Skin lesion evaluation & removal Henderson, Nevada
A closer look. A clearer plan.

Skin Lesion Removal in Henderson, NV

A bump, a changing mole, or a growth that bothers you. Start with a surgeon’s evaluation.

Dr. Amal Obaid-Schmid evaluates and removes lipomas, cysts, moles, skin tags, and warts, and performs skin biopsies. Most procedures are done right in our Henderson clinic.

Schedule an evaluation Call (725) 291-5900

An evaluation comes before a decision to remove.

Dr. Amal Obaid-Schmid, general surgeon at Elite Rapid Care
Dr. Amal Obaid-Schmid, MDGeneral Surgeon · Elite Rapid Care
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01 Evaluation comes first

Understand the growth.
Then decide what to do.

A skin lesion is any area of skin that looks or feels different from the skin around it. The term describes what you see, and an exam tells you what it is and whether it needs treatment.

Something that looks like a skin tag can turn out to be something else, and a lump under the skin deserves a closer look before removal. You don’t need to identify the lesion before you book. Bring your questions, any history of changes, and any products you have already tried.

  1. 01

    Look at the lesion

    Dr. Obaid-Schmid examines its size, shape, color, texture, and location, and how it feels under the skin. A photo or description alone is rarely enough for a diagnosis.

  2. 02

    Understand its history

    Tell us when you noticed it, whether it has changed, and whether it hurts, itches, bleeds, or catches on clothing. Mention any treatment you have tried.

  3. 03

    Talk about your goals

    You may want an answer about a changing growth, relief from irritation, or removal for appearance. Your goals shape the plan alongside the exam.

  4. 04

    Choose the next step

    You hear whether monitoring, treatment, removal, or a biopsy fits best, including the method, setting, and timing, before anything is done.

02 Six areas of care

Different lesions.
Different decisions.

Dr. Obaid-Schmid evaluates the conditions below and performs skin biopsies when needed. Diagnosis, size, depth, and location decide the treatment and whether an office procedure fits.

01

A lump beneath the skin

Lipoma removal

A lipoma is a soft, slow-growing lump of fat under the skin that moves slightly when pressed. Many cause no trouble, and others bother you because of their size or location. A new, growing, painful, or firm lump should be examined first.

Removal is a short office procedure under local anesthesia: a small incision, then excision of the lump. Larger or deeper lipomas may need imaging or a different setting. Expect stitches out in about 10 to 14 days and a return to normal activity within a week or two, avoiding heavy exertion until cleared.

02

Epidermoid and commonly called sebaceous cysts

Cyst removal

A skin cyst is a sac under the skin. Most so-called sebaceous cysts are epidermoid cysts filled with keratin, a skin protein. They can stay quiet for years or turn swollen, tender, or infected.

Draining a cyst relieves pressure, but it often refills because the wall stays behind. Excision removes the cyst and its wall, which gives the best chance it stays gone. An inflamed or infected cyst is usually treated first and removed once it settles. Stitches typically come out in 10 to 14 days. Skip squeezing or popping it yourself.

03

Assessment before a removal decision

Mole removal

Moles are clusters of pigment cells, and most are harmless. Melanoma is the most serious skin cancer, and finding it early makes it far more treatable. Dr. Obaid-Schmid checks the ABCDEs: Asymmetry, irregular Border, uneven Color, Diameter over about 6 mm, and Evolving (any change). Smaller moles can still be concerning.

You can have a mole removed because it catches on clothing, bothers you, or worries you. Removed moles are sent to a lab to confirm what they are. Shave removal heals in 1 to 2 weeks, and stitches from an excision come out at about 1 to 2 weeks. Dr. Obaid-Schmid chooses the method that gets the right tissue sample for your mole.

04

Small growths need the right identification

Skin tag removal

Skin tags are soft, small growths that form where skin or clothing rubs, such as the neck and underarms. Before removal, Dr. Obaid-Schmid confirms the growth is a skin tag and not another type of lesion.

Common methods are snip excision, cautery, or freezing, chosen by the tag and its location. Most heal within 1 to 2 weeks. New tags can form later, and removing one does not stop that. Please skip wart medicine and at-home cutting.

05

Treatment for non-genital warts

Wart removal

Common warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and usually appear as rough growths on the hands or feet. This page covers non-genital warts. A growth that bleeds, changes, or keeps coming back should be examined.

