Moles can be easily removed. Using local anesthetic, the mole is removed either with a shave technique (which requires no stitches) or a deeper excision requiring stitches.  If a mole appears to be completely harmless, sometimes it can just be burned off.  Scars are expected  but are made as minimal as possible. Most moles do not need to be removed, but if they are changing, atypical in appearance, irritated by clothing, or aesthetically undesirable, they can removed. Pathology is sometimes required and if there is any concern about the mole after it is analyzed, more surgery may be needed.

Skin tags are typically skin-colored or brown and typically appear as a small hanging growth on the eyelids, neck, underarms, or groin.  Sometimes they can get caught on jewelry or clothing but they are harmless.  If desired, these can be removed with liquid nitrogen, cutting, or burning (after local anesthesia).

A cyst is a bump under the skin filled with skin cells.  They are harmless but can be uncomfortable and unsightly.  When the contents of cysts drain they can have an unpleasant odor.  Patients with large or painful cysts may require drainage.  If cyst removal is desired local anesthesia is used to numb the area then the cyst and surrounding tissue is removed. Sutures are then placed in the area to speed the healing process.

A lipoma is a harmless fatty tumor that can be found anywhere on the skin.  Sometimes they can be painful.  Lipomas can be removed through surgical excision under a local anesthetic. A small incision is made in the skin covering the lipoma. The lipoma is then extracted. The wound is then closed with stitches.

A keloid is an overgrowth of scar tissue that forms after a skin injury such as a surgical incision, wound, or even a pimple.  They are particularly common on the earlobes and upper trunk.   A keloid may be red, pink, or flesh-colored.  Keloids may be painful or itchy.  Injecting cortisone can help shrink keloids and help with the symptoms.  If that does not help, the keloid can be excised and then the patient comes back monthly for several months and cortisone is injected into the site to prevent recurrence of the keloid.

An abscess is a collection of puss under the skin.  The overlying area is red and inflamed.  These are typically painful.  While warm compresses and antibiotics may take care of some abscesses, draining the abscess can help the area heal more quickly and decrease the discomfort rapidly.  Local anesthetic is used to numb the area and then an incision is made and the contents are drained.