Cosmetic Medicine
Cosmetic Mole Removal
Cosmetic Mole removal is an electrosurgical procedure designed to remove benign (non cancerous) moles. These moles are a cosmetic nuisance and may be irritating on the skin. The procedure is done under local anaesthetic, and involves surgical shaving, followed by an electrosurgical diathermy to smooth the final result. There is no linear scar or sutures, unlike a surgical excision.
Which Moles can be treated?
All raised benign moles are suitable for this treatment. These include hairy moles, dermal (non pigmented) moles, raised birthmarks, seborrheic keratoses (“senile warts”) and pigmented moles.
What does the Treatment Involve?
Cosmetic Mole removal is a combined surgical and radiosurgery procedure . Firstly local anaesthetic is applied to the immediate area. Then the bulk of the lesion is shaved flat using a technique known as shave biopsy. Finally an electrosurgical diathermy is used to coagulate and resurface the area. A dressing is applied for 24 hours and the crust is then allowed to fall off naturally over the next week. There is little aftercare required, and you can resume your normal activities immediately afterwards.
Cosmetic Mole Removal gives a smooth final result.
Unlike a surgical excision there is no linear scar or sutures, unlike a surgical excision.
There is little aftercare required, and you can resume your normal activities immediately afterwards.
Limitations of Treatment
These limitations arise from the fact that the mole is shaved and electrosurgically flattened rather than cut out and sutured. Hence the deep parts of the mole can remain in the skin. The mole can occasionally recur (grow back). Pigmented raised moles may be simply converted to flat pigmented lesions if the pigment extends deep into the skin. In other words it will be flat but still visible. Finally, as with any skin procedure, a small flat pale scar may result occasionally.
Costs
Mole Removal costs from $250, depending on number of moles to be removed. A Medicare rebate is usually available to partly cover the cost of the procedure.
Your Assessment
It is important you consult a Cosmetic Physician or dermatologist. A Skin Cancer check is part of this assessment. Please note that any lesion that the doctor suspects of having cancerous potential is not suitable for this treatment and is more appropriately dealt with by surgical excision and suture.
