If your mole produces hair, you may wish to have it removed for aesthetic reasons. However, any mole that changes after laser therapy should be biopsied by a dermatologist before treatment begins.
Traditional laser hair removal targets pigment and destroys hair follicles. You may find that regular treatments lighten areas affected, depending on your complexion and hair colour.
What Happens During Treatment?
Medical-grade lasers can be used to target and destroy hair follicles that cause your body to produce unwanted hair, unlike other treatments which may cause scarring, burning and uneven skin tone. This treatment is noninvasive, painless and highly effective.
Patients typically see an initial reduction in hair growth one to three weeks following treatment, with any new growth being lighter and less dense than it was pre-treatment; over time this should fade with time. Depending on your skin and hair color combination, multiple sessions may be required to achieve maximum effectiveness.
Laser hair removal works by targeting the melanin in skin cells, and because most atypical moles tend to be darker than their surroundings, laser exposure may target them more readily during this process. However, it should be remembered that melanoma isn’t caused by laser exposure – rather, its cause lies within DNA mutations which take years before becoming visible on a physical level.
If you opt for laser treatment of your atypical moles, it is essential that any other hair removal methods like plucking, waxing and electrolysis be limited for at least six weeks prior to your first session. In addition, avoid sun exposure and use a numbing gel as needed to help minimize discomfort.
Before shaving the area of your body being treated with laser, use an exfoliant or washcloth to gently remove any scabs that form on its surface.
After each session, your treated area may appear red and scabbed over, especially if you have darker skin. This is normal and will gradually diminish over time as your area heals. When healing takes place, follow all instructions given by healthcare providers as regards aftercare instructions as this could increase infection risks or slow the recovery process.
Additionally, moles treated by laser could change or disappear altogether after completion of treatment sessions – although this is unlikely, it’s worth keeping this possibility in mind when making your decision to undergo laser mole removal.
What Happens After Treatment?
Laser treatments that target pigmented cells in moles may cause the surrounding skin to turn red and scab after treatment, though this should subside with time. It’s important to avoid picking at scabs or applying too much pressure as doing so could cause complications like scarring; also keep out of direct sunlight for at least 2 months until healing has taken place completely.
Most patients tolerate this procedure very well and experience minimal to no discomfort during it. Topical anesthetic is generally applied prior to beginning, to minimize any potential discomfort; over-the-counter pain relievers are available as needed during the process to help manage any discomfort that might occur during it.
A typical session typically lasts only minutes, enabling it to treat large areas quickly and efficiently. Treatment time might differ depending on the size of the area being treated; but hopefully each subsequent treatment should produce noticeable decreases in hair growth that becomes even more profound over time.
Laser mole removal differs from surgical excision or liquid nitrogen freezing in that it leaves no visible scar, decreasing your risk of new, more dangerous moles than would otherwise occur.
After several sessions, most patients will notice a significant reduction in hair growth, leading to smoother skin and reduced unwanted hair on legs and arms. For optimal results, patients should undergo six-8 treatments for best results.
Over the course of their treatment, patients should make regular check-in appointments. This is due to hair that was targeted regrowing but much thinner and lighter than before treatment began. Patients should avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds between appointments in order to maximize results and prolong them as much as possible.
What Should I Do Immediately After Treatment?
Laser hair removal is a non-invasive way of eliminating unwanted hair on the skin. Your physician will apply a hand-held instrument directly onto your skin, and depending on which laser type they choose, a cooling device or gel might also be applied in order to protect and lessen potential side effects. A burst of light radiation from the laser instrument will pass through it into your hair follicles which will be targeted and damaged by it – thus inhibiting future hair growth.
Laser beam treatments can also be used to remove moles that have changed in appearance, as well as remove blemishes. A local anaesthetic may be administered prior to this treatment to minimise discomfort; some individuals may experience mild redness or swelling at the area that was treated due to your body absorbing blood cells to protect tissues in response – this is normal response and typically only lasts 30 minutes post treatment.
As with most medical treatments, laser hair removal may lead to some side effects, including changes to skin pigmentation. Moles contain more pigmented cells than their surrounding skin and could absorb laser energy and change colour under its influence – leading to potential mole changes that require further medical intervention.
However, this is uncommon and most patients do not experience it. The primary side effect of laser hair removal is typically temporary decrease in skin pigmentation that usually returns back to normal over time.
Laser exposure could cause moles to change dramatically and turn malignant, though this is highly unlikely. If any mole becomes noticeably darker or changes shape or develops crusty surface areas it should be evaluated by a medical provider immediately as this could indicate cancerous cells present.
When considering laser mole removal, it is crucial that you consult a specialist with extensive knowledge in this field. This will ensure the best possible outcomes and peace of mind regarding your health and well-being. Make sure to follow all physician’s instructions closely, and use sunscreen regularly on treated areas of skin.
What Should I Do During The Week After Treatment?
Although treatment itself should be painless, moles may experience temporary bumpiness after treatment – though this should subside quickly after several hours have passed. To alleviate discomfort post-procedure use an aloe vera gel to soothe any soreness caused by treatment.
Following treatment, it’s essential that skin be shielded from sunlight. This means avoiding sunbathing and using an SPF sunscreen with high sun protection factors when venturing outside. Furthermore, wearing light-coloured clothing that covers as much of your body when engaging in outdoor activities would also be recommended.
After laser hair removal for moles treatments, exfoliation should also be performed three times each week to help rid the area of dead skin cells and make it appear fresher and healthier.
After several weeks, you should notice a slow or complete stop in hair growth due to your follicles reverting back to their natural state, no longer producing new hairs. It would still be prudent to schedule regular hair removal appointments in order to prevent their reappearance and ensure that any potential regrowth doesn’t occur again.
If a mole is concerning you, consulting with a dermatologist is recommended. They will be able to determine whether or not it is cancerous and provide a biopsy if necessary.
Moles contain pigment that can be absorbed by laser light; however, treating your moles with one is usually not advised because its light could disrupt clusters of pigment and potentially lift from your skin entirely, potentially becoming quite hazardous for health reasons.
However, laser hair removal for moles may only be effective if they do not penetrate deeply into the skin and do not exhibit other abnormalities. If a doctor suspects melanoma in a mole, a biopsy will be conducted to check its status as cancerous or benign.
