Will surgical mole removal leave scars?

Will mole removal surgery leave scars? In fact, it depends on which mole removal method you choose, because different mole removal methods have different advantages and disadvantages. Some mole removal methods will leave some small scars, and the most common mole removal methods now include surgical excision, chemical burning and laser vaporization. No matter which mole removal method you choose, you must pay attention to proper care.

1. Surgical resection

Explanation: Make a fusiform excision with the mole as the center and then suture it together.

Advantages and disadvantages: If you want to find a way to completely remove a mole, surgery is the most reliable method. However, when it comes to surgery, many people are psychologically afraid, fearing that the wound will be larger and there is a risk of infection. And for people with scar-prone constitution, there is a risk of scar hyperplasia. Generally, moles are multiple, small in size and numerous. Surgery is a bit cumbersome and will always leave small scars. However, for moles in special parts, that is, weight-bearing or friction areas (such as soles, toes, palms, nail beds, neck, and perineum), because moles in these parts are mostly junctional moles and have the potential for malignant transformation, it is better to effectively remove them through surgery, and a pathological tissue examination can be performed to determine the nature. If there are malignant lesions, they can be discovered and treated early.

2. Chemical burning method

Explanation: There are solutions to “wash moles” and liquid nitrogen to “freeze moles”. The so-called "mole-removing water" is actually using medicine to corrode the skin, causing the skin tissue of the mole to necrotize and then fall off. Liquid nitrogen mole removal is based on a similar principle to "burning". Liquid nitrogen is applied to the mole, causing the skin tissue to necrotize and fall off. Advantages and disadvantages: These two methods are relatively cheap, but they do not work immediately and the recovery time is longer. The wound will take 1-3 weeks to heal after scabbing. What's more troublesome is that it is difficult to control the depth when using the "chemical burning" method. If the treatment is too shallow, the mole cannot be removed completely and may grow back after a while. If the treatment is too deep, it is easy to leave pits and scars, which will become uglier. Instructions: Do not try this type of mole removal method on your own, especially if you are prone to scarring. If you really want to do it, you can choose to consult the plastic surgery department of a regular hospital. Under the operation of a qualified doctor, the risk will be reduced.

3. Laser vaporization method

Explanation: Using high-intensity laser energy, the melanocytes in the mole are disintegrated and vaporized, broken into pieces and formed into powder, which can then fall off by gently wiping with a cotton swab. Advantages and disadvantages: Simple and quick-acting. When doing laser treatment, the laser vaporizes the mole tissue, and the doctor gently wipes it with a cotton swab, and the tissue falls off. It is highly controllable and can accurately judge the depth of treatment and observe whether there is any mole tissue remaining. Generally, most moles can be removed without leaving any traces after laser treatment. Only some larger and deeper moles may have a small pit. For those with darker pigment cells, laser mole removal may still leave residues. Since it is impossible to make a 100% clear judgment with the naked eye, there is a possibility of recurrence. Therefore, some moles may need to be treated several times. Instructions: Moles that are not in weight-bearing or friction areas (such as the soles of the feet, toes, palms, nail beds, neck, and perineum) can be removed by laser. Especially if there is hair on the mole, there is basically no possibility of malignant transformation, and laser treatment is safe.