Interest in removing moles on the face or other areas of the body for aesthetic reasons is very common.
Many people want a more uniform facial appearance with as few imperfections as possible.
Removing skin moles can help improve self-confidence and self-esteem, allowing people to feel more comfortable and satisfied with their appearance.
What are skin moles?
Typically a lesion is referred to as a “mole” when it is pigmented. However, the term “mole” can designate a wide variety of skin lesions, such as congenital nevi and seborrheic keratosis, for example. Based on the clinical history and physical examination, the physician can diagnose the different types of moles and recommend the most appropriate treatment for their removal, when necessary.
Why remove skin moles?
Mole removal can be performed for medical or aesthetic reasons.
If your doctor suspects that a mole may be cancerous or precancerous (such as melanoma), he or she may recommend removing it for pathological analysis and to prevent progression of the disease.
People with a family history of skin cancer may opt for preventative mole removal in order to reduce the risk of developing the disease.
Moles that are constantly irritated due to friction from clothing, jewelry, or other sources can be removed to alleviate the discomfort and prevent further damage.
Additionally, some people may choose to have moles removed simply for cosmetic reasons, especially if the moles are located in permanently visible areas of the body.
How do you know if a mole is dangerous?
The moles may be present from birth (congenital signs) or appear later. Most moles are benign, but it is important to monitor any changes in their appearance, such as growth, change in colour or itching/bleeding.
If you experience any of these symptoms, or notice the appearance of a new mole or a wound that does not heal, you should seek an evaluation with our dermatologist.
Mole laser removal
In the case of benign moles, a safe and effective option for their removal is the Fractional CO2 Laser.
Other therapeutic modalities for treating this type of mole include curettage, cauterization and surgical excision of the lesion (with or without the need for suturing, depending on the case).
What is the recovery time after mole removal?
Recovery time after mole removal with a fractional CO2 laser may vary depending on several factors, such as mole size, location, depth of removal and individual skin response to treatment.
Here are some common recovery steps after fractional CO2 laser mole removal:
First days: In the first few days after treatment, you may experience some redness, swelling and a feeling of heat in the treated area.
Scabbing: It is possible for scabs to form on the treated areas. It is important not to remove the scabs as they help protect the skin during the healing process.
Peeling: As the skin regenerates, there may be some peeling of the skin. This is part of the skin renewal process.
Sensitivity: The skin may be sensitive to touch and certain products in the first days to weeks after treatment.
Healing time: It may take a few weeks for the skin to heal completely. Recovery may be faster in areas with thinner skin and slower in areas with thicker skin.
During the recovery process, it is essential to protect treated skin from the sun by using sunscreen and avoiding direct sun exposure.
Does laser mole removal leave a scar?
The Fractional CO2 Laser is a method that aims to minimize the risk of scars compared to conventional CO2 lasers. It targets small areas of the skin very precisely, allowing healthy surrounding skin to aid healing. This can lead to faster recovery and potentially less visible scars.
Normally, scars resulting from laser mole removal become almost imperceptible.
Consultation to evaluate moles
During the medical consultation, an appropriate plan will be created to treat the moles. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove one or more lesions through a skin biopsy procedure for histopathological analysis. In other cases, the approach will be conservative, without the need to remove the mole, or it may be removed without the need for analysis by a pathologist.
What is the price for sign removal?
Schedule an appointment with the Living Clinic dermatologist to evaluate your moles and find out the cost for your case.
We are on Av. da Boavista, in Porto!
