What are the advantages of laser mole removal?
Laser mole removal/removal is a quick procedure that is well tolerated by patients. The biggest advantage is that a perfect aesthetic appearance is achieved.
Depending on the type of mole to be removed, different lasers can be used. The experience of the doctor and the chosen laser determine how effective the mole removal will be. Of all the methods used to remove moles, laser removal has the best patient feedback. The aesthetic result is the most important when removing moles from the face. The procedure is painless (local anaesthesia is used), quick and causes minimal discomfort. Laser treatments do not restrict the patient’s life – frequent dressings are not required, local disinfection is sufficient, and there is no need to take additional painkillers after the procedure. You can go to work or home the same day.
How is laser mole removal performed? What is the procedure like?
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthesia – the doctor injects a topical anaesthetic before the mole removal/removal procedure. The medication is effective for half an hour to 3 hours. The procedure leaves a wound that heals in 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the size and location of the removed mole. After the mole removal procedure, a bandage is applied and the doctor writes a prescription for an ointment to be applied at home while the wound heals. This prevents infection and ensures a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing appearance and helps prevent scarring. Depending on the size and location of the mole, the procedure takes 10 to 15 minutes and several moles can be removed in one visit.
The laser, which is also used to remove moles or other skin growths, works by evaporating water from the cells. This means that the water evaporates from the affected cells and the cells are destroyed, while the surrounding tissues remain intact. It is true that in some cases, a post-treatment wound caused by heat exposure to the skin may appear deeper than it actually is, but after a few days, everything returns to normal and the skin defect heals, leaving only a small patch. The surgical laser used for mole removal (and other soft tissue procedures) is characterised by its precision and is the best choice for this type of procedure today.
Can I have laser mole removal on my face and neck?
Laser mole removal is particularly recommended for the face and neck, where the cosmetic appearance and the result after removal are very important, as laser mole removal leaves almost no cosmetic defects, ensures faster healing and a better aesthetic result.
Laser nevus removal and healing.
After laser mole removal and for the best cosmetic result while the wound is healing, it is recommended to:
- Avoid ultraviolet sun exposure (and when it is unavoidable, use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, preferably SPF50). If the patient is sunbathing during the healing process, there is a higher chance of post-inflammatory pigmentation, which can make the area where the procedure was performed more noticeable;
- Do not go to sunbeds, saunas, swimming pools, do not do active sports (to prevent infection and injury).
During the healing process, a dry scab forms on the wound, which acts as a natural bandage to prevent infection. This scab should not be scratched or otherwise removed – it should be allowed to fall off. The wound is healing well and there are no infectious (or other) complications with the disinfection and dressing procedures prescribed by the doctor. Once the wound has healed, redness remains and it sometimes takes 1 to 2 months for the skin to regain its final appearance after the procedure. Once the initial scab has subsided, if there is an increased risk of scar formation, special scar treatment creams can be applied. The main products recommended for the treatment of scars following laser mole removal are:
- Special purpose creams with silicone, etc.
- Special silicone patches
Can all moles be removed by laser?
When a patient applies for mole removal, during the consultation the doctor carefully examines the mole and selects the most appropriate removal method. If the mole is unchanged and there are no signs of atypia after evaluation with a dermatoscope or siascope, medical removal is not necessary. In this case, the mole is only removed if the patient so requests. Usually for aesthetic reasons or inconvenience. The method of removal of a particular mole is selected individually in each case. However, even unchanged moles are recommended for removal if they are frequently traumatised by clothing, jewellery, obstructed by shaving, etc.
In most cases, moles are removed using a laser, preceded by the injection of topical painkillers. Laser removal of moles is a quick procedure, the wound heals faster than surgical removal, there are no stitches and the aesthetic result is better. In addition, there is a significantly lower chance of complications.
Removal of nevus in children
Children can be born with moles. If a parent or a parent has a large number of moles, there is a good chance that the child will also have them. Usually, moles do not cause pain in children. However, some may ulcerate or become irritated, causing discomfort. Surgical or laser mole removal is usually used.
Congenital moles have a higher risk of becoming enlarged, especially if they are located in open areas of the body that are easily exposed to sunlight. Often, as a child grows, congenital moles become not only a health problem but also an aesthetic problem, as some moles grow larger over time. Therefore, mole removal for aesthetic reasons, both in children and adults, is usually performed from the face. As a child grows, the skin stretches, the surface area of the body increases, and moles also grow. Their formation is influenced by heredity and sun exposure. It is also normal for moles on a child’s skin to darken or lighten, and for some to disappear. These changes are not to be worried about and are rarely signs of melanoma. In fact, melanoma is rare in young children. Nevertheless, moles should sometimes be checked by a dermatologist, as early diagnosis of melanoma is a highly treatable disease.
