BENIGN SKIN LESION REMOVAL

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What Is Benign Skin Lesion?

A benign skin lesion refers to an abnormal growth or change in the skin that is non-cancerous and typically harmless. These lesions can take various forms, and they are generally not considered a threat to one's health. However, even though they are benign, some lesions may be cosmetically bothersome or cause discomfort, leading individuals to seek medical attention for removal or management.

It's important to note that even though most benign skin lesions are harmless, any new or changing growth on the skin should be examined by a healthcare professional. They can help determine the nature of the lesion and whether further evaluation or removal is necessary. Regular skin checks and prompt evaluation of any concerning changes are essential for maintaining skin health.

Benign Skin Lesion Removal

Some patients visit Déjà Vu to have unwanted moles, cysts, warts, growths, bumps, or other skin lesions removed. Dèjá Vu is a full-service medical clinic that can evaluate and treat most skin lesions in the office. Dr. Manley and our clinical staff have many years of experience doing minor skin procedures. Complex lesions are referred to a plastic surgeon. Many of these treatments are covered by medical insurance. See the bottom of this page for insurance information.


There are many types of skin lesions that we routinely remove at Déjà Vu.

Some of the more common include:

  • Moles

    Moles, also called nevi, begin as growths of melanocytes, the cells that give the skin its color. Virtually all of us have at least a few moles. Sometimes, they are present at birth but most develop during childhood. The size and color of moles may change during puberty or pregnancy. Sun exposure can increase the number of moles a patient may have. Most moles are benign and can easily be removed in the office. Before removal, Dr. Manley examines all lesions for signs of cancer. Some moles are raised above the skin surface and some are flat.



  • Raised Moles

    If a benign mole is elevated above skin level, it can often be removed by shaving it off flush with the skin after applying a local anesthetic. This procedure is quick, safe, easy, and usually results in a smooth area with little, if any, evidence the lesion was ever there. No sutures (stitches) are necessary. We routinely remove raised lesions on all areas of the body including on the face, nose, and eyelids.

  • Flat Moles

    Flat moles usually require an excision through the skin and closure with sutures. We can do these procedures anywhere on the body including the face. If a lesion is particularly complicated, we will not hesitate to refer a patient to a plastic surgeon for removal. We remove small facial lesions under magnification and close the opening with very tiny sutures to give the best results.

  • Seborrheic Keratoses

    Seborrheic keratoses are one of the most common skin lesions older patients get. They usually start to appear after the age of 30 and get more and more common with age. They are usually brown or black and raised above the skin in a “stuck on” appearance. They can be itchy and bleed. Some patients may have hundreds of these lesions. Seborrheic keratoses are benign. Insurance will cover removal if they are itching, bleeding or causing some other type of problem. *

  • Skin Tags

    These are very common lesions that tend to occur in areas where the skin rubs together such as under the arms, between the legs and on the eyelids. We remove skin tags from any location with excellent results. We anesthetize each one before removal to minimize pain. Skin tag removal is usually not covered by insurance.


    BBL™ treatment cannot be done on tanned skin or on patients with dark skin. The treatments are usually performed without the need for anesthetics by using a cool conductive gel. A series of pulses are used to treat all of the affected areas. Patients usually need 4-6 treatments at about 2 week intervals for optimal results. BBL™ treatments are not covered by insurance.


    We often use the ForeverClear BBL™ protocol as developed by Dr. Patrick Bitter, Jr. His program uses a three-step process not available on other IPL devices. It is very effective in eliminating acne-causing bacteria, target redness and initiate the body’s natural healing process. 

  • Warts

    We treat warts in a variety of ways. We usually try a simple injection of Candida yeast immediately adjacent to the wart to trick the body’s immune system into clearly the wart itself. This is sometimes called “the wart shot.” It works in about 60% of patients and makes the wart go away without any cutting, burning or freezing. If the Candida fails after two attempts,  we will use other methods to rid our patient of their warts. We are careful to try to avoid techniques that could cause loss of pigmentation or scarring. Wart treatment is usually covered by insurance. Medicare has some special rules for determining when wart removal is covered. *

  • Milia

    Milia are tiny white or yellow cysts usually on the face. They are especially common around the eyes. Milia are sometimes confused with acne “white heads” but they cannot be easily “popped” like an acne lesion. They are benign and easy to remove in the office. Insurance will usually not cover milia removal.


    The same Fractora system is very effective in clearing acne scars. 

  • Cysts

    Epidermoid or sebaceous cysts are a common problem, usually occurring on the scalp or trunk. They are basically plugged up skin glands that continue to produce secretions even though the gland is clogged. This creates a cyst that continually gets larger and larger. It may sometimes break open and exude a thick white material. It can also become infected. Cysts are easy to remove in the office by excision. Cyst removal is usually covered by insurance. Medicare has some special rules for determining when cyst removal is covered. *

  • InGrown Toe Nails

    Ingrown toenails are a common problem that can be treated easily in the office. Insurance always covers this treatment.

  • Cherry Hemangiomas

    Cherry hemangiomas are very common. They are bright red 1-6 mm lesions appearing on the trunk and arms in adulthood. They are benign but can become unsightly. These lesions can usually be treated with a laser in the office. Laser treatments are usually not covered by insurance. In some cases we may excise the lesion and it can sometimes be covered by insurance. *

  • Other benign lesions that we treat:

    Venereal warts, plantar warts, molluscum contagiosum, and flat warts.

*Insurance information for removal of benign skin lesions

Insurance coverage for removal of benign lesions depends on the insurance policy, however, some general observations can be made. Commercial plans (i.e., not Medicare or Medicaid) generally always pay for certain lesions to be removed such as all types of warts, cysts, ingrown toenails, and any moles or lesions that are changing in size, color, texture or shape.


Medicare has specific policy guidelines that are published and summarized below.

Medicare covers the removal of all of benign lesions but only if one of the following additional criteria apply:

The lesion has one or more of the following characteristics: bleeding, itching, pain; change in physical appearance (reddening or pigmentary change), recent enlargement, increase in number; or


  1. The lesion has physical evidence of inflammation, e.g., purulence (infection), edema, erythema (redness); or
  2. The lesion obstructs an orifice; or
  3. The lesion clinically restricts vision; or
  4. There is clinical uncertainty as to the likely diagnosis, particularly where a malignancy is a realistic consideration consideration based on the lesion appearance; or
  5. A prior biopsy suggests or is indicative of lesion malignancy; or
  6. The lesion is in an anatomical region subject to recurrent trauma, and there is documentation of such trauma.
  7. Wart removals will be covered under the guidelines listed above. In addition, wart destruction will be covered when any one of the following clinical circumstances is present:
  8. Certain warts around the eyes.
  9. Warts showing evidence of spread from one body area to another, particularly in immunosuppressed patients.
  10. Venereal (genital) warts or molluscum contagiosum.


An office visit to evaluate skin lesions is always covered by insurance, whether the lesion is determined to be benign or not.