Searching for a highly experienced plastic surgeon to perform your skin biopsy in Toronto? Look no further than Dr. Bimpe Ayeni. With over 15 years of experience as a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Ayeni has the expertise to perform skin biopsies with great precision, helping diagnose conditions like skin cancer and infections.
What is a Skin Biopsy?
A skin biopsy is a straightforward, minimally invasive procedure where a small sample of your skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. This allows a specialist like Dr. Ayeni to analyze the skin sample and determine if any abnormalities or disease processes are present.
There are a few main reasons your doctor may recommend getting a skin biopsy in Toronto:
- To diagnose skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, skin cancer and infections
- To confirm the type of a suspicious growth or lesion on the skin, such as a mole
- To check the edges around a removed skin cancer/lesion to ensure all abnormal cells have been eliminated
- To determine the cause of an unexplained rash that has not responded to initial treatments
Dr. Ayeni often recommends skin biopsies for any unusual growths, spots, sores or other skin changes during an examination. A biopsy can provide vital information to create an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to your needs.
How is a Skin Biopsy Performed?
Skin biopsies are quick 5-10 minute procedures performed under local anesthesia. This involves injecting a small amount of numbing medication into the area to prevent you from feeling any pain or discomfort.
Dr. Ayeni uses meticulous skill and precision to obtain the best possible skin sample for analysis. There are a few different techniques she may use:
- Punch Biopsy
A punch biopsy uses a sharp, cylindrical blade ranging from 1-6mm in diameter to collect a core sample of tissue from the skin. The dermatologist rotates and presses the punch down through the epidermis and into the dermis to excise a cylindrical sample, typically down to the subcutaneous fat. This method is advantageous for sampling thick-skinned areas and allows the dermatologist to retrieve a full-thickness specimen for diagnosis.
- Shave Biopsy
A shave biopsy uses a scalpel, curette or other sharp, thin blade to shave off and remove abnormal tissue on the skin’s surface. It is an effective method for removing raised lesions such as moles, wart-like growths, or other superficial skin growths. A shave biopsy only samples the epidermis and does not collect deeper tissue.
- Excisional Biopsy
An excisional biopsy involves surgically cutting out and removing an entire lesion, abnormal growth, or mole. The full thickness of the skin is excised, allowing the dermatologist to retrieve a sample that includes epidermis, dermis, and portions of the subcutaneous fat for analysis. Excisional biopsies are preferred for sampling larger moles or growths that may appear suspicious.
- Incisional Biopsy
An incisional biopsy is used to remove a portion of a larger affected skin area such as a rash or widespread lesion. A small, full thickness sample area is surgically excised rather than removing the entire affected region. This method allows the dermatologist to diagnose what is affecting a broader region of skin without having to remove it all.
After the sample is obtained, the area is closed with stitches and covered with a sterile bandage. Within a week, the area heals similar to a paper cut. Scarring is typically minimal.
Analyzing the Skin Sample
Dr. Ayeni sends skin biopsies to be analyzed at trusted laboratories in Toronto. Specialists examine the skin tissue under high-powered microscopes to check for any abnormalities in the cells and structures of your skin:
- Analyzing skin cell irregularities can reveal fungal or bacterial infections, skin cancer or other diseases.
- The lab technicians note the location of different cell types and check for any unusual growth patterns.
- They assess if your skin cells appear healthy or show signs of damage from sun exposure, toxins or injuries.
- For pigmented lesions, they evaluate the types and amounts of melanin pigment in the skin cells.
Within a week or two, the lab sends a detailed pathology report to Dr. Ayeni outlining their analysis. She will schedule a follow-up appointment to go over these results and discuss treatment options tailored to your skin biopsy findings.
With Dr. Ayeni’s world-class expertise, you can achieve the look you’ve always wanted. Let’s make it happen together.