A mole present in a child should be shown to a dermatologist if:
- The nevus is growing or is simply very large. It is normal for a mole to grow at the same rate as the child. It is also natural for a child’s mole to darken or lighten. But if the mole is growing fast (or changing), a dermatologist should be consulted. A mole can also be worrying if it looks different from your child’s other moles.
- A mole changes shape and colour. It is important to check for redness of the skin around the mole and for moles with multiple colours.
- Bleeding mole. A bleeding mole can become obstructed and thus mechanically damaged. However, if a mole is bleeding for no reason, it should be checked. A mole that looks like an open ulcer is also a concern.
- The child has a large number of moles. In this case, a mole examination is also recommended.
- If your child’s mole is very large or interferes with normal function or development, the mole can be removed surgically. Moles that are discoloured or have a higher chance of becoming malignant can only be removed surgically.
This simple operation can be performed on children of any age at our centres in Vilnius and Kaunas. It is sometimes followed by the administration of painkillers and stretching medication. Laser mole removal is usually performed for aesthetic reasons or when moles are mechanically traumatised. Often in children and adolescents, large moles are also removed from the face for psychological reasons.
At the Laser Dermatology Centre in Vilnius and Klaipėda, moles can be removed by surgery, laser, electrodestruction and nitrogen. Removal of moles in children is carried out at the clinic with and without a referral, and consultations can be purchased online at a reduced price.
What are the other methods of mole removal?
If a doctor’s examination reveals an atypical (abnormal) mole, surgical treatment and histological examination of the mole are recommended. An atypical mole occupies an intermediate position between a benign mole and a melanoma, and it is difficult to predict the further dynamics of an atypical mole in a given case. Therefore, in order to avoid possible future malignancy, the doctor may recommend surgical removal of atypical nevi. Atypical moles are not removed by laser or electrodestruction, as these procedures usually do not allow the tissue to be removed for histological examination. It is this examination that definitively confirms the diagnosis and allows a reliable differentiation of an atypical mole from an early stage melanoma and an assessment of the radical removal of the mass. Moles are also often removed surgically in cases where there is a likelihood of recurrence after laser destruction. However, there may be some stretching and pain after surgery, which sometimes requires the use of painkillers.
Surgical removal of a mole (surgery) is performed under local anaesthesia. Painkillers are injected before the operation and last for about 3 hours. The operation itself takes up to 1 hour (depending on the size and location of the mole). As it is difficult to sew a round incision neatly, an ‘eye’ shaped incision is usually made, which results in a scar that is larger than the original mole. Once the mole has been removed, the skin is sutured and a sterile dressing is applied. Dressings with disinfectant are performed daily until the stitches are removed. The stitches are removed 10 to 12 days after surgery. By this time, the histological examination of the mole has already been completed, so that the patient’s future treatment and follow-up tactics are definitively known on the day of suture removal. Once the stitches have been removed and the post-operative wound has fully healed, measures to prevent scarring can be applied. The type of scar also depends on the area of the body where the mole was removed – e.g. the shoulders, the back are more prone to stretching of the skin, and scars are more noticeable in these areas.
An alternative method is to remove the raised part of the mole with a scalpel at the surface of the skin, while the resulting wound is treated with a laser or electric knife. Of course, the procedure is preceded by the injection of a topical anaesthetic. The procedure is followed by the formation of a scab, which, as with laser mole removal, should fall off spontaneously after a few days. Wound care and healing are similar, regardless of the mole removal method chosen. If the doctor is suspicious of the mole, the scalpel removal of the raised part of the mole may be sent for histological examination of the skin. This procedure is called a ‘family biopsy’.
Online shops are full of various products and kits for removing moles at home. However, it is advisable not to risk your health by relying on these questionable products. There are known examples of patients removing malignant tumours on their own (thinking that they are removing a non-threatening growth) and thus worsening the outcome of further treatment. If you are concerned about your moles or are considering mole removal, do not hesitate to consult our doctors who will assess your skin condition and select the most appropriate mole removal method to ensure eye-pleasing results.
All of these mole removal methods are available at our centres in Vilnius and Klaipėda. Our doctors will recommend the most suitable mole removal method for the best result. You can find out the price of the procedure in our price list.
Online shops are full of various tools and kits for home mole removal, so it is better not to risk your health and trust these questionable products. There are painful examples of patients removing malignant tumours on their own (thinking that they are removing a non-threatening growth) and thus worsening the outcome of further treatment. If you are concerned about your moles, if you are considering mole removal, do not hesitate to consult our doctors who will assess your skin condition and select the most appropriate mole removal method that will ensure eye-pleasing results.
All of the mole removal methods described above are available at our centres in Vilnius and Klaipėda. Our doctors will recommend the most suitable.
Photographs of the removal of the nevus (before and after)
