Laser mole removal

Dr. Vincent Richer

Once a thorough physical exam (and if needed a biopsy) has excluded skin cancer, many of our patients are left wondering what can be done to reduce the appearance or remove a mole, especially when it is situated on a visible body part or raised. Though moles can be removed for cosmetic purposes with traditional surgery using a scalpel, a laser can be used to very precisely vaporize it after sampling. Laser therapy is especially suitable on facial moles.

What is the technology behind ablative laser?

Ablative lasers afford us more precision than other treatment options. When the laser comes into contact with the skin, it vaporizes a very thin, precise layer on top of the mole and does not damage the surrounding tissue. After a biopsy of the top portion of the mole has been taken, laser exposure is repeated until the mole is level with neighbouring skin, resulting in an improved cosmetic appearance.

Am I a candidate for CO 2 mole removal?

Moles that catch on clothing, are bumpy or unsightly are often well-suited for cosmetic removal. Ablative laser is not suitable to treat suspicious moles. Patients with abnormal scars (including keloids) or darker skin types must be especially cautious when considering laser treatment. A cosmetic consultation in our office will allow our dermatologists to determine the best tailored approach for you.

What to expect on the day of your treatment

On the day of your treatment, consent forms will be reviewed and signed, and photos will be taken for documentation. In the treatment room, the area will be cleansed and local anesthetic will be injected to numb the mole (much like at the dentist’s office). This is the only discomfort during the procedure. Your eyes will be shielded with special eyeshield goggles while the laser is targeted on the skin. Thanks to the local anesthetic, this is painless. A smoke evacuator will be used during the procedure and it is slightly noisy, not unlike the sound of a vacuum cleaner – this is used to remove smoke and noxious odors produced during the laser treatment. You be will offered to return for a follow-up appointment 6-8 weeks after your treatment, or if it is more convenient for you a phone appointment can be scheduled.

Downtime & Recovery

The treated area is expected to heal within 4-10 days depending on its size. Healing starts with a small crust or scab – it is important that you keep the area hydrated with either Aquaphor or Vaseline ointment. Unlike what my grandmother has been telling me, leaving the treated area “exposed to the air” or “to dry” is NOT beneficial. The area will be covered with a small adhesive bandage (Band-Aid) after your procedure, and this can be done during your recovery if desired. In the shower, let soap and water run over the area. Do not rub vigorously or pick at any crusts/scabs.

Like any procedure that breaches the skin, there is a small risk of infection requiring antibiotics – contact the office if there is pain, pus or excessive redness in the treated area. Though rare, if infection occurs it is often between day 4 and 7 after the procedure. Avoiding direct sunlight exposure is recommended during recovery to prevent darkening (hyperpigmentation) of the treated area. In time, the mole will be replaced with a small, flat and subtle scar that may appear red or pink for a few weeks after the procedure. Rarely, a mole can grow back, or it can generate a speck of pigment after the treatment.

What other options exist?

Traditional sutured excision/punch excision: Moles with deep roots within the skin, such as moles that have been present since birth, may be better candidates for a traditional excision with a scalpel and sutures. Different lasers can be used to minimize the scar once the procedure is done. Electrodesiccation and curettage: Zapping a growth with an electrical current and/or using a microsurgery looped blade called a curette is commonly done for growths that are moreso in the “skin tag” rather than the mole family, such as seborrheic keratosis.
Cryotherapy: Though it is “low tech”, liquid nitrogen is a quick way to create a controlled frostbite on the skin to treat multiple spots at a time. It is especially well suited to treating skin tags and age spots like seborrheic keratosis, but may not be the best choice to treat a mole.