Unwanted hair growth on moles is an aesthetic concern that can be difficult to manage with traditional waxing or shaving alone, yet laser treatments offer safe solutions that provide permanent removal.
Laser treatments carry one potential risk: damage to moles that are more atypical or dysplastic may increase their susceptibility to developing into melanomas; for this reason it’s imperative that all skin growths be evaluated and biopsied by professionals before going under laser treatment.
What to Expect
If you’re unhappy about any moles on your body, laser hair removal could be the right treatment option for you. This approach is quick, safe, and noninvasive; but before making the decision to go this route it is essential that you fully understand what will occur before proceeding with treatment.
After your procedure, the affected area will likely experience redness and mild swelling. A scab will form over it before eventually dissipating into a smooth piece of skin. Throughout your healing process it is essential that daily sunscreen application be applied on this area in order to protect it from further sun damage.
While on treatment, you should refrain from shaving, plucking and waxing the area as these treatments may disturb hair follicles and therefore have adverse reactions on treatment results. If you do decide to shave, make sure that the razor you choose has an extremely low setting so as not to cut over treated areas.
Laser treatment works by targeting pigment found in hair follicles and moles. Doing this may cause cells to change their hue, potentially leading to melanoma.
Because it can be hard to tell the difference between laser damage and changes that could indicate cancer, any changes in a mole should be biopsied immediately.
If you are considering laser treatment, it is advised to forego any sunless tanning products for six weeks prior to beginning treatments and wear a wide-spectrum sunscreen after each appointment.
Laser treatment often generates questions regarding whether it will cause freckles to form in an area or deepen in color, with one person asking us if laser treatments might lead to new ones forming or existing freckles darkening temporarily due to laser treatments; but this effect only lasts temporarily as their original skin tone returns over time.
Preparation
Moles should generally not be treated with laser hair removal because this method cannot safely remove them from the surface of the skin. Laser light could absorb some pigment from within a mole, disrupting it or lifting it altogether – potentially leading to infection and necessitating biopsies prior to removal. It is therefore often best practice to have all moles professionally biopsied prior to making any decisions on removal.
However, if you’re concerned about any specific moles on your body, it’s best to discuss it with your physician first before taking action against it. They can give advice as to the most suitable course of action; whether that means biopsying it or laser removal.
As part of your preparation for treatment, it is wise to refrain from products which could make your skin sensitive in the days preceding your appointment. This includes perfumes, sunless tanning creams and other scented lotions which contain fragrance. Furthermore, avoid tweezing, waxing or shaving your hairs which could disrupt hair follicles; doing this will enable laser to work efficiently against moles for the best possible outcomes.
Once it comes time for treatment, laser treatment can be quite painful as pulses of light from a laser sends pulses of light directly into your skin – like pinpricks or rubber band snapping against it – and can last from several minutes up to an hour depending on the size of your treatment area.
After treatment, your skin may appear red and slightly swollen for up to 24 hours; however, this should eventually fade with time. Ice packs may provide temporary relief. Furthermore, it would be prudent to stay out of sunlight as the treated area will likely be highly sensitive for some time following the procedure.
After your treatment, you may observe that your mole has changed slightly – whether darker or lighter in appearance. While this is a normal reaction to any medical procedure, any significant modifications should be checked out by a dermatologist as soon as possible to be sure.
Treatment
Unwanted hair growth on moles can be both frustrating and unsightly. Traditional methods for hair removal such as shaving and waxing may cause discomfort to surrounding areas when used to remove unwanted hair; luckily, laser treatment has emerged as an efficient means for doing just this without damaging skin around moles.
To remove unwanted mole hairs, a specialist laser machine is employed. It targets pigments in the area to destroy hair follicles and stop their re-growth; its heat energy also stimulates collagen production for healthy skin. Treatment typically is quick and painless with local anesthetic being administered for your comfort.
When using laser therapy to remove moles, it is vital that a fully qualified medical professional is overseeing your care. Non-medical practitioners may find it hard to distinguish between benign and malignant moles; therefore, beauty salons or home-based practitioners should not offer laser mole removal treatments.
Once the procedure has been completed, a small wound will appear on the mole and require time to heal. This typically takes between days and weeks and leaves behind a scab which eventually falls off on its own. During this process it is essential that sunscreen be applied regularly while harsh skincare products should be avoided in this area.
Some patients experience dark spots or patches after laser mole removal, known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. To mitigate its effects, follow your dermatologist or laser mole removal clinic’s aftercare instructions and reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Remember, too, that using lasers to remove moles may alter their appearance for some time after removal and could lead to misdiagnosis as skin cancer by physicians. Therefore it is advisable to visit your GP regularly, particularly if they bleed or increase in size.
Aftercare
Aftercare after laser hair removal of a mole is essential in order to avoid any negative side-effects from treatment. Laser treatments may cause redness, swelling and small bumps post-procedure; these symptoms usually subside within days. If your skin is particularly sensitive, use of an ice pack or washcloth dampened with cold water can help alleviate these side-effects, while taking an OTC pain reliever such as Tylenol can also provide some comfort during recovery.
After your laser treatment, it is also vitally important that you stay out of the sun. Sunlight can repigment areas exposed to it; for best results it’s best to use broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 protection. Chemical peels, microdermabrasion and IPL photofacial treatments should also be avoided for several days post treatment as these harsh treatments can repigment skin quickly. If unsure which laser type will be used on your mole, consult a professional who can guide your decision.
Laser hair removal on moles can produce immediate results, though repeated sessions will likely be necessary for maximum success. This method works because laser light heats pigment in order to damage and destroy hair follicles in order to stop further growth – an excellent way to get rid of stubborn hairs that prove difficult to eradicate using other means.
If you are considering laser hair removal on a mole, be sure to find an experienced and qualified practitioner. Look for practitioners on a register indicating they meet set standards in training, skill, and insurance coverage; visiting a clinic rather than trying the procedure on yourself at home will ensure you use the ideal method and laser for your specific skin and hair type.
Laser removal does not guarantee that your mole will never recur or turn into serious skin conditions such as melanoma, which should always be biopsied regardless of its treatment by laser.
