Hi when did shave removal for a mole become available?i had a raised mole on my leg removed 13 years ago and I wasn't given the option of shave removal.it was removed by excision and to be honest the scar is very hypopigmented and noticeable.i am now looking for another mole removed.
August 23, 2017
Answer: Shave removal isn't always the best option Thank you for your question. I understand that you are disappointed with the scar left behind from an excision of your mole, many patients are. Shave removal is certainly an option, however one must understand why it is not recommended. Moles that are raised and longstanding often have melanocytes (the cells that make up moles) that are deeper in the skin. These cells are left behind when your physician shaves off the top of the mole. When this happens, your mole has the potential to re-grow. When it does and the mole is growing through a the scar, the pigment pattern is atypical and can be easily confused by your Dermatologist as a potentially dangerous mole. In this case you may be advised to excise the mole at a later date. Secondly, moles that are shave removed have a tendency to make raised scars that are thicker and more difficult to remove than the original mole itself. It is for these reasons that shave removal is not normally recommended by your Dermatologist.
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August 23, 2017
Answer: Shave removal isn't always the best option Thank you for your question. I understand that you are disappointed with the scar left behind from an excision of your mole, many patients are. Shave removal is certainly an option, however one must understand why it is not recommended. Moles that are raised and longstanding often have melanocytes (the cells that make up moles) that are deeper in the skin. These cells are left behind when your physician shaves off the top of the mole. When this happens, your mole has the potential to re-grow. When it does and the mole is growing through a the scar, the pigment pattern is atypical and can be easily confused by your Dermatologist as a potentially dangerous mole. In this case you may be advised to excise the mole at a later date. Secondly, moles that are shave removed have a tendency to make raised scars that are thicker and more difficult to remove than the original mole itself. It is for these reasons that shave removal is not normally recommended by your Dermatologist.
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