I'm 18 yrs old, Permanent Removal Options for Hairy Nevus Birthmark? (photo)

Question

Since birth, I've had a hairy nevus birthmark on my left cheek. It is relatively small, about an inch long and half an inch wide. I'm now 18 and I'm interested in finding a permanent way to remove or lighten it. I've been to one medical centre, and was told that my birthmark/mole was too deeply rooted to excise, especially ebcause of its placement on my cheek. I would like a second opinion, but there are not many places to go where I live. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

If you desire removal, a full thickness excision with scar improvement techniques would suffice in the treatment. Raffy Karamanoukian Los Angeles

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

I would recommend you see a plastic surgeon for the options to remove the hairy nevus. It can be removed, but has to be removed full thickness and that will leave a scar on your cheek. Unfortunately the long axis of the nevus is vertically oriented which would put the scar against the natural lines of the face. I may recommend a serial excision , i.e multiple small excisions fron=m the center to make it smaller and thus the final scar will be smaller.

Mitchell Schwartz, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Your birthmark is not too deep to excise. In fact, it can easily be permanently removed by doing a full thickness skin excision. The area is then sutured using both dissolving and non-dissolving sutures to give the best cosmetic result. All methods of surgery will leave a scar but the trick is to minimize the scar using the proper technique. Contrary to the advice given below from a plastic surgeon suggesting you only see a plastic surgeon, I recommend you look for a physician who is very experienced in cosmetic surgery and with whom you are comfortable.

I'm 18 yrs old, Permanent Removal Options for Hairy Nevus Birthmark? (photo)

Answers (3)

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