Laser Mole Removal

Safety is paramount. This is something that needs to be performed by someone who has the ability to distinguish between a mole that is benign and safe to remove cosmetically and a mole that is potentially dangerous.

Melanoma is one of the most rapidly advancing and dangerous types of cancer that can arise from moles. If a mole looks suspicious it should be excised (removed completely with a margin of skin) and the wound should be closed with stitches. It should then be sent for histological (under the microscope) analysis.

Dr Hussein uses a technique called dermoscopy to look at moles. This is a special type of device that uses high magnification and cross polarised light to allow detailed viewing of skin lesions such as moles. It is a technique that has enhanced the ability of dermatologists to determine whether or not a mole is safe or requires further attention.

Dr Hussein will assess any mole that is to be removed and will give clients all possible options for cosmetic removal. If a mole is found to look suspicious then you will be referred via the NHS two-week rule pathway.

DR HUSSEIN CASE GALLERY

TECHNIQUES

Dr Hussein uses the most advanced state of the art techniques which cause minimal scarring and give the best cosmetic results.

There are numerous techniques that are used to remove moles. Dr Hussein has expertise and experience in skin surgery and specialises in the use of laser for skin surgery.

If a mole is determined to be clearly benign then a technique called Erbium YAG laser ablation will be used by Dr Hussein to give the best scarring result. This is an excellent tool for cosmetically sensitive areas such as the face because it allows for faster healing and better scarring. Indeed it is possible with this technique at times to remove certain moles virtually scarlessly.

The Erbium YAG laser is the most superior tool for minimal scar mole removal as it creates minimum thermal damage to underlying tissue and preservation of important adnexal structures allows healing to take place with minimal scarring.

The CO2 laser less effective that the Erbium YAG laser as there is more thermal injury to adnexal structures and hence a greater possibility of scar formation.

Lots of skin surgeons choose to opt for more old-fashioned surgical techniques such as shave excisions or radio-surgical loop excision. Whilst these are perfectly valid ways of getting the job done the cosmetic result will not be as optimal due to impairment of the adnexal structures by these methods. These methods are certainly appropriate if a tissue sample is required for biopsy and if the mole is in an inconspicuous area then it is also good practice to use these techniques in order to get a sample of tissue to confirm diagnosis.

Dr Hussein is committed to achieving the best cosmetic result in surgery. This can be a more expensive way due to the expense of state-of-the-art equipment such as Erbium YAG lasers. But where cosmesis is important then it is without doubt the gold standard.

Dr Hussein has shown examples of his laser mole removal work below so you can judge for yourself.

POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS

The following are potential complications of a mole removal procedure:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Scar formation
• Skin indentation
• Discolouration of the skin (lighter or darker)
• Recurrence of the mole (less than 3 percent) – (this can potentially occur where laser or shave excision methods have been utilised to optimise the cosmetic result)

FAQs