It involves the use of an electrical current to remove or coagulate tissue, making it a versatile tool for various treatments and procedures.

Electrocautery is primarily used for the following purposes:

1. Lesion Removal: Electrocautery is employed to remove benign skin lesions such as warts, skin tags, moles, and seborrheic keratoses. The electrical current is applied to the lesion, causing controlled tissue destruction and effectively removing the growth.

2. Hemostasis: Doctor use electrocautery to stop bleeding during procedures such as mole removal or skin biopsies. The electrical current coagulates blood vessels, reducing bleeding and ensuring a cleaner surgical field.

3. Treatment of Telangiectasias: Telangiectasias are small dilated blood vessels near the surface of the skin, commonly referred to as spider veins. Electrocautery can be used to treat these blood vessels by applying an electrical current to close them off, leading to their eventual disappearance.

4. Electrosurgical Excision: In certain cases, doctors may use electrocautery for surgical excision of skin cancer or other lesions. It allows for precise tissue removal and effective control of bleeding.

The procedure involves applying a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area to minimize discomfort. The doctor then uses a specialized hand-held device with an electrode that delivers the electrical current. The device can be in the form of a pen-like instrument or a wire loop.