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Does Laser Mole Removal Work?

asked 1 year ago by Wakefield in Wakefield, RI
Latest answer by Corey L. Hartman, MD
Question viewed 1,679 times
Tags: back, male, raised, removal

I have a bunch of moles on my back that I would Like to have removed. A couple of them are raised and a bunch of them are flat. I spend a lot of time out side in the sun without a shirt on. My goal is to have them removed with little to no scaring and for the spot to have the same skin tone as the rest of my skin.

9 answers to Does Laser Mole Removal Work?

Moles are not created equal

No, lasers are not an effective or wise way to remove moles. I find the word mole used by many patients to describe true moles, skin tags, seborrheic keratoses, etc. While lasers are a means to remove some of these benign lesions, the issue is determining which lesions are benign and which ones may be more problematic. You would never want to remove a lesion with a laser, and not have a pathological assessment in case it is a growth that has some malignant potential or... more

Corey L. Hartman, MD
Birmingham Dermatologic Surgeon

Lasers for Mole Removal

I feel that lasers are a bad method of mole removal for two reasons. 1. The scars that remains after laser treatment are at least as noticeable as those which results from shave removals. Sometimes they are worse. 2. Laser removal will destroy the mole and there will be no tissue left to have microscopically examined to make certain it was benign. This would delay a second surgical procedure that would be necessary for a precancerous or cancerous mole. It is also... more

Mitchell Schwartz, MD
South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon

dorsetstreetdermatology.com

Excision and shaving for back 'moles' results in less scar than a laser

Laser mole removal works by essentially burning off the mole. This will result in a visible white scar as its replacement...effective but not scarless. The least scarring method for a true mole removal would be excision. This will result in the least amount of scar but there will be a scar especially on the thick skin of one's back. If the lesion is not a mole but a more flat problem like actinic keratosis, shaving with a scalpel can leave very minimal scarring. (much less than that of a more

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

Mole on the back may be "shaved" for best cosmetic result

Pigmented moles should never be treated in a way that does not allow biopsy, as there is always a chance that there could be some abnormal cells in them that need more than cosmetic consideration, ( they may have malignant or pre-malignant characteristics). Because "moles", medically known as nevi, originate deeply in the skin, there will always be some knid of "scar". The skin on the back is quite thick, and "full thickness" excisions often heal in an... more

Debra Irizarry, MD
Crestone Plastic Surgeon

Shave removal is best for benign moles

You first need to see your dermatologist to determine if any of your moles have the potential to be worrisome. If they are all considered benign and cosmetic, then shave removal would probably be your best bet. Remember that there will always be a small chance or recurrence. This also generally gives the best cosmetic appearance after removal.

Barry Resnik, MD
Miami Dermatologist

Laser is not a good idea for mole removal

Lasers can be used for mole removal in two ways: removing the pigment, which still leaves the mole intact and does not reduce the danger of the effect of sun exposure on that mole, and burning the mole off the skin, which would leave an unsightly scar. In addition, moles partially removed by laser look atypical both clinically and under the microscope, so if a mole needs to be removed later, it would be difficult for a pathologist to tell the difference between a mole that was... more

Emily Altman, MD
Short Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

Start with a Dermatologist for Mole Removal

Unfortunately, you are a prime candidate for skin cancer. Your first goal should be to determine that none of these are suspicious and the best person to evaluate this is a Board-certified Dermatologist.

Joseph Campanelli, MD
Minneapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon

Lasers for mole removal

A laser can remove pigment (color) from a skin lesion, but it won't make a raised lesion flat, and it won't allow for any type of diagnosis. You mention that you spend a great deal of time in the sun without a shirt, which puts you at greater risk of developing a skin cancer on your back--you should have a dermatologist or plastic surgeon evaluate and follow you, and remove only the lesions which are questionable (and, yes, you will have scars from the excisions). more

Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Best way to get rid of Back Moles

Regarding: "Does Laser Mole Removal Work? I have a bunch of moles on my back that I would Like to have removed. A couple of them are raised and a bunch of them are flat. I spend a lot of time out side in the sun without a shirt on. My goal is to have them removed with little to no scaring and for the spot to have the same skin tone as the rest of my skin." A "mole" is NOT a "mole", is NOT a "mole". Dermatologists and Plastic surgeons... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

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