Treatment includes freezing, prescription topical medicines, and selected removal procedures. Freezing is usually repeated every 2 to 3 weeks, and most warts clear within 3 to 4 sessions, though some take longer. Warts can return, and Dr. Obaid-Schmid adjusts the plan if they do.

06

Tissue testing to guide the next step

Skin and excisional biopsy

A skin biopsy takes a tissue sample that a pathologist examines under a microscope. It is how doctors diagnose skin cancers such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, and how they confirm what a mole or other lesion really is. A shave biopsy takes the surface layers, a punch biopsy takes a small core of skin, and an excisional biopsy removes the whole lesion.

The procedure takes minutes under local anesthesia. Results typically come back in 1 to 2 weeks, and our team reviews them with you. If treatment is needed, Dr. Obaid-Schmid explains the next step, whether that is further removal, monitoring, or a referral. Stitches, if used, come out in 1 to 2 weeks.

Risks, in brief

Office removal is low risk. Possible effects include a scar, bleeding, infection, a change in skin color at the site, and the lesion coming back. Dr. Obaid-Schmid reviews what to expect for your lesion before she starts. Very large, deep, or complex lesions may call for a different setting, and she tells you at your evaluation.

03 At-home products & clinical care

Before you treat it,
know what it is.

Removal creams, freezing kits, and skin tag bands look like an easy fix. Whether one works depends on what the growth actually is.

Different products have different uses

A wart treatment is
not a mole treatment.

Over-the-counter products are meant for common warts. Used on a mole, skin tag, or cyst, they can injure healthy skin. The FDA states there are no FDA-approved over-the-counter drugs for mole or skin tag removal.

Skip cutting, burning, tying off, or using a removal cream on a growth you haven’t had identified.

Why the assessment matters

Protect your skin.
Preserve the diagnosis.

Home removal can cause burns, bleeding, infection, scarring, or color changes. It can also destroy the tissue a pathologist needs, and delay the diagnosis of a growth that should have been biopsied.

If you have already tried a product, tell Dr. Obaid-Schmid what you used and how your skin responded.

04 Your visit & recovery

Care in the clinic.
A plan for home.

Most skin lesion procedures are done in-office at Elite Rapid Care. Your scheduled evaluation sets the plan and whether treatment happens that day or at a follow-up.

Unlike our hernia repair and gallbladder surgery services, which are scheduled at West Henderson Hospital, skin lesion care stays in the clinic.

Reception at Elite Rapid Care’s Henderson clinic
Your evaluation and follow-up: Elite Rapid Care, Henderson.
  1. 01

    Start with an assessment

    Your scheduled evaluation

    Dr. Obaid-Schmid examines the lesion, reviews your history, and walks you through your options. Many small lesions are treated at the same visit or at a follow-up booked soon after, depending on the findings and availability.

  2. 02

    Know what to expect

    Preparing and numbing the area

    Most excisions and biopsies use local anesthesia, so the area is numb and you stay awake. Most procedures take 15 to 30 minutes, and you go home right after.

  3. 03

    An answer beyond appearance

    Tissue testing when appropriate

    Removed tissue goes to a pathology lab. Results typically take 1 to 2 weeks, and our team contacts you to review them. Call us if you have not heard by then.

  4. 04

    Clear instructions for home

    Your wound care plan

    You get simple instructions for cleaning and protecting the site. Most small sites heal in 1 to 2 weeks, and you can usually return to normal activity within days. Larger excisions need a little longer before heavy exertion.

  5. 05

    Keep your care connected

    Follow-up with your surgeon

    Stitches usually come out at about 10 to 14 days (5 to 7 days on the face), and you review your results with Dr. Obaid-Schmid at Elite Rapid Care.

05 Insurance & cost

Medical or cosmetic?
Understand the difference.

Insurance often covers removal of a lesion that is painful, repeatedly irritated, limits function, or looks suspicious. Removal for appearance alone is usually self-pay.

We accept the same insurance plans and self-pay options as our main clinic. Our team verifies your benefits and reviews expected costs before you commit to a procedure, including any separate pathology lab charge.

Call (725) 291-5900 about coverage

06 Meet your surgeon

Dr. Amal
Obaid-Schmid, MD

General Surgeon · Medical Director

Dr. Obaid-Schmid trained at UCLA, USC, and UC Irvine and has more than 20 years of experience in general surgery and surgical critical care, serving patients across Nevada.

