Skin Surgery & CO2 Laser Procedures

DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY — CLINICAL APPROACH

Dermatologic surgery at International Vein & Skin Institute is guided by careful diagnosis, procedural judgment, and current medical standards, rather than cosmetic trends or volume-based care.

Treatment decisions are based on:

Clinical examination and dermoscopic findings
Pathology results, when biopsy is performed
Established medical literature and procedural guidelines
Individual patient anatomy, skin type, and lesion characteristics

Surgical techniques — including biopsy, excision, and CO₂ laser–based procedures — are selected to balance diagnostic accuracy, procedural precision, appropriate tissue removal, healing, and patient safety.

All procedures are personally performed by Dr. Jozef Tryzno, MD, RVT, DABVLM, with more than 25 years of experience in procedural dermatology and laser-based skin surgery.

📞 Call (847) 518-9999 to schedule a skin surgery evaluation.

SKIN SURGERY SERVICES OFFERED

Skin surgery at IVSI includes diagnostic, medically necessary, and cosmetic procedures, with the treatment method selected according to the diagnosis, lesion characteristics, anatomic location, and need for histopathologic evaluation.

Procedures include:

Aspiration, incision, and drainage of inflamed or infected lesions, including abscesses, furuncles, and cysts
Shave or punch biopsy of suspicious or diagnostically uncertain lesions
Nail procedures, including nail avulsion, treatment of selected ingrown nails, and nail or nail-unit biopsy
Surgical excision of:
- Melanocytic nevi (moles)
- Epidermal and pilar cysts
- Selected lipomas
- Other benign or malignant lesions, as appropriate
Surgical excision of selected skin cancers, including:
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
CO₂ laser-assisted shave removal of selected raised lesions and skin growths
CO₂ laser ablation / evaporation of selected benign and premalignant lesions
CO₂ laser-assisted micro-incision, drainage, extraction, and curettage of selected cystic or obstructed lesions
Non-ablative laser treatment of selected vascular lesions
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) for actinic keratoses and acne

Treatment selection is based on the clinical diagnosis and procedural objective. Lesions requiring histopathologic evaluation are managed differently from established benign lesions appropriate for ablative or cosmetic removal.

ROLE OF THE CO₂ LASER IN SKIN SURGERY

At IVSI, the surgical CO₂ laser is used in place of a scalpel for dermatologic incisions and excisions. The laser cuts tissue while simultaneously providing coagulation and hemostasis, reducing procedural bleeding and maintaining a clear surgical field.

Depending on the procedure, the CO₂ laser is used to:

Perform surgical incision and excision of skin lesions
Assist with shave removal of selected raised lesions
Ablate or evaporate tissue in a controlled manner
Provide coagulation and hemostasis during treatment
Allow precise tissue removal in facial and other anatomically sensitive areas

The CO₂ laser can therefore function as a cutting, ablative, and coagulating surgical tool. The technique used is determined by the diagnosis, lesion depth and location, need for histopathologic examination, and the objective of the procedure.

When tissue must be preserved for pathology, the lesion is removed using an appropriate biopsy or excisional technique. For established benign lesions, controlled CO₂ laser ablation or laser-assisted shave removal may be used when appropriate.

CLINICAL DECISION-MAKING AND PROCEDURAL SELECTION

Patients seek removal of skin lesions and growths for many reasons, including diagnostic concerns, physical symptoms, recurrent irritation, and cosmetic improvement.

The first step is identifying the lesion and selecting the treatment method that best addresses the patient’s concern while preserving diagnostic accuracy and supporting appropriate healing.

Procedural planning considers:

The type, size, depth, and location of the lesion
Whether tissue should be preserved for pathology
Whether biopsy, complete excision, shave removal, or tissue ablation is appropriate
Cosmetic and functional considerations
Healing characteristics and scar risk

Lesions requiring diagnostic confirmation are managed with biopsy or excision when appropriate. Established benign growths may be removed for cosmetic improvement using surgical excision, shave removal, or controlled CO₂ laser ablation based on their characteristics and location.

The treatment method is selected according to the diagnosis, procedural objective, anatomy, and patient’s reason for seeking treatment.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT SELECTION

Ablative or tissue-destructive techniques are performed only after malignancy has been excluded or appropriate diagnostic requirements have been met.

Lesions with atypical features, uncertain clinical behavior, or concern for malignancy undergo shave, punch, or excisional biopsy, as appropriate. Tissue obtained during the procedure is submitted for histopathologic examination to establish or confirm the diagnosis and determine whether additional treatment is necessary.

For skin growths identified as benign, CO₂ laser ablation, shave removal, surgical excision, or other treatment techniques can be selected according to the lesion, anatomic location, and cosmetic or functional treatment goals.

In selected cases, diagnostic and treatment techniques may be combined during the same procedure. For example, tissue may be obtained for histopathologic examination while the remaining portion of an established or clinically appropriate lesion is treated using another technique.

Patients also frequently request removal of specific benign lesions for cosmetic improvement. These requests are considered individually, with treatment selected according to the diagnosis, lesion characteristics, location, expected healing, and the patient’s cosmetic goals.

FUNCTIONAL AND ANATOMIC CONSIDERATIONS

The location of a skin lesion can be as important as its size or diagnosis when selecting a treatment method. Special attention is given to lesions in cosmetically and functionally sensitive areas, including the face, eyelids, nose, ears, lips, scalp, and hands.

Procedural planning considers:

Skin thickness and underlying anatomy
Lesion size, depth, and configuration
Natural skin lines and surrounding tissue
Movement and tension in the treatment area
Healing characteristics and scar risk
Preservation of function
Cosmetic appearance after healing

Treatment technique is adapted to the anatomy of the area. Surgical excision, CO₂ laser-assisted shave removal, or controlled laser ablation may offer different advantages depending on the lesion and its location.

Particular care is taken in areas where precision, preservation of surrounding tissue, control of bleeding, and the eventual appearance of the treated area are especially important.

CONTINUITY OF CARE AND FOLLOW-UP

Dermatologic surgery does not end with lesion removal.

Post-procedure care, pathology review when tissue is submitted, and follow-up recommendations are integral parts of treatment. Pathology results are reviewed and discussed with the patient, including whether additional treatment, further excision, or surveillance is recommended.

Follow-up planning is individualized based on the diagnosis, procedure performed, pathology findings when applicable, and healing response.

TIMING, INSURANCE & CARE PLANNING

Urgent or inflamed conditions may be treated during the initial visit when appropriate
Insurance coverage is reviewed prior to procedures when applicable
Medically necessary procedures are planned according to clinical findings and insurance requirements
Cosmetic removal of benign skin lesions is available on a self-pay basis
For self-pay or out-of-network care, clear cost estimates are provided before treatment

Treatment timing is based on the diagnosis, type of procedure, anatomic location, and extent of treatment planned.

SKIN SURGERY EVALUATION

A skin surgery evaluation helps determine the appropriate approach based on the diagnosis, lesion characteristics, location, and reason for treatment.

📞 Call (847) 518-9999 to schedule a skin surgery evaluation.

Medical Disclaimer
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace individualized medical evaluation. Treatment recommendations depend on clinical findings, diagnostic requirements, and patient-specific factors. Outcomes may vary, and no specific medical or cosmetic result can be guaranteed.

Learn More About Skin Surgery