Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Dr Trussler & Dr. Robison | Austin Hand Surgery Experts | Reconstructive Surgery | Austin, TX

Benign Skin Lesions

Benign skin lesions are skin growths which, although sometimes irritating or unsightly, are not usually dangerous. Many benign lesions do not require treatment except for cosmetic reasons.

Some, however, may itch, burn, sting, or be otherwise uncomfortable if left untreated and some may lead to possibly malignant changes in the skin.

Frequently, patients are familiar with a particular skin lesion and are therefore comfortable either ignoring it or treating it with home or over-the-counter remedies.

Nonetheless, in any case where an individual is even slightly doubtful about the nature of a skin lesion, a dermatologist should be consulted since an apparently benign blemish may be a skin cancer and potentially deadly.

There are a great many varieties of benign skin lesions, including: freckles and age spots, moles, skin tags, cherry angiomas, seborrheic keratoses, cold sores, cysts, lipomas, milia, pyogeic granulomas and or dermatofibromas.

When a patient desires to have a benign skin lesion removed because it is unsightly or uncomfortable, there are several treatments available, including:

  • Cryosurgery, freezing with liquid nitrogen
  • Curettage, scraping of the skin's surface
  • Electrocautery, burning off with electric current
  • Laser ablation, vaporizing with laser energy
  • Surgical excision

Each variety of benign skin lesion has distinctive characteristics. Some types tend to appear on certain body parts or to present in a particular pattern on the skin. Even so, in many instances benign skin lesions are difficult to distinguish from one another or from some more serious disorder. Therefore, it is always wise to consult with a dermatologist who is a highly trained observer. If the doctor has any question, a definitive skin biopsy can be performed.


Cosmetic Hand Surgery

As we age, the skin on our hands can change just as much as the skin on our face, resulting in thinner, sagging skin and an increased visibility of the tendons and veins, as well as age spots. Fortunately, for patients unhappy with the appearance of their hands, there are several minimally invasive cosmetic procedures available that can correct the signs of aging and restore smooth, youthful skin.
Hand rejuvenation is a restorative treatment that combines skin fillers such as Sculptra® and Radiesse® with laser treatments such as Fraxel® to replace lost volume and improve the overall appearance of the hand. Surgical techniques may also be used to remove cysts or other harmless but unattractive lesions that may develop on the hands. Your doctor will develop a customized treatment plan for each patient based on their aesthetic goals.

Sclerotherapy Treatment for Hand Veins

Sclerotherapy has been used to treat varicose veins in the legs for quite some time. It is also one of the most effective treatments for bulging veins in the hands. This medical procedure involves the injection of a sclerosant solution into the prominent veins, which causes their eventual collapse. The treated veins are ultimately absorbed into the body and the blood is redirected naturally to flow through other, healthier veins.

Prominent veins can make the hands look substantially older. Over the years, the skin loses some of its elasticity and volume. This can result in the appearance of lumpy, unattractive veins at the skin's surface. Areas like the hands which receive a great deal of sun exposure, tend to show these signs of damage more quickly than other parts of the body.

These bulging veins that can be seen near the surface of the skin are not necessary to the circulatory system. Veins deeper within the hand are sufficient to transport blood to and from the area. Therefore, if surface hand veins are cosmetically bothersome, it is quite safe to treat and remove them.

Schlerotherapy treatment for hand veins is performed in the doctor's office and typically takes only about 30 minutes. Some patients require only a single session of sclerotherapy to completely the issue, while others may require multiple sessions. Anesthesia is not necessary and most patients report experiencing little to no pain, other than a mild burning sensation. After the skin is cleaned with an antiseptic solution, the sclerosant is injected into the affected veins with a very fine needle. The number of injections per session varies based on the number and length of the damaged veins. After the sclerotherapy procedure, cotton balls and compression tape are applied to the injection site.

After sclerotherapy treatment for hand veins, most patients can return to work and other normal activities the same day. Compression gloves and support bandages may need to be worn for several days after the procedure. Some patients may experience mild bruising and discoloration following sclerotherapy, but these side effects usually subside within a few days. The long-lasting results of sclerotherapy begin to show up immediately, and are usually fully visible after 3 to 6 weeks.



Call 512.450.1077 to speak with Dr. Robison and Dr. Trussler if you have any questions or comments or to learn more about how we can help you.

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