Not every concern requires an operating room. Moles, skin tags, lipomas, cherry angiomas, and seborrheic keratoses are common skin and soft-tissue lesions that may be removed because of irritation, discomfort, appearance, or simply because they bother you.
At Cabo Plastic Surgery, Dr. Roberto López Konschot evaluates each lesion individually and selects the appropriate treatment based on its type, size, depth, and location. Depending on the lesion, treatment may involve excision, shave or snip removal, cautery, cryotherapy, or IPL, with many procedures performed in the office under local anesthesia.
An important part of that evaluation is determining whether a lesion is appropriate for straightforward removal. If its appearance, history, or pattern of change raises concern, further evaluation or biopsy may be recommended instead of cosmetic removal.
The goal is straightforward: remove or treat the concern appropriately while achieving the best cosmetic result possible and minimizing visible scarring whenever possible.
Because each type of lesion is different, treatment begins by identifying exactly what is being addressed and selecting the appropriate technique.
| Procedure | Moles, Skin Tags, Lipomas, Cherry Angiomas & Seborrheic Keratoses |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Evaluate and treat appropriate skin and soft-tissue lesions causing cosmetic concerns, irritation, or discomfort. |
| Treatment Methods | Excision, shave or snip removal, cautery, cryotherapy, or IPL, depending on the lesion. |
| Anesthesia | Local anesthesia when surgical removal is required; some non-surgical treatments may not require it. |
| Treatment Time | Many individual lesions can be treated within minutes; multiple or larger lesions require additional time. |
| Setting | In-office treatment. |
| Downtime | Usually minimal and varies according to the lesion and treatment method. |
| Sutures | Required for lipomas and some deeper excisions; generally not needed for IPL, cryotherapy, cautery, or simple superficial treatments. |
| Return to Activities | Most patients can resume normal daily activities promptly, with temporary restrictions depending on the treated area. |
| Scarring | Depends on the lesion, location, and technique; treatment is planned to minimize visible scarring whenever possible. |
| Multiple Lesions | Several lesions can often be treated during the same appointment. |
| Evaluation | $130 USD for the in-office evaluation; treatment pricing is confirmed at that visit. |
Treatment varies considerably depending on the type of lesion, so the first step is understanding what each condition is and how it can be treated.
Treatment is selected according to the type, size, depth, and location of each lesion.
Moles are common pigmented skin growths and most are benign. Removal may be considered for cosmetic reasons or when a mole is repeatedly irritated by clothing, jewelry, shaving, or friction.
TreatmentDepending on its characteristics and location, removal may involve shave excision, punch excision, or surgical excision.
Skin tags are small, soft growths commonly found on the neck, underarms, eyelids, and skin folds. They are benign but may become irritated or simply be cosmetically unwanted.
TreatmentTypically straightforward, and may involve snip removal or cautery, depending on size and location.
Lipomas are benign, slow-growing collections of fatty tissue beneath the skin. They are usually painless but may become noticeable, uncomfortable, or bothersome because of their size or location.
TreatmentUnlike superficial skin lesions, lipomas require surgical excision through an incision, followed by closure with sutures.
Cherry angiomas are small red or purple vascular growths that become increasingly common with age. They are benign and often treated for cosmetic reasons.
TreatmentSelected cherry angiomas may be treated with Stellar M22 IPL, which targets the small blood vessels with light energy. More raised lesions may be better suited to cautery.
Seborrheic keratoses are common benign growths with a characteristic rough, waxy, or “stuck-on” appearance. They may range from light tan to dark brown and are often removed because of irritation or cosmetic concerns.
TreatmentDepending on their thickness, size, and location, treatment may include shave removal, cryotherapy, or cautery.
Once the lesion has been evaluated, the treatment method is selected according to its characteristics and the cosmetic requirements of the area being treated.
Treatment begins with an in-person evaluation. Dr. Roberto López Konschot examines the lesion and determines whether it is appropriate for straightforward removal or whether further evaluation or biopsy should be considered first. The in-office evaluation is $130 USD.
There is no single technique appropriate for every lesion. Depending on its characteristics, treatment may include:
Procedures requiring excision are generally performed in the office under local anesthesia, allowing you to remain awake and comfortable. Many individual lesions take only a few minutes to treat, although larger lesions or treatment of multiple areas may require additional time.
When an incision is required — such as for a lipoma or deeper mole — the area is carefully closed with sutures. Superficial treatments such as IPL, cautery, or cryotherapy generally do not require sutures.
