Some procedures are performed during routine office visits if needed. These include cryotherapy, biopsies, and electrodessication and curettage.
Cryotherapy, also known as "freezing", is performed with liquid nitrogen. Cryotherapy destroys cells in the top layer of skin. It can be used to treat precancerous lesions (actinic keratoses), and some benign skin growths such as seborrheic keratoses,warts, and skin tags.
Shave and punch biopsies are performed to aid in the diagnosis of skin growths, rashes, and other conditions. A shave biopsy samples the upper layers of skin. A punch biopsy is perforemd if a deeper sample is needed.
Electrodessication and curettage describes a procedure in which a skin lesion is scraped off with a sharp tool (a curette) and then heat is applied to the skin. This procedure is performed to treat some types of thin skin cancers and various benign growths.