Does curettage leave visible scars?

Curettage is indicated for very superficial lesions. It usually doesn't leave visible, permanent scars, but a subtle mark may appear on the skin. Scars are usually round, flat, and the same size as the original lesion. In the days to weeks after the procedure, the scar may be redder, but this is temporary and part of the normal healing process.

How long does healing take after curettage?

Healing time depends on the size of the lesion and the patient's own internal factors. After a week, a small scab should form, indicating proper healing. This scab should fall off spontaneously and naturally. During the skin regeneration phase, the area should be carefully disinfected and moisturized.

Is curettage a painful procedure?

Curettage is a virtually painless procedure. However, in some cases, topical or local anesthesia may be applied for patient comfort. During the procedure, you may feel a sensation of pressure, but never intense or unbearable pain.

Is it necessary to give stitches?

This type of procedure doesn't involve suturing because there are no cuts in the skin. For very extensive lesions, your dermatologist will recommend another equally effective procedure. After curettage, small dressings are placed on the treated areas, which can be removed after a few hours.

Can the skin surrounding the injury be damaged?

The skin removed during cutaneous curettage has different characteristics than healthy tissue. Therefore, the procedure only scrapes the affected area, without damaging the surrounding skin. It's a very precise and effective procedure with excellent aesthetic results.

Cutaneous curettage: Treatment for healthy skin

The presence of warts or molluscum makes your skin less healthy and more at risk of infection. Curettage is a quick and painless method for treating these lesions.

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What is Skin Curettage?

Curettage is a simple yet effective technique that allows you to remove superficial skin lesions, practically without damaging the surrounding skin.

Occasionally, it also allows the obtaining of material for anatomopathological examination.

It is a minimally invasive, low-risk and very effective procedure that does not leave permanent scars.

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Curettage

Indications

Curettage is mainly used in the treatment of:

Molluscum contagiosum;
Viral warts;
Calluses;
Seborrheic keratoses;
Actinic keratoses.

It's the procedure of choice for treating molluscum contagiosum, a very common viral infection in children. It manifests as small, flesh-colored or yellowish papules that gradually spread.

Procedure

During the first consultation, the dermatologist assesses the type of lesions and their location.

At this point, you should tell your doctor what type of medication you are taking and any allergies you may have, as a precaution.

In Skin Curettage, a medical instrument called a curette is used. It's a spoon-shaped instrument with a sharp edge. It performs delicate scraping with extreme precision, usually reaching only the most superficial layer of the skin.

It does not require anesthesia and is performed in the office, however an anesthetic cream may be applied to the injured area to numb the area to be operated on.
After curettage, the patient returns to normal life on the same day.

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Post-Treatment

Recovery from the procedure is immediate. Your doctor may prescribe a disinfectant or topical cream to facilitate healing and leave minimal visible marks.

In the days following the procedure you must:

Avoid sun exposure to minimize scar hyperpigmentation;
Keep the area dry and disinfected in order to protect the area being treated from external elements that could cause infection;
Apply a moisturizing and healing ointment.

A small scab will form on the treated area and should not be removed. Over time, it will fall off, allowing complete and proper healing.

This care is essential because this is the only way to create minimal, practically imperceptible scars.

Possible complications

As a rule, there are no complications associated with curettage.

However, if within 2 to 3 days after the procedure you notice intense pain in the area, the area is very red, inflamed, or leaking pus, you should speak to your dermatologist to rule out a possible infection at the site.