Electrodesiccation
Removal of skin tags, cherry spots and other small harmless growths with a fine electric needle
Electrodesiccation removes small harmless growths with a fine needle that carries a tiny electrical current. Skin tags, cherry spots, sebaceous hyperplasia, seborrheic keratoses and DPN dry, crust and fall away, and the skin beneath heals flat and smooth. It is commonly paired with Fraxel FTX for the best cosmetic result.
What it treats
Is this for you?
- Skin tags
- Cherry spots (cherry angiomas)
- Sebaceous hyperplasia, the small yellowish bumps on the face
- Seborrheic keratoses
- Dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN), the small dark spots common on deeper skin tones
- Other small harmless growths in the top layers of the skin
How it works
Read the steps
What it treats. Electrodesiccation is used for small benign growths that sit in the top layers of the skin: sebaceous hyperplasia, skin tags, seborrheic keratoses and similar spots.
- Numb. The spot is numbed with a drop of local anesthetic, so the treatment itself is comfortable and takes only seconds per lesion.
- Dry. A fine needle tip delivers a tiny electrical current to the growth. The current dries and seals the tissue precisely, without touching the healthy skin around it.
- Crust. The treated growth becomes a small dry crust. It separates on its own over the following week or two; picking it is the one thing to avoid.
- Heal. Underneath, fresh skin has already formed. The spot heals flat and smooth, and any pinkness fades over the following weeks.
A fine needle tip delivers a tiny electrical current to the growth. The current dries and seals the tissue precisely, without touching the healthy skin around it. The treated growth becomes a small dry crust that separates on its own over the following week or two, and the fresh skin underneath heals flat and smooth.
Every spot is examined first to confirm it is harmless; one that is bleeding, painful or changing is checked with a biopsy rather than treated. Electrodesiccation is commonly paired with Fraxel FTX: electrodesiccation removes the raised growths, and Fraxel FTX evens out the tone and texture of the skin around them, for the best cosmetic result.
Results
Before and after Fraxel FTX with electrodesiccation.
Sun damage and precancerous spots.
Fraxel FTX resurfacing, with electrodesiccation of raised growths.
- Concern
- Heavy sun damage, brown spots and precancerous spots across the cheek and temple
- Photographed
- Eight weeks after treatment
- What changed
- The sun damage and spots are cleared.
Photographs are of an actual patient, published with consent. Frames are aligned for comparison only. Individual results vary. More results
Your visit
What the appointment is like.
Examine
Dr. Nawas examines each spot to confirm it is harmless and marks the ones to treat.
Numb
Each spot is numbed with a drop of local anesthetic, so the treatment itself is comfortable.
Treat
A fine needle tip delivers a tiny current that dries and seals the growth, a few seconds per spot.
Heal
Small crusts form and separate on their own over one to two weeks.
Before and after your appointment
Simple preparation, simple recovery.
Before
- No special preparation is needed.
- Tell Dr. Nawas about a pacemaker or other implanted device, blood thinners, and any allergy to lidocaine.
Afterward
- Keep the treated spots clean, with a thin layer of petroleum jelly until the crusts have gone.
- Let the crusts separate on their own; picking them is the one thing to avoid.
- Any pinkness fades over the following weeks; sunscreen on the treated areas helps.
Pricing
Transparent pricing.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| ElectrodesiccationSkin tags, cherry spots and other small harmless growths | Up to $1,000 |
Estimates for planning. Dr. Nawas confirms your exact plan and price at the consultation, and you pay only for what is used. Cosmetic care is not billed to insurance. How insurance, superbills and financing work here.
Good to know
Questions patients ask.
Will it leave a mark?
The spot heals flat and smooth. Any pinkness fades over the following weeks.
Why pair it with Fraxel FTX?
Electrodesiccation removes the raised growths one by one. Fraxel FTX then evens out the tone and texture of the skin around them, so together they give the best cosmetic result.
Is it covered by insurance?
Removing harmless growths for their appearance is cosmetic, so it is self-pay. A spot that is bleeding, painful or changing should be checked first: book a skin check instead.
Related procedures
Often planned together.
Next step
Ready when you are.
Small harmless growths removed in seconds, with skin that heals flat.
New to ZN Dermatology? Book a consultation. If you would like treatment the same day, add a note when you book and we will set aside the time.