Surgical treatment is performed under a local anaesthetic, delivered by an injection into the skin. Removal of the affected area can be performed via a number of procedures.:

• Cutting out and stitching
• Curetting; a sharp instrument scrapes out the area
• Biopsy; a small piece of skin is taken for diagnosis
• Freezing; by the use of liquid nitrogen spray

Pathology testing is conducted on the removed skin to confirm the diagnosis and/or the adequacy of treatment. Freezing is used for treatment of sun spots and some skin cancers in their early stages. Local anaesthetic is often not needed for this procedure.