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I Have a Black Mole (Birthmark) I Want to Get Removed. What Are my Options?

asked 11 months ago by chickenlittle
Latest answer by Lisa Benest, MD
Question viewed 575 times
Tags: male, African American, birthmarks, options

Is laser removal a possibility?

6 answers to I Have a Black Mole (Birthmark) I Want to Get Removed. What Are my Options?

+1

Recommend leaving it alone

To fully remove this mole, you would need to cut it out entirely, and then stitch the two edges together. The scar would be about twice as long as the mole itself. In my opinion, the risk of creating a scar which may look worse than the mole itself is great enough that I would recommend leaving the mole. Laser will not work.
Lisa Benest, MD

Burbank Dermatologist
+1

Mole removal

Mole removal is best accomplished by surgical removal, rather than laser for both cosmetic and medical reasons because with surgery, a biopsy is obtained. However, in the central cheek there should always be concern about the cosmetic outcome particularly in African Americans where keloid formation may be a hereditary problem, and subsequent treatment of the keloid may be problematic due to pigmentary issues.
Stephen Mandy, MD

Miami Dermatologist
+1

Mole removal

The options depend on the size of the mole and location. Sometimes, a mole can be shaved tangentially (horizontally), other times a mole may need to be fully excised -- skillfully, to camoflauge the results of the scar. In any event, it is very important to make sure that the mole is biopsied and sent to a pathology lab to make sure that it is benign.
Deborah Sarnoff, MD

New York Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Dark moles can be lightened up with several gentle electrofulgeration sessions.

There is no doubt that dark uniform moles are annoying and cause patients to be upset with their appearance and have self confidence problems. Several gentle electrofulguration treatments can lighten them up enough to improve the appearance and is easy to do for roughly $175 per session per mole, freckle, or age spot. Yes they will recur in time, but hopefully it may be several yrs before you have to do it again. Total excison with dermabrasions are always a more permanent... more
David Hansen, MD

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Birthmark "moles" are often located deep into the skin and require surgery to remove them.

Birthmark "moles" are often located deep into the skin and require surgery to remove them. Laser surgery cannot do this without leaving a huge scar. In most cases surgical removal leaves a fine line scar which is less noticeable than the mole.
William Coleman III, MD

Metairie Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Laser is not a good idea for mole (nevus) removal

There at least two good reasons for this: 1. Moles usually have a superficial and deep component. Lasers can either remove pigment or vaporize tissue to remove something. So if there is a deep component to this mole, either the vaporizing laser will not remove it completely or it will leave a crater if complete removal is attempted. If there is incomplete removal, the mole can recur and be irregularly pigmented. 2. If you use a laser to remove pigment only, you may... more
Emily Altman, MD

Short Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

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