For surgically removed lesions, tissue may be submitted for pathological examination when clinically indicated. Pathology fees are not included in the procedure price. If a lesion has features that raise concern before treatment, biopsy or appropriate diagnostic evaluation takes priority over cosmetic removal.
Most minor procedures involve relatively little downtime, although healing varies according to the treatment method and location.
Recovery is generally straightforward, but the healing process depends on the type of lesion, treatment method, and location.
| Treatment | Typical Recovery |
|---|---|
| IPL, cautery or cryotherapy | Several days to approximately 2 weeks; usually no sutures. |
| Shave or punch removal | Usually heals over approximately 1–2 weeks. |
| Surgical excision | Sutures may remain for approximately 7–14 days depending on location; complete healing takes longer. |
Depending on your procedure, you may be instructed to:
Most patients can continue normal daily activities with relatively little interruption, although exercise or activities that place tension or friction on a surgical site may need to be temporarily modified.
Any procedure that removes or disrupts skin can leave a scar. Its visibility depends on the lesion, treatment technique, location, individual healing, and aftercare.
When surgical removal is required, Dr. López Konschot plans the incision and closure with attention to the cosmetic result and minimizing visible scarring whenever possible.
For these procedures, the quality of the result depends not only on removing the lesion, but also on choosing the appropriate technique and managing the treated area carefully.
Minor procedures still require careful judgment. The goal is not simply to remove a lesion, but to identify what it is, select the appropriate treatment, and consider the cosmetic result.
The following questions address common concerns about lesion removal, scarring, treatment options, and when additional evaluation may be necessary.
Dr. López Konschot evaluates each lesion before treatment. Changes in size, shape, color, borders, symptoms, or growth pattern may indicate that further evaluation or biopsy should come before cosmetic removal.
Not necessarily. Pathological examination may be recommended depending on the lesion and clinical findings. When pathology is recommended, the pathology fee is separate from the procedure price.
Yes. Benign moles may be removed because of appearance or because they repeatedly catch on clothing, jewelry, or during shaving. The appropriate removal technique depends on the mole’s size, depth, and location.
Any procedure that breaks the skin can leave a mark or scar. Its appearance depends on the removal technique, location, lesion size, and individual healing. When surgical removal is appropriate, technique and closure are planned with attention to minimizing visible scarring.
Yes. A lipoma lies beneath the skin, so complete removal requires an incision to access and remove it, followed by closure with sutures.
Cautery uses controlled heat, cryotherapy uses controlled freezing, and IPL uses targeted light energy. The appropriate treatment depends on the type, size, and location of the lesion.
Yes, in many cases. Several skin tags, cherry angiomas, seborrheic keratoses, or other appropriate lesions may be treated during the same appointment.
Many patients return to routine activities promptly after treatment. Restrictions depend on the procedure, location, whether sutures are required, and the activity involved.
Avoid pools, the ocean, hot tubs, and baths until the treated area has adequately healed. Dr. López Konschot will advise you when it is safe based on the procedure performed.
Recurrence depends on the type of lesion and treatment method. Some lesions can recur if residual tissue remains, while new benign growths may also develop elsewhere over time.
Treatment cost varies according to the type, size, number, and complexity of the lesions being addressed.
Pricing depends on the type, size, number, location, and complexity of the lesion or lesions being treated.
| Treatment | Cabo Plastic Surgery — Starting Price |
|---|---|
| Evaluation (Consultation) | $130 USD |
| Mole Removal | $500 USD |
| Seborrheic Keratosis Removal | $200 USD |
| Cherry Angioma / Ruby Spot Removal | $100 USD |
| Lipoma Removal | $500 USD |
Final pricing is confirmed after evaluation. All post-procedure consultations are included at no additional charge.
For patients ready to address a bothersome or unwanted lesion, the first step is a clinical evaluation to determine exactly what it is and the most appropriate way to treat it.
Start with an evaluation with Dr. Roberto López Konschot. Many benign lesions can be evaluated and treated during the same visit when appropriate.
You will receive a clear explanation of what the lesion appears to be, whether straightforward treatment is appropriate, and which technique is best suited to the area.
Schedule an EvaluationThis information is intended for educational purposes only and does not replace an in-person medical evaluation.
Skin lesions can have different appearances and causes. A diagnosis cannot be confirmed from general website information alone. Any lesion that is new, changing, symptomatic, unusual in appearance, or otherwise concerning should be appropriately evaluated before cosmetic treatment or removal.
Treatment recommendations, the need for biopsy or pathology, expected scarring, recovery, and results vary according to the individual lesion and patient.
Last Updated: September 2026
Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Roberto López Konschot, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon