysts, lipomas, moles and skin cancers, together with nail surgery and scar treatment.
Anaesthetic: Local anaesthetic. You remain awake and go home the same day.
Why it is done: To establish a diagnosis, to remove something that is causing symptoms, or to treat a confirmed skin cancer.
Tissue examination: Removed tissue is generally sent for microscopic examination to confirm the diagnosis and, for cancers, to check the margins.
Aftercare: Wound care instructions, a review appointment, and suture removal where applicable.

What it is

Dermatological surgery, explained

A great many skin problems are treated with creams and tablets. Some, however, are best dealt with by removing them — either because a diagnosis can only be established by examining the tissue under a microscope, or because the lesion itself needs to go.

Dermatological surgery is performed under local anaesthetic as a day procedure. You are awake throughout, the area is numbed, and you go home afterwards. Most procedures take between fifteen minutes and an hour depending on what is involved.

Three questions guide the approach to any lesion: what is it, does it need to be removed, and what is the best way to remove it given its size, its site and what will produce the neatest result. That discussion happens at consultation, before anything is scheduled.

Procedures

What surgical dermatology includes

The right procedure depends on the diagnosis, the site and what outcome is being sought.

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Diagnostic procedures

Establishing what something is.

Skin biopsy — a small sample taken for microscopic examination
Used where a rash or lesion needs a definitive diagnosis
Several techniques exist, chosen to suit the lesion
Results usually available within several days

✂

Excision of lesions

Complete removal, with a margin where needed.

Skin cancer surgery
Removal of suspicious or changing lesions
Mole removal
Tissue sent for histopathology to confirm diagnosis and margins

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Lumps and bumps

Benign growths that are symptomatic or bothersome.

Cysts — including those that have become inflamed or recurrent
Lipomas
Other benign growths
Removal where a lesion is painful, growing, catching on clothing or of uncertain nature

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Smaller removals

Minor procedures, often quick.

Skin tags
Age spots and seborrhoeic keratoses
Viral warts
Laser mole removal, where appropriate for the lesion

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Nail surgery

For painful and recurrent nail problems.

Surgical treatment of ingrown and pincer nails
Nail matrix biopsy
Assessment of pigmented bands within a nail
Performed under local anaesthetic to the digit

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Scar treatment

Improving the appearance of established scars.

Assessment of scar type — depressed, thickened or keloid
Treatment matched to the scar
Management of scars from surgery, injury or acne
Realistic discussion of what improvement is achievable

Your procedure

What to expect

Before

Tell us about any blood-thinning medication — including aspirin, warfarin and newer anticoagulants — and any supplements, as some increase bleeding. Do not stop prescribed medication without advice. Mention any allergies, any tendency to thickened or keloid scarring, and any implanted devices such as a pacemaker.

During

The area is cleaned and local anaesthetic injected. You will feel a brief sting, then numbness. During the procedure you may be aware of pressure and movement but should not feel sharp pain — tell us if you do, as more anaesthetic can be given. The wound is then closed, usually with sutures, and dressed.

Afterwards

You will be given specific instructions for keeping the wound clean and dry, what to watch for, and when to return. Some discomfort as the anaesthetic wears off is normal and usually settles with simple pain relief. A review appointment is arranged for wound check, suture removal where applicable, and to discuss the histopathology result.

About the scarEvery procedure that breaches the skin leaves a mark. A fresh scar looks its worst in the early weeks and continues to mature and fade over many months. Protecting it from sun exposure during that period makes a real difference to the final appearance, particularly in skin that pigments readily.

Wound care

Helping your wound heal well

Specific instructions will be given for your procedure. These general principles apply to most wounds.

