Removing a Small Tissue of Skin for Testing (Skin Biopsy): What to Expect

A skin biopsy is removing a small tissue of your skin so that it can be tested in the lab. This is usually done to diagnose skin conditions or abnormal changes on your skin (lesion).

You may need skin biopsy if you have a skin disease or skin lesion.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you take. These include vitamins, herbs, eye drops, and creams.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthesia.
• Any bleeding problems you have.
• Any surgeries you've had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you're pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

• Bleeding.
• Infection.
• Scarring.
• Allergies to ointments, anesthesia, or materials used in surgery.

What happens before?

Medicines

• Ask about changing or stopping:
  • Any medicines you take.
  • Any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you take.
• Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen unless you're told to.

Surgery safety

• Need to wash your skin with a soap that kills germs.
• Get antibiotics.
• Have your surgery site marked.
• Have hair removed at the surgery site.

General instructions

• Do not smoke, vape, or use nicotine or tobacco for at least 4 weeks before the surgery.
• Eat and drink only as told.
• Ask your health care provider if you'll need someone to take you home from the hospital or clinic.

What happens during a skin biopsy?

• You'll be given anesthesia to numb the area.
• Your provider will take a sample using one of these steps. This depends on the type of skin problem that you have.
  • Shave biopsy. Layers of skin lesion will be shaved away with a sharp blade. After shaving, a gel or ointment may be used to stop bleeding.
  • Punch biopsy. All or part of the lesion will be removed using a surgical tool. This leaves a small hole. The hole may be covered with a gel or ointment.
  • Excisional or incisional biopsy. All or part of the lesion will be removed using a surgical blade.
• Your skin biopsy site may be closed with stitches.
• A bandage may be put over the wound.

These steps may vary. Ask what you can expect.

What happens after?

• A sample will be sent to a lab for testing.
• Your skin biopsy site will be watched to make sure that bleeding stops.
• Talk with your provider about your test results or treatment options. Ask if you need to have more tests.