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Brown Flat Mole Removal on Asian Skin? (photo)

I have several brown flat moles on my face. I have consulted specialists about laser removal but most of them recommended surgical procedures. I wasn't born with them, they started appearing when I was around 10-12 years old. What procedure would be best for me? Would it be permanent?

Doctor Answers 2

Mole removal

October 6th, 2014
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Mole removal is a simple procedure. The photos that you posted are difficult to assess if these are small sun spots or moles. If they are moles than removing them may still leave behind the pigment cells and not effectively remove them. Please consult a board certified dermatologist with experience in Asian skin and moles. 

Web reference: http://www.michelegreenmd.com/medical/mole-removal

Michele S. Green, MD
October 6th, 2014

Mole removal

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Mole removal is a simple procedure. The photos that you posted are difficult to assess if these are small sun spots or moles. If they are moles than removing them may still leave behind the pigment cells and not effectively remove them. Please consult a board certified dermatologist with experience in Asian skin and moles. 

Learn more: http://www.michelegreenmd.com/medical/mole-removal

Michele S. Green, MD

Mole removal on Asian skin

October 4th, 2014
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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 "destroy" a mole will alter its look and make it more difficult to observe for precancerous changes in the future. Plus, I'm not convinced that a laser will even give the best cosmetic result.
The majority of flat moles on the face can be removed very easily, and less expensively, using a shave biopsy technique. This typically results in a minimal scar, making the mole much less visible. It also has the added benefit of having tissue to send for microscopic examination, at least for reassurance purposes.

Web reference: http://www.dorsetstreetdermatology.com/general-dermatology/wart-removal/

Mitchell Schwartz, MD

Mitchell Schwartz, MD
South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 12 reviews

October 4th, 2014

Mole removal on Asian skin

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
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 "destroy" a mole will alter its look and make it more difficult to observe for precancerous changes in the future. Plus, I'm not convinced that a laser will even give the best cosmetic result.
The majority of flat moles on the face can be removed very easily, and less expensively, using a shave biopsy technique. This typically results in a minimal scar, making the mole much less visible. It also has the added benefit of having tissue to send for microscopic examination, at least for reassurance purposes.

Learn more: http://www.dorsetstreetdermatology.com/general-dermatology/wart-removal/

Mitchell Schwartz, MD

Mitchell Schwartz, MD
South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 12 reviews

*Treatment results may vary

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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.