Aesthetic medicine

Histopathological examination of a skin lesion, how long you wait for the result

When removing skin lesions, patients most often ask about the scar. There is a more important question: whether, after the treatment, material remains that can be tested. That determines whether we find out at all what the removed lesion was.

Published 12 January 2022. Last verified 24 August 2026.

This article describes what happens to the removed lesion and what the sequence looks like after the treatment. If you are looking for an answer to whether a lesion on your skin needs a visit, the right page is worrying mole. A lesion you have noticed yourself is a reason for a visit, not for reading online.

What the test involves

Lesions that raise doubts are sent for histopathological examination. This involves examining the collected tissue sample under a microscope to assess the nature of the lesion. It is a highly effective test and important for the diagnosis of cancerous conditions. Based on the result, the doctor decides on further management, if it is needed.

Earlier, before the treatment, the doctor carries out a dermoscopy examination, which allows an initial assessment of the nature of the lesion. These two tests do not replace each other: dermoscopy is an initial assessment, while the diagnosis is made on the basis of histopathology.

Why the removal method matters

Two methods are most often used to remove skin lesions: surgical excision and radiofrequency. The treatment is carried out by a doctor, who qualifies the patient for the appropriate procedure. If the lesion is benign, a less invasive method can be used, but when it raises doubts, we recommend surgical excision along with histopathological examination of the sample. Both methods require local anaesthesia.

This is the key point: not every method of removing a naevus or mole allows material to be collected for testing. Some techniques vaporise the lesion, so nothing is left to examine under a microscope. That is why, for lesions of unclear nature, the choice of method is not a matter of convenience or scar size.

With non-pigmented lesions, it can be different: if the technique allows the lesion to be removed in full, material remains and can be sent for testing. Whether this will be the case is decided by the doctor before the treatment, after the dermoscopy assessment. This option does not apply to pigmented lesions, for which the rule described above applies.

A fuller explanation of this topic, including why pigmented lesions are not removed with a laser, can be found on the worrying mole page.

What the result shows

The result describes the nature of the removed lesion. Most often it confirms that the lesion was benign, and then management ends with a follow-up visit after the treatment. If the result points to something else, the doctor decides on further management, and sometimes refers the patient for further diagnostics. There is no point interpreting the description on your own: a histopathological diagnosis is discussed with the doctor.

It is also worth knowing that the test has value regardless of the result. Even confirmation that the lesion was benign is information that cannot be obtained any other way, and it stays in your medical records.

Scar care

Once the treatment site has fully healed, you can start using scar-reducing preparations. If the lesion was excised from the face, for example, the scar can be reduced with a suitably chosen laser treatment. The date is decided by the doctor after assessing healing, because scar care started too early works against itself.

We have described the methods used in scar therapy in the article on scar treatments.

Further on the site

1. If a lesion raises concern: worrying mole.
2. Course of the treatment and methods: removal of skin lesions.
3. After healing: scar therapy.
4. Prices: aesthetic medicine price list.
5. Booking a visit: doctor's consultation or contact.

What a histopathological examination involves +

This involves examining the collected tissue sample under a microscope to assess the nature of the lesion. It is a highly effective test and important for the diagnosis of cancerous conditions. Based on the result, the doctor makes a decision about further management, if it is needed.

How long does it take to get the histopathology test result +

The result usually takes around two weeks. The exact time depends on the laboratory, so precise information is given at the treatment, together with the date of the follow-up visit.

Does every removal method allow the lesion to be tested +

No. Not every method of removing a naevus or mole allows material to be collected for testing, because some techniques vaporise the lesion without leaving a sample. That is why, for pigmented lesions that raise doubts, the method of first choice is surgical excision. With non-pigmented lesions, if the technique allows the lesion to be removed in full, material remains and can be sent for testing; this is decided by the doctor before the treatment.

When are stitches removed after excision of the lesion +

After excision, stitches are applied and usually removed after seven to ten days. The date is set by the doctor at the treatment, as it depends on the area and how healing progresses.

From when can you start scar care after the treatment +

Once the treatment site has fully healed, you can start using scar-reducing preparations, and if the lesion was excised from the face, for example, the scar can be reduced with a suitably chosen laser treatment. The date is decided by the doctor after assessing healing.

Is another examination performed before removing a lesion +

Yes. Before choosing a method, the doctor performs a dermoscopic examination, which allows an initial assessment of the nature of the lesion. The dermoscopic assessment is preliminary, and the diagnosis is made on the basis of histopathological examination.

Sources

Literature on the relationship between dermoscopy and histopathology is given in the section What the research says. The description of the histopathological examination, the waiting time for the result, the timing of suture removal, and the principles for selecting the method have been carried over from NL Clinic source material. The distinction for pigmented and non-pigmented lesions was confirmed by the clinic on 24 August 2026.

About this text

The text was prepared by the NL Clinic team. Published on 12 January 2022, last verified on 24 August 2026.

This content is informational in nature and does not replace a medical consultation or examination.