I've had a mole removed only two days ago, and aside from parts of it that are slightly scabby there is dark pigmentation left over in the shape of the original mole. I know the area will likely always be pigmented darker than my skin tone, but should I expect the current pigmentation to lighten more during the healing process, or is this simply what I am permanently left with?
June 20, 2011
Answer: Mole removal
I believe moles should be removed full thickness, and should not be shaved. You seem to have the mole shaved, hoefully it was sent for examination by a pathologist.
For your present stuation you need local wound care for the wound to heal completely. Then see a board certified plastic surgeon for examination and options of cmplete removal.
Helpful
June 20, 2011
Answer: Mole removal
I believe moles should be removed full thickness, and should not be shaved. You seem to have the mole shaved, hoefully it was sent for examination by a pathologist.
For your present stuation you need local wound care for the wound to heal completely. Then see a board certified plastic surgeon for examination and options of cmplete removal.
Helpful
June 20, 2011
Answer: What to do about hyperpigmentation after mole removal
It appears from your photo that the mole was removed by shaving it off the surface of the skin. Several things to mention here:
1. to minimize the pigmentation, make sure you keep the area out of the sun. Sun exposure will darken the post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
2. If the area is still crusted, you would want to use an antibiotic ointment on the wound because a dry wound heals slower and worse than a moist wound. Make sure you don't have any allergies to over the counter antiobiotic ointments as adding an allergic reaction to a wound will also make the wound worse.
3. If a chemical cautery like Monsel's solution (ferric subsulfate) was used to stop the bleeding when the mole was removed, there may be residual pigmentation just from that.
In general you can expect the wound to get lighter as it heals. However, if there is a deeper component to the mole that was left in the skin after removal, it may also recur as a dark spot. Usually if moles are removed, they should be removed in their entirety. That means an excision including the deeper component and sutures to close the wound.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
June 20, 2011
Answer: What to do about hyperpigmentation after mole removal
It appears from your photo that the mole was removed by shaving it off the surface of the skin. Several things to mention here:
1. to minimize the pigmentation, make sure you keep the area out of the sun. Sun exposure will darken the post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
2. If the area is still crusted, you would want to use an antibiotic ointment on the wound because a dry wound heals slower and worse than a moist wound. Make sure you don't have any allergies to over the counter antiobiotic ointments as adding an allergic reaction to a wound will also make the wound worse.
3. If a chemical cautery like Monsel's solution (ferric subsulfate) was used to stop the bleeding when the mole was removed, there may be residual pigmentation just from that.
In general you can expect the wound to get lighter as it heals. However, if there is a deeper component to the mole that was left in the skin after removal, it may also recur as a dark spot. Usually if moles are removed, they should be removed in their entirety. That means an excision including the deeper component and sutures to close the wound.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful