Skin biopsy (Punch / Excisional / Incisional)

A rash that keeps returning despite every cream. A mole that looks a little different than it did last year. A small sore that simply refuses to heal. When your skin raises questions like these, guesswork is not good enough. A skin biopsy gives your doctor the one thing no examination alone can: a definite answer, straight from the tissue itself.

At TLC Skyn, Kollam, biopsies are performed by our consultant dermatologist with our in-house plastic surgeon available for delicate areas, so you get an accurate diagnosis and neatly closed skin in the same sitting.

What is a skin biopsy

A skin biopsy is a short procedure in which a small piece of skin is removed under local anaesthesia and sent to a pathology laboratory. A specialist then examines the tissue under a microscope to identify exactly what is going on, whether it is an inflammatory condition, an infection, or a growth that needs closer attention. Most biopsies at our clinic take 15 to 30 minutes, and you walk out with a small dressing and clear aftercare instructions.

Punch, excisional and incisional: the three types we perform

The right technique depends on the size, depth and location of the lesion, and on what your doctor needs the laboratory to see.

Punch biopsy. A small circular instrument, usually 2 mm to 6 mm wide, removes a neat cylinder of skin including its deeper layers. It is the workhorse of dermatology, well suited to rashes and small lesions, and often needs just one or two fine sutures.

Excisional biopsy. Here the entire lesion is removed along with a thin margin of surrounding skin. This is usually the preferred approach for suspicious moles, because it works as diagnosis and treatment in a single step. If you have a mole that worries you, our mole excision service works hand in hand with this technique.

Incisional biopsy. When a lesion is too large to remove completely in one sitting, a representative portion is taken instead. Confirming the diagnosis first means any larger procedure that follows is planned properly rather than rushed.

When your doctor may recommend a biopsy

Not every skin complaint needs one. Your dermatologist may suggest a biopsy when the diagnosis is unclear or when confirmation genuinely matters:

• A rash that has not responded to treatment, where conditions like psoriasis and eczema can look confusingly alike
• A stubborn patch that could be a deep fungal infection rather than a surface one
• A mole or growth that has changed in size, shape or colour
• A sore or ulcer that has not healed within a few weeks
• Growths such as warts or skin tags with an unusual appearance, confirmed before removal

What happens on the day

Your visit begins with a consultation and dermoscopic examination. If a biopsy is advised, the area is cleaned and numbed with a local anaesthetic injection; that brief sting is usually the only discomfort you feel. The sample is taken, the site is closed with fine sutures or left to heal naturally depending on the technique, and a dressing goes on. You can head home straight away and carry on with your day, keeping the site dry and skipping heavy exercise for the first day or two. Laboratory reports typically arrive within 5 to 10 working days, and your doctor sits with you to explain the findings and what comes next.

Healing, scarring and honest expectations

Any procedure that cuts skin leaves a mark, and we will not pretend otherwise. What careful technique can do is keep that mark small, flat and faint. Because TLC Skyn combines dermatology and plastic surgery under one roof, wound closure follows the same fine-suture discipline we use in sebaceous cyst excision and lipoma excision. Sutures, where used, come out in 7 to 14 days, and we guide you on sun protection and scar care afterwards.

Why choose TLC Skyn for skin biopsy in Kollam

Dr. Swathy Krishna, our consultant dermatologist, decides when a biopsy is genuinely needed and selects the site and technique that give the laboratory the best possible sample. Dr. Anoop G Mohan, plastic surgeon, is available for lesions in cosmetically sensitive areas such as the face and neck. Very few clinics in Kollam offer this combination in one visit. You can read more about our team on the about page.

Skin biopsy cost in Kollam

The cost depends on the type of biopsy, the number of sites and the laboratory charges for pathology. Rather than publish a figure that may not apply to you, we give you an exact quote at your consultation, before anything is done. No surprises.

Book your consultation

If your skin has been asking a question, let us find the answer. Visit TLC Skyn at 127 JNRA, Olai, near Nani Hospital, Kollam, call +91 9072 80 66 55, or book online through our contact page.