Close-up of freckled skin with visible sun spots, emphasising cumulative sun damage and the need for regular skin checks at Apex Skin Clinic Berkshire Grove Hospital.

Excision (Minor & Complex) for Skin Lesions

Specialist-led removal of skin lesions — from straightforward moles to complex reconstructions.

Close-up of a woman's face showing sun-damaged skin and freckles, highlighting the importance of sun protection and early skin cancer detection at Apex Skin Clinic Berkshire Grove Hospital.

What is Excision Surgery?

Commonly referred to as: skin lesion removal, mole excision, surgical skin removal, skin lump surgery, minor skin surgery.

If you have a skin lesion that is causing discomfort, changing in appearance, or needs to be removed for diagnostic reasons, excision surgery may be the right option for you.

This is a highly effective surgical technique where the lesion is cut out along with a margin of healthy tissue. The goal is to fully clear the lesion and allow the treated skin to heal naturally.

At Apex Skin Clinic, we provide both minor skin procedures for smaller lesions, and more advanced complex skin surgeries for cancers or larger lesions. Whether it is a skin tag excision, mole excision, or advanced reconstruction, our experienced consultant dermatologists and plastic surgeons perform each surgery with care and precision.

What Are The Benefits Of Excision Surgery?

Surgery provides complete treatment in a single session. It removes both surface cells and deeper tissue, unlike treatments that only target thin layers of skin. It also gives a clear diagnosis. Every lesion is sent for histopathology, confirming whether any further care is required — especially important for types of skin cancer.

Surgery can be used on larger lesions, lesions in skin folds, or those where skin rubs occur — areas where other methods may fail. In addition, surgery can prevent recurrence, offering long-term peace of mind.

At Apex Skin Clinic, all procedures are carried out using techniques designed to minimise scarring and restore healthy tissue. For many patients, this is the most effective option to clear lesions fully and maintain excellent cosmetic results.

  • Your consultation will include a full examination and a detailed discussion about the plan. You’ll learn about anaesthetic options, healing time, scarring, and aftercare.

    If mole excision or skin tag removal is planned, or if mole mapping is required, this will be arranged in advance. Photographs may also be taken for your records.

  • After this, you will return to the clinic where a specialised PDT light treatment for skin will be applied for 5 Most minor procedures are performed under local anaesthetic to numb the area. The surgery usually takes between 15 minutes and over an hour, depending on whether a small amount or larger excision is needed.

    When more complex techniques are used, such as skin grafting or flap repair, the surgical plan will be fully explained in advance. Most patients go home the same day.

  • You will be provided with clear wound care instructions, and your consultant will arrange any necessary follow-up. Stitches are removed between 5 and 14 days after surgery.

    You will also be shown how to care for your treated skin — including using silicone gel, massage, and sun protection to minimise scarring.

    Recovery time varies depending on the site and extent of the surgery. Many patients return to light activity quickly, while larger operations may require longer rest.

    At your follow-up, your histology results will be reviewed and next steps discussed if needed.

Close-up of freckles across a woman’s shoulder and neck, illustrating sun-related pigmentation and the importance of regular skin monitoring at Apex Skin Clinic Berkshire Grove Hospital.

Who Should Consider Surgical Removal?

Surgical skin removal can treat a wide range of concerns. We see many patients for skin tag removal, mole removal, and the removal of other benign lesions like lipomas or cysts.

These may cause discomfort, especially in skin folds or areas subject to skin rubs, or may simply be unwanted for cosmetic reasons.

Basal cell carcinoma and other types of skin cancer must also be treated surgically, along with pre-cancerous changes such as Bowen’s disease. Removing such lesions with clear margins helps prevent future problems.

Patients often seek this treatment if they notice a mole or lesion changing in size, colour or shape. It is also the best approach when lesions appear in sensitive parts of the body, such as the eyelids, nose or lower limbs, where expert technique is needed to achieve the best outcome.

If your GP or dermatologist has advised removal — or if you are concerned about a lesion — surgical removal may give you peace of mind and long-term results.

How Excision Surgery Works

Your consultant will first assess the lesion to decide whether a small amount of tissue or a larger excision is required. Either way, the aim is to completely remove a skin lesion while protecting the surrounding healthy skin.

For minor skin procedures such as mole excision or skin tag excision, surgery is performed under local anaesthetic. The area is numbed, and the doctor removes the lesion using fine instruments. This is quick and comfortable, usually taking 15 to 30 minutes.

For larger lesions or cancers, the surgery may involve skin grafts or flap repair to achieve the best cosmetic and functional result. Lymph node surgery may also be included when needed for advanced melanoma.

Each operation is planned around your personal needs — taking into account the part of the body being treated and the type of lesion.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes — all surgery creates a scar. However, we aim for small, neat scars and will guide you on aftercare.

  • If cancer is confirmed, your consultant will advise on next steps. This may include further surgery or monitoring.

  • No — local anaesthetic ensures a comfortable experience.

  • Minor treatments address small lesions like skin tags or moles. Complex surgery treats cancers or larger lesions and may include reconstruction.

Find Skin Lesion Surgery Near You

Apex Skin Clinic offers consultant-led skin lesion surgery for skin cancer and pre-cancerous lesions at our private dermatology clinic in Berkshire Grove Hospital, Maidenhead.

We welcome patients from Windsor, Eton, Marlow, Slough, Ascot, and throughout Berkshire, London and Surrey, seeking expert care and effective non-surgical skin cancer treatments.

Skin Lesion Surgery in Maidenhead, Windsor, Eton and Beyond

Apex Skin Clinic offers expert skin lesion surgery — from mole removal and skin tag excision to advanced cancer treatment — at Berkshire Grove Hospital, Maidenhead.

We treat patients from Windsor, Eton, Marlow, Slough, Ascot, and throughout Berkshire, London and Surrey.