Radiofrequency removal of skin lesions is a type of dermatologic surgical procedure. It involves radiofrequency electrosurgery, developed to precisely remove skin lesions with minimal bleeding and virtually invisible scarring.
The device delivers high-frequency current at a low temperature through a surgical electrode shaped like a knife, causing minimal damage to the surrounding skin.
This method has a direct therapeutic effect on tissue and, aside from its use in dermatology, is also widely applied in other fields of medicine, such as gynecology, cardiology, plastic surgery, ophthalmology, orthopedics, urology, neurosurgery, and general surgery.
The electrosurgical system consists of a generator, an active and passive electrode, and the patient. Before the procedure, a topical anesthetic cream or intradermal injection is applied to the area to be treated. After radiofrequency excision, the lesion is removed using a sterile forceps.
This method is used to remove benign skin lesions, such as:
Hemangiomas
Cysts
Soft fibromas
Skin tags
Seborrheic keratoses
Condylomas
Xanthelasmas
Common warts (on hands and feet)
Molluscum contagiosum
Pyogenic granulomas
Telangiectasias
Pigmented lesions (moles) must not be removed using this method. The only appropriate approach is surgical excision (excisio in toto) with histopathological (HP) analysis. Additionally, lesions with a base larger than 1 cm cannot be treated with radiofrequency.
The procedure is very quick—only a few seconds per lesion—and is accompanied by minimal, almost unnoticeable bleeding.
A few minutes before the procedure, a topical anesthetic cream is applied for smaller lesions. For larger lesions, intradermal anesthetic is used to numb the treatment area. This ensures the procedure is painless and comfortable for the patient.
No suturing or bandaging is required after the procedure. A small scab is expected to form, depending on the size of the lesion removed. Patients are usually advised to apply antibiotic ointment for a few days until the treated area fully heals.
Before removing any skin lesion, a dermatological examination with dermoscopy is necessary to determine whether the lesion can be safely removed using this method.
It’s also important to note that this procedure is not recommended for pregnant women or patients with a pacemaker.
After treatment, a hemorrhagic scab typically forms, which naturally falls off within 3 to 10 days, depending on the depth and size of the lesion. The skin underneath may appear light pink or lighter than the surrounding skin, which is a normal part of the healing process. Over time, the skin tone blends in with the surrounding area, resulting in an optimal aesthetic outcome.
