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Number 1 Skin Cancer & Pre-Cancer Care

C. Skin Cancer Treatment

Number 1 Skin Cancer & Pre-Cancer Care

A. Skin Cancer Diagnosis

B. Skin Cancer Types

C. Skin Cancer Treatment

D. Pre-Cancerous Lesions

Number 1 Medical Dermatology
(Chronic & Inflammatory Skin Diseases)
Number 3 Pigment & Lesion Disorders
Number 4 Non-Cancer Growth
Number 5 Surgical Dermatology (Non-Cancer Procedures)
Number 6 Cosmetic Dermatology
Electrodessication & Curettage PDF

• Electrodessication & Curettage (ED&C)

What is ED&C?

Electrodessication & Curettage (ED&C) is a common in-office procedure used to treat certain superficial, low-risk skin cancers. Your dermatologist scrapes away the lesion with a specialized instrument (a curette) and then uses a controlled electrical current to dry/cauterize the base to help destroy remaining abnormal cells and control bleeding. The scrape-and-treat cycle is often repeated during the same visit.

Key point: ED&C typically does not require stitches and heals naturally over several weeks.

What conditions is ED&C used for?

ED&C is commonly used for small, superficial basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and superficial squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in appropriate locations.
It may also be used for some precancerous lesions in select situations.

Your dermatologist will recommend ED&C only if it’s a good match for the type, depth, location, and risk level of your lesion.

What to expect during the procedure

Most ED&C treatments are done in the office with local numbing:

  1. Clean & numb the area (brief pinch/burn with numbing medicine)

  2. Curettage: the lesion is gently scraped away

  3. Electrodessication: the base is treated to control bleeding and treat remaining cells

  4. Steps 2–3 may be repeated during the visit

  5. A bandage is applied, and you’ll receive wound care instructions

Pre-Op Instructions (Before ED&C)

Before your appointment

Please tell us if you:

  • Take blood thinners (including aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel, apixaban, rivaroxaban, etc.)

  • Have a bleeding disorder or bruise easily

  • Have allergies to lidocaine, antiseptics, or adhesives

  • Have a pacemaker/defibrillator (rarely relevant, but important to note)

⚠️ Do not stop prescribed blood thinners unless your prescribing clinician instructs you.

One week before
  • Stop drinking alcohol (due to blood thinning effect of alcohol)
  • Stop smoking
  • stop fish oil supplement
  • avoid optional aspirin and NSAIDS: Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), Naproxen (Aleve®), Aspirin (Bayer®), etc…
Day of procedure

  • Eat normally (no fasting needed unless we specifically instruct you)

  • Take your regular medications unless told otherwise

  • Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area

Avoid lotion/makeup directly over the site (especially face/scalp)

Post-Op Instructions (After ED&C)

ED&C heals by “secondary intention,” meaning the site heals from the bottom up and edges inward. Expect a scab and gradual healing over the next few weeks.

First 24 hours

  • Keep the bandage on and keep the area dry (unless instructed otherwise)

Starting after 24 hours (daily wound care)

  1. Wash hands

  2. Gently clean with mild soap and water

  3. Pat dry

  4. Apply a thin layer of ointment as instructed

  5. Cover with a clean bandage

Continue daily until the site is healed.

What’s normal during healing

  • Mild redness around the area

  • Tenderness/soreness for a few days

  • A scab or yellowish film (often part of normal healing)

Bleeding

If bleeding occurs:

  1. Apply firm pressure for 15 minutes without checking

  2. Repeat once if needed

  3. If bleeding continues after 30 minutes, contact the office

Avoid until cleared

  • Swimming, hot tubs, baths (soaking)

  • Picking the scab (can slow healing and increase scarring)

  • Heavy friction over the site

Call us if you notice

  • Increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pus, fever

  • Worsening pain after the first day

  • Bleeding that won’t stop with pressure

  • Red streaking from the wound

Request An Appointment

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ED&C hurt?

The area is numbed with local anesthetic. You may feel pressure or scraping, but you should not feel sharp pain during the procedure.

Often 10–20 minutes, depending on the size and location, plus time for numbing and instructions.

Usually no—ED&C typically heals without stitches.

Healing varies by location and size, but many sites heal over several weeks.

ED&C may not be recommended for deeper, higher-risk tumors, or for certain locations where margin control or cosmetic outcome is especially important. Your dermatologist will guide you based on your diagnosis.

If a lesion recurs, additional treatment (often surgical excision or Mohs surgery) may be recommended depending on the site and pathology.

Light activity is usually okay, but avoid strenuous exercise or stretching the area for the timeframe your clinician recommends—especially if the site is on the back, shoulders, or legs.

Often yes—especially retinoids and exfoliating acids for several days before and after. We’ll give you an exact list based on your regimen.

Yes. ED&C usually leaves a flat, round or oval scar that may look lighter or slightly different in texture than surrounding skin. Over time, many scars fade and become less noticeable.