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Mole Removal
and skin tags and other lumps and bumps*
with CO2 Laser
*fancy-named things like syringomas, xanthelasma, trichoepitheliomas, seborrheic keratosis, keratocanthomas, acrochordons, melanocytic nevi,
congenital nevi, and a lot more.
Before Two weeks after one treatment
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Before Two weeks after one treatment
This laser emits a very thin, very focused, and very powerful beam of infrared light that destroys the tissue at which it is aimed. The depth of penetration of the laser beam can be adjusted from about one cell layer to about a quarter of a millimeter. Basically, the mole can be vaporized one thin layer at a time while causing minimal damage to surrounding tissue. This precision allows for the removal of moles with the lowest chance of scarring.
What skin lesions can be treated using lasers?
We can remove moles and many other skin lesions using our CO2 laser including skin tags, seborrheis keratosis, xanthelasma, syringomas, eccrine hygromas and more. These fancy words likely mean nothing to you. Just think of any skin lump or bump as being a potential target. This laser can treat virtually any of them.
Please note that we don’t treat warts.
The treatment is not painless. You will feel some sharp prickly pain. This is easily tolerated by most people, and most of the time, no anesthetic is used.
What can be done to minimize discomfort?
You can choose to have local anesthetic injected to completely eliminate the laser pain. Keep in mind that the injection of anesthetic also hurts, so it is usually used only for large moles that need a lot of laser shots.
You can also pre-treat the area with numbing cream applied one hour earlier. We have numbing cream available for purchase.
Is laser treatment permanent?
Generally, the treatment is permanent. However, one of the goals of treatment is to minimize the chances of a scar. Therefore, an attempt is made to leave the underlying skin as uninjured as possible. This means that some of the lesion may be left behind, and the lesion can regrow. If this occurs, the next treatment will have to be more aggressive, and a scar is more likely to result. You will have traded a mole for a scar.
What is the risk of scarring?
Scars form with all skin injuries. Many of them are not visible because the injury was mild. The risk of scarring goes up with the degree of injury. The deeper the injury, the greater the risk of a scar.
The goal of laser treatment of skin lesions is to destroy the lesion and minimize the skin injury. The skin lesion is vaporized one thin layer at a time. When the mole has been destroyed, and we’re at the level of normal skin, the treatment is finished. Skin injury is minimal and so is the scar (not even visible). Judging this is an art, not a science. Normal skin can be injured with a resulting visible scar.
In some cases scarring is unavoidable because of the nature of the mole. It may be large and deep. You will trade a scar for a mole.
The other factor to consider is your body’s response to skin injury. Some people tend to heal well. Others are prone to scars.
Scars can be flat, indented, or raised. They are almost always white, although darker-skinned people are more prone to making pigmented scars.
Keloids are a special kind of scar. These scars extend past the border of the injury and grow over healthy skin. They can be very large and unsightly. Some people a prone to them. Some parts of the body are more prone than others. Most people are aware if they have a tendency to make keloids. These people are at risk for keloid formation even with the precision of the laser.
Can I do anything to reduce the risk of scarring even more?
There is a firmly held belief that wounds should be kept dry. In fact, we now know that the opposite is true. Wound healing is improved in a moist environment. The easiest way to kep a wound moist is to use ointments (like Polysporin or Vaseline) that lock in the body's moisture (after all, the human body is 75% water). You can also use silicone-based liquid gel (Dermatix) or gel pads (Polysporin Scar Soution).
How many treatments will be required?
Most commonly, only one treatment is required. However, as noted above, some of the mole might survive and need a second treatment.
Of course, if you have a lot of moles, it might require a few sessions to remove all of them.
In a typical fifteen minute session, about 5 average-sized moles can be removed. Dozens of small lesions can be removed.
At what intervals are treatments repeated?
If you are having new territory treated, you can have sessions back-to-back. Most people space sessions weekly.
If a mole requires a second treatment, because has not been completely removed, this is done two to three weeks later when healing is nearly complete and residual mole can be seen.
When a mole initially seems to have been removed, but it comes back, this might take months or even years.
What skin colors can be treated?
All skin colours can be treated, but darker skin is at higher risk of pigment problems.
Should I avoid the sun before and after treatment?
Sun exposure can lead to pigmentation problems, but this is not common. It is advisable to reduce sun exposure following treatment. Generally, all that is required is for you to use sunscreen and a hat. (You should be doing this anyway, since all sun exposure causes skin damage.)
How long do treatments take?
Sessions are 15 to 30 minutes.
What are the risks of laser treatment?
There will be some pain as described above. Swelling, redness, itching, mild soreness, scabs, and oozing are normal for a few days.
The intense light delivered produces burning. Scarring can occur following a burn. Scar formation is not predictable. Keloids can form. (se question about scars). Infection can occur in the injured skin. Skin color changes can occur. This can be increased pigmentation or decreased pigmentation. Pigment changes may be permanent.
The laser can injure your eyes. His would be about the same as scatching your eye and is very unlikely to result in a defect of your vision. None-the-less, metal goggles will be provided for complete protection.
Does laser treatment increase my risk for skin cancer?
Absolutely not. The wavelength of light used is in the infrared range. This is at the opposite end of the spectrum from ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays which are all capable of causing cancer. Infrared light does not cause cancer.
How do you know the mole isn’t cancerous?
Some moles might be cancerous. There are several features of moles that doctors look for to determine whether or not they are cancerous: multiple colours, irregular or hazy borders, rapid change/growth, spontaneous bleeding*, lesions on palms and soles, black lesions, and “black sheep lesions” (moles that look different from all your other moles). However, even the best dermatologist will miss 10% of melanomas when inspecting moles.
Laser is not the correct treatment for melanoma or any other skin cancer. Suspicious moles should be biopsied and excised if they are cancerous. We do not provide this service. You should see your family doctor.
What can I expect following treatment?
You will have some little burns that will be a little irritating. Larger moles will have bandaids. Smaller lesions will have Polysporin ointment or nothing applied.
How long will healing take?
You will have a minor burn following treatment that will take about a week to heal. You will need to protect the injury for 3-5 days with a bandage and Polysporin ointment.
The wound will be slightly red for several weeks.
What are my restrictions after treatment?
None. You can return to your daily activities as usual. All you have to do is keep the wounds clean.
Does OHIP cover the cost of laser treatments?
No. These moles are being removed for cosmetic reasons. If a mole is removed or biopsied because it is suspicious, the cost is covered by OHIP.
Does extended health insurance cover the cost of laser treatments?
Probably not. Check with your insurer.
Many employers have Health Contribution Plans that can be used to pay for any service provided by a physician. Mole removal would probably qualify. Check with your employer.
Is laser mole treatment eligible for tax credits?
Treatments provided by physicians can generally be used as tax deductions. Check with your accountant. Receipts will be provided.
What is your cancellation policy?
We require 48 hours notice for cancellation of your consultation or treatment, in order to fill the appointment time. If sufficient notice is not given, the full value of the treatment to be done may be charged. The minimum charge for a missed appointment or late cancellation is $80 (eighty dollars).
How do I book an appointment?
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