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Chemosurgery
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Removal of tissue after it has been destroyed by chemical means
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Chemical peel
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A technique for restoring wrinkled, scarred, or blemished skin by applying an acid solution to "peel" away the top layers of the skin
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Cryosurgery
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Destruction of tissue by freezing with application of an extremely cold chemical (e.g., liquid nitrogen)
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Dermabrasion
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Surgical removal of epidermis frozen by aerosol spray using wire brushes and emery papers to remove scars, tattoos, and/or wrinkles
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Debridement
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Removal of dead tissue from a wound or burn site to promote healing and to prevent infection
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Curettage
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Cleaning; scraping a wound using a spoon-like cutting instrument called a curette; used for debridement
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Electrosurgical procedures
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Use of electric current to destroy tissue; the type and strength of the current and method of application vary
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Electrocautery
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Use of an instrument heated by electric current (cautery) to coagulate bleeding areas by burning the tissue
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Electrodesiccation
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Use of high-frequency electric currents to destroy tissue by drying it; the active electrode makes direct contact with the skin lesion (meaning = to dry up)
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Fulguration
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To lighten; use of long, high-frequency, electric sparks to destroy tissue; the active electrode does not touch the skin
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Incision and drainage (I&D)
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Incision and drainage of an infected skin lesion (e.g., an abscess)
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Laser
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An acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation; an instrument that concentrates high frequencies of light into a small, extremely intense beam that is precise in depth and diameter; applied to body tissues to destroy lesions or for dissection (cutting of parts for study)
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Laser surgery
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Surgery using a laser in various dermatologic procedures to remove lesions, scars, tattoos, etc.
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Mohs surgery
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A technique used to excise tumors of the skin by removing fresh tissue, layer by layer, until a tumor-free plane is reached
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Skin grafting
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Transfer of skin from one body site to another to replace skin that has been lost through a burn or injury
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