- Area of the skin to be biopsied is cleaned and marked.
- Local anesthetic medication is injected to numb the biopsy site.
- Shave biopsy: a double-edged razor or a scalpel is used to cut the tissue
- Punch Biopsy: A hollow, circular scalpel is used to cut into a lesion on the skin.
- The instrument is turned clockwise and counter clockwise to cut down about 4 millimetres (mm) to the layer of fatty tissue below the dermis.
- Keep the bandage over the biopsy site until the next day.
- Apply and take medications as instructed by physician
- All biopsies cause a small scar. Scars fade gradually. The scar's permanent color will be evident one or two years after the biopsy.
- Cover the site with an adhesive bandage for the first two or three days after the procedure.
- Healing of the wound can take several weeks, but is usually complete within two months.
- Skin biopsy sample is sent to a laboratory for testing.
- Results may take several days or longer, depending on the type of biopsy and the lab's procedures.