For skin lesion care, she examines your growth, explains what she sees, and recommends the next step. If removal makes sense, she performs your procedure and follows up with you at Elite Rapid Care.

Explore our surgical services Meet the broader Elite team

07 Questions, answered

What would you
like to know?

Common questions about skin lesion removal, biopsies, recovery, and care at Elite Rapid Care.

What's the difference between a lipoma, a cyst, and a skin tag?

A lipoma is a soft lump of fat under the skin. An epidermoid cyst is a sac of keratin that can become inflamed. A skin tag is a small, soft growth that forms where skin rubs. Other growths can look similar, so an exam confirms what you have and whether to monitor, remove, or test it.

Does a mole need to be biopsied, or can it just be removed?

Dr. Obaid-Schmid examines the mole first. Any mole with concerning features gets a biopsy. Moles removed for comfort or appearance are also sent to a lab, because it is the only way to confirm they are harmless. Ask which technique she recommends and how you will get your results.

Is skin lesion removal done in the office, or does it require a hospital visit?

Most minor skin lesion procedures are done in our Henderson clinic under local anesthesia. Very large, deep, or complex lesions may call for a different setting, and Dr. Obaid-Schmid tells you at your evaluation. Treatment is sometimes possible at the same visit, depending on the lesion and availability.

How much does skin lesion removal cost?

Cost depends on the lesion type, size, and number, the method used, and whether pathology is needed. Insurance often covers removal that is medically necessary, such as a painful, irritated, or suspicious lesion. Cosmetic removal is usually self-pay. Elite Rapid Care accepts the same insurance plans and self-pay options as our main clinic, and our team reviews expected charges, including lab fees, before treatment.

What are the risks of skin lesion removal?

Office removal is low risk. Possible effects include a scar, bleeding, infection, a change in skin color at the site, and the lesion coming back. Tell Dr. Obaid-Schmid if you tend to form raised or thick scars, and she will plan around it.

Will removing a skin tag, mole, or cyst leave a scar?

Most removals leave a small mark that fades over several months, and a scar can take 6 to 12 months to fully mature. Shave and freezing methods often leave a flat, lighter patch. Excisions leave a thin line scar. Location, size, and your skin type all play a role, and Dr. Obaid-Schmid reviews the likely result with you first.

How do I know if a mole should be checked by a doctor?

Get a mole checked if it is new, changing, or different from your other moles. Use the ABCDEs: Asymmetry, irregular Border, uneven Color, Diameter over about 6 mm, and Evolving. Itching, bleeding, or a sore that does not heal also count. These can be signs of melanoma or other skin cancer, which are far easier to treat when found early. Please skip removing it yourself.

Can a cyst just be drained instead of removed?

Draining relieves pressure but leaves the cyst wall in place, so the cyst often refills. Excision removes the wall and gives the best chance it stays gone. If the cyst is inflamed or infected, drainage or antibiotics usually come first and removal follows once it settles.

How long until I get biopsy results, and what happens next?

Biopsy results typically take 1 to 2 weeks. Our team contacts you to review them, and call us if you have not heard by then. An excisional biopsy removes the whole visible lesion, and the pathology report tells us whether anything more is needed. Many results need no further treatment.

How long does recovery take after in-office lesion removal?

Most small sites heal in 1 to 2 weeks. Excisions with stitches usually have them removed at 10 to 14 days (about 5 to 7 days on the face), and you can return to normal activity within a few days to a week or two. Warts take several treatment sessions. Call us for increasing pain, redness, swelling, pus, fever, or bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure.

Are wart removal and skin tag removal the same procedure?

No. Warts are caused by HPV and often need repeat treatment, while skin tags are not viral. Freezing works for both, but the diagnosis and location set the plan. Wart medicines do not belong on skin tags, and new tags or warts can appear after treatment.

Still have a question? Call our team

Your next step

Let’s take a closer look.

Bring your questions about that lump, mole, tag, or wart. Dr. Obaid-Schmid and the Elite Rapid Care team evaluate your lesion, explain your options, and plan any treatment you need.

Schedule an evaluation Call (725) 291-5900

2960 Sunridge Heights Pkwy, Suite 100 · Henderson, NV 89052

Looking for a broader, non-surgical evaluation? Explore urgent care at our main clinic .

Medical information

This page is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Talk with a qualified healthcare provider about your symptoms and options.

If you think you have a medical emergency, go to the nearest emergency department or call 911.