C02 Laser Mole Removal
EDS Skin Care Forums Forum Index » Skin Care and Makeup Forum

Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:47 pm Quote

I am looking to get many moles removed from my body and face and i have searched for quite a few years now for the best method which will leave the best results afterwards, and i have come to the conclusion that the C02 laser is my best way forward. I have been in contact with a laser clinic in London and this is what they have to say about the procedure:

Moles can be successfully treated using the CO2 laser, although depending on each individual case, more than one attempt may be required before achieving optimum results.

The main benefit of treating moles and other skin growths with lasers, is that provided the post operative care instructions are adhered to, (which is the application of Vaseline to the treated area for 3-4 days post op) then there should be no resultant scarring….the treated area must be allowed to dry out in a moist environment, otherwise you may risk possible and unnecessary scarring.

Removal of Skin Growths

Lasers used:
Pigmented areas – (i.e., flat moles, freckles, age spots etc.)
- Q switched Ruby or Nd-YAG lasers.
Raised/fleshy areas –(i.e., skin nodules, naevi or cysts)
- Scanned/Pulsed Carbon Dioxide laser.

Anaesthetic:
This procedure is normally carried out under local anaesthetic, although if there are several areas to treat, sedation can be given.

Indications:
This form of surgery is suitable for most benign growths of the face, from excessive growth of skin (“Rumpole’s nose”) to small moles and freckles. It is important to be clinically sure that the areas to be treated are not potentially serious.

Pigmented/Flat Lesions
The principle of this procedure is to remove colour from the pigmented, flat lesions. This is basically painless, and therefore no anaesthetic is needed at all. However, it is often wise to perform a test patch to ensure that pigmentation changes do not occur in the healed skin, and that the end result is that which the patient is expecting. Post operatively some slight reddening/blistering might occur, this lasts for approximately 48 hours and during this time the treated area needs to be kept dry. More than one procedure is often necessary for deeper or darker areas.

Raised areas (moles, skin tags etc.):
Raised moles etc. do not need colour removal generally, although even if they are slightly pigmented, the principle is the same - to flatten the area level with the normal skin, rather than surgical removal, removing the need for stitches and minimising any scar. On cosmetically important areas such as the face, this leads to major advantages over standard techniques, since the laser can bloodlessly and finely remove the area until it is just level with normal skin. Thus the lesion is not removed, simply made invisible, or as near to that as is possible. Make-up can then be easily applied to completely hide the area if some slight colour difference is present with normal skin. This procedure may cause some discomfort, and therefore local anaesthetic is required. Because it is important to take less rather than more, sometimes a second procedure is required.

Post-operative care:
Skin care is straightforward - simply clean and apply vaseline 4 hourly. This is to avoid scab formation. If a scab does form as a natural dressing, it can be left. However, by cleaning regularly as described, healing occurs within 3 or 4 days usually, allowing make-up to be applied if required. The healing skin below will be red/pink for a variable period of time, up to around 1 month postoperatively. Following this the area treated will be almost invisible, although there may be some slight difference in skin colour or texture as mentioned.

I just want to ask before i go through with this procedure, does anyone know of any other alternatives to this method or has anyone had moles removed via this method?

I need to get something done as i am totally miserable and i am unable to wear short sleeve shirts out and i find it impossible to approach women because of it.

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