A skin biopsy is a short procedure where a sample of skin is removed and sent to the Pathology laboratory to be analysed under the microscope. A skin biopsy will help to diagnose your skin condition and plan treatment.
Punch biopsy
A small round bladed instrument is used to remove a round core of tissue ranging from 3 to 8 millimetres in diameter. 1 to 2 stitches may be used however, sometimes stitches are not used. You may have a small scar which appears as a 3 to 8 millimetre fine line. Sometimes this heals as a circular indentation or puckering.
Incisional biopsy
A small eye-shaped piece of skin is removed. Stitches are used to close the area and you will have a small scar. The typical scar is a straight line that is around 1 to 5 millimetres depending on the size of the biopsy that is needed.
Shave biopsy
During the biopsy, the surface of a lesion is shaved off. The roots of the lesion are not removed. The skin will heal from underneath always. Stitches are not used in this procedure. You will have a pale circular scar which is usually flat and the same outline as the base of the lesion that has been removed.
