Dr Shainhouse may need to perform a skin biopsy in order to help diagnose a specific lesion or skin condition. At SkinSafe Dermatology in Beverly Hills, skin biopsies involve removing a small piece of skin, in order to further evaluate the cells. It may be performed to diagnose a rash, explain the cause for hair loss, or to rule out skin cancer. The procedure only takes a few minutes, and is performed in the office with local anesthetic, while you are awake. Sometimes the site will require a stitch. It can take up to 2 weeks to get the results from the dermatopathologist.