I had a mole removed four months ago and have a bad scar, what can I do to improve the appearance? (photos)

Question

My mole was raised and red but small. The PA said she could remove it and her nurse explained to me that in one month I'd have a flat slightly pink scar. It was removed by the shave technique. It's been four months and I have a purple scar that is deeply indented. It looks WAY worse than the mole ever did. I am looking for advice on what I can do to improve the scar? Micro needling? Laser? I am going back to the PA but really want to hear other opinions because my trust in her is shaken.

Kian Karimi, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question. Based on the photo you provided, the scar appears slightly depressed. While this is a common risk of mole removal, I understand it can be unsightly. Considering this is your face, I would recommend seeing a board certified facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon who may be able to perform an excision to remove the scar and use a few stitches to bring the skin back together as a fine line. While microneedling or fractionated lasers are an option to help improve the scar, it would likely require several treatments and may not deliver the result you are looking for.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Mole removal begins with a comprehensive examination and consultation to determine the likelihood of a mole being worrisome. Excisional and incisional biopsies are reserved for suspicious moles. But it’s good news that most moles are not problematic and are only cosmetic, thus leading to the option of scarless or non-surgical mole removal with lasers and RF and plasma. Our office specializes in non-surgical mole removal.

Best,
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian
Realself 100 Surgeon

Best,
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian
Realself 100 Surgeon

Anthony J. Taglienti, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I'm sorry to hear that you're not pleased with your results. It really does take a scar a full year to remodel, so it may continue to improve modestly. However, it appears as though it was shaved too deeply, which is why you have that depression. There are a couple of options. You can try to fill the area will a filler (like juvederm or belotero), however that will likely not improve the appearance - just the contour. You can try laser treatment, like CO2 laser, which will help to promote collagen formation - but the depression will likely remain. Microneedling will help to smooth it out, but it will likely still look depressed. Honestly, your best bet is to have a scar revision, and to have that depressed area removed and closed. Yes, you will have a scar, but if done well it will be a fine line - which, I imagine, is more acceptable than what you have now. Best of luck!

I had a mole removed four months ago and have a bad scar, what can I do to improve the appearance? (photos)

Answers (3)

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