Mole Removal: Q&A

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Raised Mole Removal? (photo)

Can I do laser removal of this mole with a beautician using a laser? It's always been there and never really bugged me too much, but if the costs aren't too high and I'm not trading it for a scar, why not. The mole is slightly bumpy with the center being of a darker pigment. What's the risk of this being malignant?

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by riopua in San Francisco, CA

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Mole removal on the face

The fact that you are having doubts about an aesthetician performing a mole removal should be applauded. I would defer medical procedures to board certified specialists.

Moles: what is the best way to manage?

The average adult has about 40 moles (some have hundreds!) and most of these cause no problems. But when a mole changes its appearance or a decision is made to remove, what's best? Raised moles can sometimes be shaved flat (still may send for a biopsy). Flat moles can be excised and sutured, trading the mole in for a small scar(usually a good trade off). It is important to know the skill and training of whoever is doing this even if it seems relatively "minor"! Do you want a... more

Donn R. Chatham, MD

6 reviews

Louisville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Mole removal

I would highly recommend that if you choose to do a procedure to remove the lesion, you should always have it biopsied prior to.

Sam Naficy, MD

80 reviews

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattleface.com

Laser not the best solution for a raised brown lesion

First, you want to have a tissue sample to be sure what it was. The laser wont do this. Secondly you should have a surgeon or dermatologist with plenty of experience on the face. There are varying techniques, but most likely a precice scalpel removal with local numbing anesthetic should give the best results.

Scalpel Sculpting Is Optimal For Removing Elevated (Bumpy) Moles

Although removing elevated moles by any method from any location is likely to leave a small scar, scalpel sculpting, which involves no deep cutting or stitches has, in my experience, proven quite successful for achieving gratifying aesthetic results while leaving little, or often barely perceptible, scars. The technique, which I have been using for thirty years, involves "scultping the mole" off from the surrounding skin in a tangential fashion (i.e. not cutting deeply into the skin). Deep... more

Laser removal of lesion

Having this mass lasered by an aesthetician is absolutely not the appropriate treatment. First, unless there has been a biopsy, you cannot rule out a skin cancer or dysplastic lesion. Second, you should not assume that a laser doesn't leave a scar, especially in the hands of a non-physician.

Laser mole removal by a beautician

No on both counts: not by a beautician and not with a laser. I feel that it is never appropriate to use a laser as your primary treatment for removing a mole. Regardless of how "benign" a mole may appear, a biopsy may still reveal it to be atypical. There are many ways to surgically remove a mole with a minimal scar and have tissue to send for microscopic examination which is the only way to ensure that it was benign. Using a laser to improve the appearance of a mole will alter its look and... more

Mole removals should be performed by experts

Um, no. You should not have someone called a "beautician" remove this, and absolutely not with a laser. First, beauticians aren't doctors or experienced with moles, what they are, and what is benign vs. malignant. Second, lasers can't remove moles and can leave a large divet in the face. So, no, don't do this, unless you do want to trade it for a scar, and possibly worse. See a doctor.