It’s a must-read before getting them removed
Tempted to remove a few moles from your face or body? You may think that mole removal is simple, however it’s a treatment that should be taken very seriously as it can't just be erased with skin care; it's something that could require surgical excision. We picked the brains of Sandra Sostres, National Clinical Manager of Cynosure, for her thoughts on mole removal - here are four things you should know if you're considering a mole removal procedure.
1 / Think twice before removing your moles
Unlike removing unwanted hair from your body, mole removal can affect your overall health in the long-run. “When we remove a mole with laser, we remove the colour of the mole, which means we remove any evidence for further diagnostic,” says Sostres. “Once the colour is removed, you cannot notice changes in colour or shape of the mole. These are the signs the doctors are looking for when they assess if the mole is benign or not.”
2 / Doctors prefer to utilise day surgery for flat mole removal
Removing a mole isn’t as simple as going for a laser facial, it may require a cosmetic mole removal procedure where local anaesthetic is administered. “Doctors prefer to remove the mole surgically [so] they can send it to a pathology [lab] for testing,” says Sostres. If you're looking for a mole removal method with minimal scarring, you may want to consider the following: “radiosurgery devices such as the Pelleve are safer to use than laser to remove a mole as the mole is excised with no scar. This is also a safer option for darker skin clients.”
3 / However, laser treatments can still remove moles
While it’s not as common as a day surgery, laser mole removal is a possible option (depending on the type of mole), and best of all, there's minimal discomfort. “Ablative lasers can be used to remove raised moles,” explains Sostres. “However, clients with darker skin colour will not be suitable for the laser treatment and they will need to have their mole removed surgically.”
4 / You may need more than one session to remove the mole
Unfortunately, you may need several mole removal treatments before your mole completely disappears. “A few sessions might be necessary to remove a mole with the laser,” explains Sostres. “It really depends on how big and raised the mole is.”
Chat to a dermatologist or skin doctor to determine which procedure is right for you.
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Have you had your moles removed before? What treatment option did you go with? Tell us in the comments below.
Main image credit: Getty
Iantha is BEAUTYcrew's Beauty Editor, and has been part of the team since the site launched in 2016. Besides pinky-nude nail polish and wispy false lashes, she has a healthy obsession with face masks and skin care ingredients. Her previous work can be found in Virgin Australia Voyeur, Women's Health, and SHOP Til You Drop.
