Do I need a referral letter for a skin biopsy?
No. You can walk in to any branch, or message us first on WhatsApp. If you already have a referral letter or a hospital appointment, bring it — it helps the doctor understand what has already been considered.
How long does the visit take?
Most biopsies are done within 30 to 60 minutes from the time the doctor sees you, including consent, anaesthesia, the procedure itself and dressing. You walk out the same visit.
Does a skin biopsy hurt?
The area is fully numbed with local anaesthetic first. The injection stings briefly; after that most patients feel pressure rather than pain. Mild soreness for a day or two afterwards is normal and settles with simple painkillers.
How long until I get the result?
Histopathology reports typically take 7 to 14 working days from the lab, so plan for around two to three weeks. We do not give a same-day result, and any clinic that promises one is not sending your tissue to a laboratory. A doctor will call you to explain the report and you receive a copy.
How much does a skin biopsy cost?
RM 500 for a single site, all in. That covers the consultation, the procedure, local anaesthesia, closure and dressing, the histopathology laboratory fee, and the doctor explaining the result to you. Each additional lesion sampled in the same visit is RM 250, and your total for the visit is capped at RM 1,000 no matter how many lesions are sampled. Larger excisions or lesions needing complex closure are priced separately and quoted before anything begins.
Can a doctor tell what it is from a photo?
No, and we will not pretend otherwise. A photo helps us decide how urgently you should be seen and which branch to send you to. Diagnosis needs an examination, and confirmation needs tissue.
Will there be a scar?
Any biopsy leaves a mark. A punch biopsy usually leaves a small round scar a few millimetres across, closed with one or two stitches. An excision leaves a fine line, closed along natural skin tension lines. Scars typically fade over six to twelve months.
Is a skin biopsy covered by insurance or my company panel?
We are on panel with a number of Malaysian insurers and corporate providers. Coverage differs by policy and by branch, and diagnostic procedures are often treated differently from cosmetic ones. Bring your card and our team will check eligibility before anything starts.
What happens if the result is abnormal?
You will hear it from a doctor, by phone, not by text. We explain what the report says in plain language, give you a copy, and arrange a specialist referral with your report and clinical photographs already prepared, so you are not starting from zero.
Can you biopsy a lesion on my face?
Often yes, but not always. Lesions on the eyelid, lip margin, tip of the nose, ear cartilage, fingers and genital skin are referred rather than done in a GP setting. The doctor will tell you honestly at the examination.
I take blood thinners. Can I still have a biopsy?
Usually yes, for small biopsies, and usually without stopping your medication — but tell the doctor before the procedure and bring your medication list. Never stop a blood thinner on your own.
