Can I get rid of scar from acv mole removal with laser or something else? (Photos)

Question

i removed a mole on my face about 6 months ago using apple cider vinegar, so i applied for about a week or two and it burned the mole off and the burn was healing slowly, it’s been six months now and i thought the little bump would go away but it still hasn’t and now i’m getting worried it’s a little pink-ish bump that blends in with my skin colour and turns white when you press on it. it doesn’t hurt but could i get rid of it with laser scar removal or something else

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Aesthetic Skin in Winnetka and Chicago. This is a great question. Based on your concerns, I recommend combining treatments with a PICO laser and/or CO2 resurfacing lasers in the area of concern to help break down the pigmentation, even out the skin tone, and improve the texture of your skin. I hope this helps and best of luck!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented  scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

It's not uncommon for home treatments like apple cider vinegar to cause skin irritation, burns, and scarring, especially on delicate facial skin. The pinkish bump you're describing may be a hypertrophic scar or possibly a keloid, which are types of raised scars that can form after an injury to the skin.

Here are some options you might consider for treating the scar:

### 1. **Consult a Dermatologist**
   - **Evaluation:** A dermatologist can accurately diagnose the type of scar and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
   - **Treatment Options:** They may suggest various treatments including topical treatments, injections, or procedural options.

### 2. **Topical Treatments**
   - **Silicone Gel or Sheets:** These are often used to flatten and reduce the appearance of scars.
   - **Scar Creams:** Products containing ingredients like onion extract, allantoin, or silicone can sometimes help improve the appearance of scars.

### 3. **Laser Therapy**
   - **Laser Resurfacing:** This can help reduce the appearance of raised scars and improve skin texture and color.
   - **Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL):** Effective for reducing redness and flattening scars.

### 4. **Steroid Injections**
   - **Corticosteroid Injections:** These can help flatten hypertrophic scars and keloids and reduce redness.

### 5. **Microneedling**
   - **Collagen Induction Therapy:** Microneedling can stimulate collagen production and improve the texture and appearance of the scar.

### 6. **Chemical Peels**
   - **Superficial Peels:** These can help improve skin texture and reduce discoloration.

### 7. **Surgical Options**
   - **Scar Revision Surgery:** In some cases, surgical removal of the scar tissue followed by meticulous wound care can improve the appearance of the scar.

### 8. **Other Treatments**
   - **Cryotherapy:** Freezing the scar tissue can sometimes be effective, particularly for keloids.
   - **Pressure Therapy:** Pressure dressings or garments can help flatten raised scars, though this is more commonly used for larger scars.

### Recommendations:
1. **Avoid Further Home Treatments:** Since home treatments can sometimes exacerbate scarring or cause additional damage, it's best to avoid further self-treatment.
2. **Professional Evaluation:** Schedule an appointment with a dermatologist to get a professional assessment and tailored treatment plan.
3. **Sun Protection:** Use sunscreen daily to prevent the scar from darkening, which can make it more noticeable.

Remember, the effectiveness of treatments can vary depending on the individual's skin type, the nature of the scar, and other factors, so professional guidance is crucial.

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

First, from the history and the appearance of the bump, this is likely to be a hypertrophic scar. As such, the simplest treatment, the intralesional injection of a corticosteroid, is one that has stood the test of decades of time for safety and efficacy, which cannot be said for various kinds of here-today-gone tomorrow, expensive light and energy based gizmos (whose hard science to back up their use lags well behind the heavy marketing hype and social media buzz used to hawk them). So, "buyer beware" when considering any of these. Hope this helps you and best of luck going forward.
For other readers of this answer, there are several additional points that are worth noting. For one, clearly are the dangers of self-treatment from advice given by skinfluencers on "Drs". Instagram or Tiktok. One danger is the risk of permanent scarring, as in this case. The second, and perhaps even more problematic, is that a true "mole" (a birthmark or beauty mark)--or nevus-- should not be simply destroyed by anyt modality. At the time of removal, a small amount of tissue should be sent to a laboratory to ensure that the innocent looking mole is nothing more than that and is not harboring a serious problem, such as malignant melanoma. Over the years, I have personally treated patients who had come to see me for a simple cosmetic mole removal that on biopsy proved to be hiding a malignant melanoma. In these cases, the fact that the supposedly benign "mole" specimen was sent off for biopsy proved life-saving. 
Another issue is that the use of destructive methods, whether at-home treatments or in-office laser gizmos, etc. carry the risk for permanent scarring, as in this case. Excision of the mole also carries a risk for the subsequent development of stretch scars and even tram track stitch marks.
Check out Scalpel Sculpting for the cosmetic removal of both elevated and even perfectly flat moles.
It would be wise to consult an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist

Can I get rid of scar from acv mole removal with laser or something else? (Photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Intralesional Corticosteroid Injections Can Shrink & Flatten Hypertrophic Scars

Answer: Intralesional Corticosteroid Injections Can Shrink & Flatten Hypertrophic Scars

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Everything you need to know about Scar Removal

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Can I get rid of scar from acv mole removal with laser or something else? (Photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Intralesional Corticosteroid Injections Can Shrink & Flatten Hypertrophic Scars

Answer: Intralesional Corticosteroid Injections Can Shrink & Flatten Hypertrophic Scars

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Everything you need to know about Scar Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.