Benefits of Getting a Skin Biopsy in Toronto
A skin biopsy is a straightforward procedure that can provide invaluable information about changes in the skin. This test offers many benefits for patients, including:
| Gain an accurate diagnosis | A skin biopsy provides vital information about changes in your skin cells. This allows for proper identification of conditions like skin cancer, infections and inflammatory diseases. |
| Start proper treatment sooner | Knowing the exact cause of your skin condition means Dr. Ayeni can get you started on targeted therapies right away to improve your skin. |
| Identify high-risk lesions | If a mole or lesion is precancerous or cancerous, a biopsy can detect this early when it is easiest to treat. |
| Improve aesthetic outcomes | For large growths Dr. Ayeni removes, a biopsy first confirms if the lesion is harmless before excision to help avoid unnecessary scarring. |
| Provide reassurance | If your biopsy results are normal, you can have peace of mind knowing there is no serious underlying skin condition present. |
| Monitor treatment progress | Repeat biopsies may be performed over time to see if treatments are effectively improving your skin disease. |
Risks and Side Effects
Skin biopsies conducted by Dr. Ayeni are very safe and effective procedures. Only a tiny sample of skin is extracted, making risks extremely low. However, patients should still be informed about potential side effects, no matter how minor they may be.
The most common side effects associated with skin biopsies include:
Pain or Soreness: Some discomfort, stinging, or mild pain is common after the numbing medication wears off, but this usually resolves within a few days as the biopsy site heals.
Bleeding: Oozing and bleeding is common immediately after the biopsy but is usually minimal and stops quickly with pressure. Extensive or prolonged bleeding is very rare.
Infection: When proper sterile technique is used, infection risk is low. However, any break in the skin carries a small risk of bacterial infection, which may require antibiotics. Signs of infection include increasing pain, redness, swelling, drainage, or fever.
Scarring: A small scar will form where the skin sample was taken, but proper wound care can minimize scarring. Scars may be more noticeable if the biopsy was deep or if sutures were used.
Pigment Changes: The area may become lighter or darker than the surrounding skin, but this often gradually resolves, though it can sometimes be permanent, especially with deeper biopsies.
Numbness: There may be a small patch of numbness if tiny sensory nerves were cut, but feeling typically returns slowly over several weeks as the nerves regenerate.
Adverse Reaction to Anesthetic: Allergic reactions to the local anesthetic are rare but may cause hives, itching, swelling, and difficulty breathing.
It’s important that patients follow all post-procedure wound care instructions carefully to lower chances of complications.
Let Dr. Ayeni’s Expertise Guide Your Skin Biopsy in Toronto
Dr. Bimpe Ayeni offers exceptional care before, during and after skin biopsy procedures. Her dedication to patients and wealth of experience ensure you receive the most accurate results and appropriate treatment plan for your needs.
Dr. Ayeni’s qualifications include:
- Medical Degree from the University of Ottawa
- Plastic Surgery Residency at McMaster University
- Prestigious Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship at Harvard University
- 15+ years of experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Former Head of Plastic Surgery Division at Southlake Regional Health Centre
- Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto
- Board Certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons
Dr. Ayeni stays up-to-date on the latest dermatological advances through continued education and conferences. This ensures she can diagnose even the rarest skin conditions.
Her clinic offers a comfortable, private environment to discuss your questions and concerns. Dr. Ayeni takes time to explain the procedure and aftercare instructions in detail.
As an expert in minimally invasive surgeries, Dr. Ayeni performs skin biopsies with great precision, minimizing scarring and discomfort. Her staff provides compassionate support throughout your experience.
Dr. Ayeni combines technical skill with an artistic eye to deliver natural-looking results. Ready to see the new you?
Trust an Experienced Plastic Surgeon for Your Skin Biopsy
Don’t wait to get answers about changes in your skin. Schedule a skin biopsy consultation with Dr. Bimpe Ayeni today. Her office is conveniently located in Newmarket, Ontario, minutes north of Toronto.
Dr. Ayeni provides attentive care to patients from Toronto, Aurora, Vaughan, Markham, Stouffville and surrounding communities.
Take the first step to an accurate skin diagnosis and targeted treatment. With Dr. Ayeni’s expert care, your skin biopsy will provide vital insights so you can get back to healthy, radiant skin again.
