Removing Moles with Laser Cosmetic Surgery

Moles are small marks that can appear anywhere on your skin. Usually brown in color, they can be found alone or in groups. It is possible, however, for moles to be dark blue, black, or a pinkish flesh color. In addition, they can be flat, raised, or round and come in a variety of colors.

Moles are common. In fact, everyone has at least a few somewhere on his or her body. In fact, researchers believe that the moles you will have are determined before you are ever born. During the first 20 years of your life, these moles begin to appear. Changes in hormone levels from life events such as puberty and pregnancy can cause the appearance of moles to change by becoming larger or darker.

Most moles last about 50 years before they begin to fade away on their own. Some will disappear completely on their own, while others may become lighter. Moles with stalks may even drop off.

The Cause of Moles

Researchers believe that the number of moles on your body is determined by genetics. Yet, no one is certain what causes them to appear. In addition, there is no known method of preventing them from appearing, though many believe exposure to the sun causes them to develop. Moles are rarely cancerous. But, if you have one that changes suddenly or is unusual in appearance, it is a good idea to have it examined by a specialist.

Laser Treatment

Sometimes, moles are removed by numbing the skin and removing the grown with scissors or with a scalpel. When this is done, it is left to heal on its own and results in a flat scar. In other cases where the mole needs to be completely destroyed, the full thickness of the skin needs to be removed. This can result in a very noticeable scar that can even leave the scarred area looking thin and weak. A more desirable alternative that does not result in scarring and that is far less painful is laser mole removal.

Laser removal is the simplest method for getting rid of troublesome moles. For the most part, it is not necessary to have an anesthetic in order to remove a mole with laser treatment. Some patients report feeling a slight tingling when the laser pulses or a feeling as if they are being snapped by a rubber band.

To remove the mole, the laser seals the blood vessels and evaporates the tissue that is removed. Therefore, it is not necessary to cut the skin or to use sutures. In addition, laser removal of scars is less likely to create scarring like other forms of mole removal.

After the laser surgery is complete, a scab forms in the area where the mole once was. This scab usually takes about two weeks to fall off on its own. At this time, there may be a slight redness where the scab was. This redness will also go away on its own.

Deciding if Laser Mole Removal is Right For You

If you have an unwanted mole, it might be a good idea to undergo laser mole removal surgery. Keep in mind, however, that laser mole removal is fairly expensive and may not be covered by insurance if you are doing it for purely cosmetic reasons. In addition, it may take several sessions to get the mole completely removed.

There are a few reasons for which insurance may cover the laser removal of a mole. If, for instance, the mole is irritated by clothing or is in an area where it is hurt by combing your hair or shaving, it may be covered by your insurance. Similarly, if your mole becomes malignant melanoma, it needs to be removed in order to prevent it from forming into skin cancer. Signs of problematic moles are those that are shaped irregularly, have irregular pigmentation, or are larger than a pencil eraser.

Ultimately, the decision to remove a mole that is not a health concern is left to you. Keep in mind that some moles are considered to be quite attractive and, as such, are referred to as beauty marks. Therefore, it is up to you if you want to embrace your mole or do away with it through lazer cosmetic surgery.