Lasers have really allowed the medical field to advance, resulting in procedures that are easier and more pain-free for the patient. If you need to have a mole removed, your doctor may recommend that you have it done via laser surgery. Chances are, you've never had this procedure before because it is relatively new -- so you probably have a few questions. Here are four common questions about laser mole removal.
1. What will the procedure feel like?
You will probably feel nothing at all during the procedure. Your doctor should administer a local anesthetic or at least apply a numbing cream to your skin before they start applying the laser. By the time the laser hits your skin, the skin will be numb. You may feel a slight vibration or a little pressure, depending on the type of laser your doctor uses.
2. Will the surgery site bleed?
One of the advantages of laser mole removal is that there's little to no bleeding involved. The laser cauterizes the wound as it removes the mole, so the blood vessels get closed off immediately. Not only does this make the procedure neater, but it also makes it easier to care for the surgical site in the days following treatment.
3. What will recovery be like?
The recovery process could not be simpler! You can usually go straight back to work or whatever else you need to do following laser surgery for mole removal. You'll have a bandage over the area, and it may become a little swollen or sore in the hours that follow, but this should not be any worse than if you were to have scraped your skin accidentally. Keep the bandage on for a few days, and then remove it to let the scab dry out. Once the scab falls off, make sure you apply sunscreen to the area to keep the newly formed skin from burning.
4. What are the risks associated with laser mole removal?
This is a very low-risk procedure. The most common side effect is an infection, which mostly happens when patients do not follow aftercare instructions to keep the surgical site clean after surgery. Some patients do develop unwanted, raised scars after laser mole removal. However, your doctor can easily remove these scars, either with another laser procedure or with conventional surgery. If you are prone to raised scars, let your doctor know. They may not recommend laser mole removal.
