During the skin biopsy
Depending on the location of the skin biopsy, you may be asked to undress and change into a clean gown.
Your healthcare team will clean the site of the biopsy and mark the outline of the site. An anesthetic may be injected into the skin around the area to numb it. The numbing medicine can cause a burning feeling in the skin for a few seconds. After that, you shouldn't feel any pain during the skin biopsy. To make sure the numbing medicine is working, your healthcare professional may prick your skin with a needle and ask you if you feel anything.
What you can expect during your skin biopsy depends on the type of biopsy you'll undergo.
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For a shave biopsy, the healthcare professional may use a razor blade or scalpel to scrape the tissue. The depth of the cut varies. A shave biopsy causes bleeding. Pressure and a medicine might be applied to stop the bleeding.
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For a punch biopsy or an excisional biopsy, the healthcare professional cuts into the top layer of fat beneath the skin. Stitches may be needed and a bandage is applied.
A skin biopsy takes about 15 minutes. At any point in the process, tell your healthcare team if you're feeling uncomfortable.
After the skin biopsy
Once your healthcare team has collected enough cells or tissue for analysis, your skin biopsy procedure is complete. Your biopsy sample is sent to a lab for analysis. The results may be available in a few days, though more-technical tests may require more time. Ask your healthcare professional how long you can expect to wait.
Your healthcare team applies a bandage over the area of the biopsy. You may be asked to apply pressure to the bandage for several minutes to ensure there is minimal bleeding. In most cases, you can leave when the procedure is completed and you've been told how to care for the wound.
Sometimes the biopsy site bleeds after you leave the clinic. This is more likely in people taking blood-thinning medicine. If this occurs, apply direct pressure to the covered biopsy site for 20 minutes, then look at it. If bleeding continues, apply pressure for another 20 minutes. If bleeding still continues after that, contact your healthcare professional.
Biopsies usually cause a small scar. They tend to fade with time. The scar's permanent color will be set 1 to 2 years after the biopsy.
Avoid bumping the biopsy site or doing activities that stretch the skin. Stretching the skin could lead to bleeding or a bigger scar. Don't soak in a bathtub, swimming pool or hot tub until your healthcare professional says it's OK — usually about seven days after the procedure.
Healing can take several weeks. Wounds on the legs and feet tend to heal slower than those on other areas of the body.
Clean the biopsy site two times a day unless it's on your scalp. Scalp wounds can be cleaned once a day. Follow these steps:
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Wash your hands with soap and water before touching the biopsy site.
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Wash the biopsy site with soap and water. If the biopsy site is on your scalp, use shampoo.
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Rinse well and pat dry with a clean towel.
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Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly. Use a new container of petroleum jelly the first time you do wound care. Use a new cotton swab each time you apply the product.
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Cover the site with a bandage (Band-Aid, Curad, others) for 2 to 3 days after the procedure.
If you have stitches, continue wound care until they're removed. If you don't have stitches, take these wound care steps until the skin is healed.
If your wound is sore, ask your healthcare professional if you can apply ice wrapped in a thin towel. If your wound shows signs of infection, contact your healthcare team. Signs of infection include fever, chills, increased pain, and swelling or pain at the biopsy site.