Shave biopsy of skin lesions

Category: Minor Procedures, Injections & Pain Relief · All minor procedures, injections & pain relief

What it is

A shave biopsy removes a raised skin lesion by shaving it off flush with the skin surface using a scalpel blade, under local anaesthetic, and sends the specimen for laboratory examination. No stitches are needed.

Why it is done

It is used for raised lesions that are thought benign — seborrheic keratoses, skin tags, dermatofibromas and some moles where excision is not indicated — mainly for diagnosis or removal of a bothersome lesion.

How to prepare

Assessment confirms the lesion suits a shave (pigmented or suspicious lesions are usually excised fully instead, to give the laboratory the whole lesion). Tell the clinician about blood thinners and allergies. No fasting is needed.

What happens during the procedure

After numbing, the blade shaves the lesion off in one pass, bleeding is stopped with a caustic or cautery, and a dressing is applied. It takes a few minutes.

Afterwards — recovery & results

Keep the dressing on for a day or two, then care for the shallow wound as advised; it heals over one to two weeks, leaving a flat, often pale mark. Results take two to four weeks where tissue was sent.

Risks & considerations

Risks include bleeding, infection, recurrence (deeper parts can regrow), and a small scar or pale patch. Shave biopsies of melanocytic lesions are controversial when full depth assessment is needed — your clinician chooses the method accordingly.

Frequently asked questions

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