Mole Removal Q&A
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What Are The Best Aftercare Practices Post Mole Removal?
asked 9 months ago by BelleFleur in Sydney
Latest answer by Gary Goldenberg, MD
Question viewed 257 times
Tags: aftercare, healing
I have just had quite a few moles removed from my back and trunk (maybe about 25?. They were seen by a dermatologist who felt there was nothing to worry about and then removed by a cosmetic surgeon who shaved some and used ablative laser for the rest. I am trying to minimise scarring and infection and am taking a week off work and staying home. Is there any particular care I should take with the wounds (including showering etc) and how long should I keep them covered for?
4 answers to What Are The Best Aftercare Practices Post Mole Removal?
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Mole removal aftercare
Most areas can be treated with petrolatum twice daily for 2 weeks for best results. If there is crusting and oozing, you may want to use bacitracin to decrease any superficial skin infection.
Gary Goldenberg, MD
New York Dermatologist
New York Dermatologist
+1
Shaving and lasering of moles requires post care similar to laser resurfacing
You will need to clean these areas like a resurfacing. It will require frequent cleaning with a gentle cleanser, followed by vinegar and water rinses. I have a laser resurfacing page that is quite informative for the person undergoing a laser resurfacing procedure. Below is a video to illustate our answer better. We have other informative videos and information on our website and a link is included to help you find us.
see video
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Removing Lesions
Any mole/lesion that a derm recommeds to be excised should be taken out by making a small incision and sent off to a pathologist. This way you can determine if it had any pre-cancerous features. You will leave with a few stiches depending on the size of lesion that was removed. Your stiches will be removed or dissolve and then you can start a scar cream such as Mederma or New Gel. These scars will appear to be slightly noticable or invisable if cared for...
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+1
Moles should never be removed by a laser
Despite the fact that your moles were "seen by a dermatologist" it is still never appropriate to use a laser as your primary treatment for removing a mole. This has been stated many times in this forum. Regardless of how "benign" a mole may appear, a biopsy may still reveal it to be atypical (pre-cancerous or even skin cancer). Using a laser to improve the appearance of a mole will alter its look and make it more difficult to observe for cancerous changes in the future....
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