How to make pigmentation less noticeable after mole shave off? (Photo)

Question

Hi, I had a mole removal by shave off technique two years ago. There is still some redness and I’m not sure what to do to make it less noticeable… I did one treatment with a laser pigmentation and it got lighter. Should I continue other laser treatments or should I get it removed by excision? I don’t want to have a big scar. Thank you.

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

Just as there can be post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after surgery, acne,  injury or infection, there can also be post-inflammatory erythema (redness), which seems to be the case here. I have personally had success using professionally performed microneedling coupled with redness reducers, such as topical prescription oxymetazoline and tranexamic acid. The treatment is simple, quick and relatively inexpensive, especially for a small area such as this appears to be. Hope this helps, and best of luck.

Duncan MacKenzie, MBBS, MD, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Moles have pigment at different depths so shaving them will often leave some pigment. Overtime this may get more noticeable. Laser will help but will only penetrate to a defined depth until it too leaves a scar. The only way to be certain of no pigment is to excise it. You have to decide whether the existing pigment or the scar are more troubling for you.

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