Helpful

Follow the dressing instructions you are given
Keep the wound clean and dry as directed
Rest the area — particularly wounds under tension, such as on the back or limbs
Take simple pain relief if needed
Protect the healing scar from sun exposure for several months
Attend your review appointment even if the wound looks fine

Unhelpful

Strenuous exercise or heavy lifting in the early days
Swimming or soaking the wound until healed
Picking at scabs or removing sutures yourself
Applying unprescribed creams or remedies to a fresh wound
Stopping prescribed blood thinners without medical advice
Ignoring increasing pain, redness, swelling or discharge

Seeking help

When surgical assessment is appropriate

Consider an appointment if you have:

A lesion that is new, changing, growing, bleeding or not healing
A mole you would like assessed, or removed
A lump under the skin such as a cyst or lipoma, particularly if it is painful, inflamed or enlarging
A rash requiring a biopsy to establish the diagnosis
A recurrent ingrown or painful nail
A scar you would like assessed

Contact the clinic promptly after a procedure ifthe wound becomes increasingly painful, red or swollen, produces discharge or an unpleasant odour, bleeds persistently, or if you develop a fever. These may indicate infection or bleeding and should be reviewed rather than waited out.

Dr Chen Qiping

Consultant Dermatologist · MBBS, MRCP (UK), M.Sc, FAMS (Dermatology)

Dr Chen practises surgical dermatology including skin cancer surgery, alongside general, paediatric, laser and cosmetic dermatology. Consultations are available in English and Mandarin.

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Common questions

Surgical dermatology — frequently asked questions

Does skin surgery hurt?

The area is numbed with local anaesthetic before anything is done. You will usually feel a brief sting as the anaesthetic is injected, and pressure or movement during the procedure itself, but not sharp pain. Most people find the experience considerably less uncomfortable than they had anticipated. Any discomfort afterwards is usually mild and manageable with simple pain relief.

Will I be left with a scar?

Any procedure that cuts the skin leaves a scar. The realistic aim is a scar that is as fine and inconspicuous as possible, achieved through careful planning of the incision, meticulous closure and good aftercare. How a scar matures depends on the site, its size, your individual healing tendency, and how well the wound is looked after in the first weeks. Some people are prone to thickened or keloid scars, which is worth discussing beforehand.

What is the difference between a biopsy and an excision?

A biopsy removes a small sample of tissue so that a diagnosis can be established under the microscope. An excision removes a lesion in its entirety, usually with a margin of surrounding skin. Sometimes a biopsy is done first to confirm what something is, and an excision follows if treatment is needed. Which is appropriate depends on the lesion, its size and its site.

How long do stitches stay in?

It varies by site. Stitches on the face are generally removed sooner than those on the trunk or limbs, because facial skin heals faster and prolonged sutures can leave marks. Some closures use dissolving sutures that need no removal. You will be told the plan for your particular wound and given a date to return.

Can I exercise or swim after a procedure?

Not immediately. Strenuous activity increases blood flow and tension across a healing wound, which raises the risk of bleeding and can widen the eventual scar. Swimming and soaking are avoided until the wound has healed. Specific timeframes depend on the site and the size of the wound, and will be explained to you.

What happens to the tissue that is removed?

In most cases it is sent for histopathology — examination under a microscope by a pathologist. This confirms the diagnosis and, where a cancer has been removed, confirms whether the margins are clear. Results generally take several days, and you will be advised how and when you will receive them.

Is Mohs surgery available?

Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialised staged technique in which tissue is removed and examined layer by layer during the same visit, sparing healthy tissue. It is used for selected skin cancers, particularly in cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas. Whether it is the most appropriate approach for a particular lesion — and where it should be performed — is part of the discussion at consultation.

References

DermNet. Skin biopsy and Skin surgery. dermnetnz.org
Cleveland Clinic. Mohs Surgery. clevelandclinic.org
Mayo Clinic. Mohs surgery. mayoclinic.org

Page last reviewed: 28 July 2026.

Important — This page is general information about a skin condition and is not medical advice. It cannot take the place of an individual consultation, examination and diagnosis. Treatment options, their suitability and their possible side effects should be discussed with a qualified doctor who has assessed your skin. Individual results vary. If you have concerns about your skin, please arrange a consultation.

Have a lesion that needs assessing or removing?

Arrange a consultation with Dr Chen Qiping at our Collyer Quay clinic — two minutes' walk from Raffles Place MRT.

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