Electrodessication of Benign Lesions:
Benign lesions on the neck and face that can be treated using electrodessication include DPN’s (dermatosis papulosa nigra),seborrheic keratoses, and other similar lesions.
How Electrodessication Works
Numbing cream:
Apply the prescribed numbing cream to the area an hour prior to treatment. The numbing cream should only be applied to a small area (not much bigger than the size of your palm)
For example – you can apply it to most of your face, OR about half of your neck, OR the V-neck area of your chest (but NOT multiple areas at once)
The Procedure:
The size of the area for safely applying numbing cream (above) is also the size of the area that can be treated during one “treatment session” THE COST – for each treatment session is $250
Multiple treatment sessions should be at least a week apart the provider (usually Pamela Miller, PA-C) will treat each spot in that area using a device called an “electrodessicator” like a laser (but electric instead of light energy), it gently heats each lesion leaving a small crust – the crusts fall off in about a week (so plan accordingly)
After Care
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- Wash area normally (but gently) with soap and water each day while bathing
- Avoid the sun while healing (to prevent hyperpigmentation)
- Apply Aquaphor ointment (or something similar) once a day
