If a definite diagnosis needs to be made of your skin rash or lesion your dermatologist will recommend a skin biopsy. This is a simple and quick surgical procedure which only takes 5 minutes. Your dermatologist will decide on the most appropriate site to take the biopsy and a local anaesthetic injection will be given to this area. A circular core of skin which measures between 2 to 6mm in diameter is removed and the small wound may be left open or is sutured. The specimen is sent to a specialist dermatopathologist for an expert opinion and the results will be discussed with you when you return for removal of sutures in about one week.