TYPES OF MOLE REMOVAL PROCEDURES
When you have a mole that needs to be removed from the skin, Dr. Ardesh will diagnose the condition of the growth and recommend the appropriate procedure for removal. There are many different options available and Dr. Ardesh will discuss which is best for your particular situation.
Shave Removal
Shaving the mole is an effective procedure of mole removal surgery. This is also the best option for taking a sample of tissue for a cancer diagnosis. When performing this procedure, the mole is shaved away one layer at a time until all of the tissue is removed from the surface of your skin.
A numbing agent is injected beneath the mole prior to removal. In a short period of time the area will be completely numb so as to prevent any pain or discomfort while the procedure is performed. This also helps to extend the mole, making it easier to remove.
Using horizontal motions, the mole is shaved off in layers with a small electronic dermal tool that is designed to reduce the potential for scarring while ensuring that all of the cells from the mole tissue are completely eliminated from the surface of the skin. This option for mole removal is quick and requires little to no recovery time after the procedure.
Full-Thickness Mole Excision
The diagnosis of your mole will allow Dr. Ardesh to see how deep it has penetrated beneath the skin. If the mole is showing a significant level of depth, full-thickness excision might be an appropriate procedure for removal.
An excision will require the mole tissue to be cropped off at the fat layer beneath the surface of the skin. Once the procedure is complete, the excision site will need stitches to close and heal correctly and the method used to accomplish this stage of the procedure is intended to minimize the risk of scarring.
Laser Removal
Perhaps one of the most common forms of mole removal in Los Angeles, laser removal is the ideal option for eliminating non-cancerous moles from the skin. The procedure incorporates the use of light to break down the cells inside of the lesion.
What makes laser removal such an effective option is the focused precision of the procedure through high-intensity light radiation. The result is elimination of the mole without damaging the skin tissue around it.
Depending on the size of the mole, it may take more than one treatment to remove it entirely. In most cases, however, the removal of a mole is quick and painless with little to no downtime. You won't need to deviate from your normal routine just to have laser mole removal.
Freezing
Another very effective method for the removal of smaller and shallow moles is cryotherapy which uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the cells of the growth. Much like with laser removal, freezing the tissue is a focused approach to dealing with the lesion.
Liquid nitrogen is applied directly to the mole in order to target the cells of the mole tissue and eliminate them at the cellular level. You may notice a blister forming in the targeted freezing site. This is normal. A scab will likely form next, but the site should be fully healed in a matter of three to six weeks.
Freezing is a simple and effective option for mole removal as there is little to no pain involved and no downtime needed for healing.
Punch Excision Mole Removal
This option is best-suited for use with moles that reach deep beneath the skin. The procedure is performed using a special tool equipped with a circular blade that punches out the mole from the face. Dr. Ardesh will first apply an anesthetic to the targeted area before using the tool to remove the mole.
The healing process is simple and straightforward without scarring or any complications that might lead to an infection or a return of the growth after removal. There is no discoloration of the skin at the removal site.
A Cancer Diagnosis
Dr. Ardesh will test a portion of the tissue to detect for cancer before any procedure is performed. If that test comes back positive, the appropriate mole removal method will be discussed with you. Surgical excision, freezing, curettage, and electro-desiccation are just some of the options that will best destroy the cancer cells in the mole tissue.
We have helped many patients remove cancerous moles from the skin. A cancer diagnosis may seem frightening, but the issue can be successfully resolved with one or more easy treatments in our office.
If you have one or more moles that you would like to have removed for any reason, do not attempt to do the job yourself with home remedies. These are unreliable and could lead to scarring, infection, or injury. Talk to a medical professional with the experience and skill to remove it safely.
To learn more about your rejuvenation options with Dr. Ardesh, please schedule an appointment.
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