
MOLE REMOVAL
What is Mole Removal?
Mole removal is a process to remove dark spots or irregularities from the skin. Moles are skin features that can be present since birth, or they can develop over time. They occur on various places of the body, and they can differ in shape, size, and color.
People choose to pursue mole removal treatments for both cosmetic and preventative medical reasons. Our office in Mason, Ohio, performs both surgical and laser treatments to surgically remove moles for cosmetic reasons.
Laser mole removal is good for small black or brown moles that do not protrude above the skin. Fully removing the mole typically requires one to three laser treatments.
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We offer three types of surgical mole removal, which are:
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Shave Excision – good for moles raised above the skin; involves a member of our team applying a local anesthetic and shaving the surface of the mole so it’s flush with the skin
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Punch Biopsy – good for small moles; involves a member of our team using a special device to “punch out” a cylinder-shaped piece of skin
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Excisional Surgery – good for flat or malignant moles; involves a member of our team surgically cutting out the mole
The procedure chosen will depend on you, your goals, and your body.
Am I a good candidate?
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A consultation with our team in San Ramon, Ca, is the best way to determine if you could benefit from either of these removal procedures. They will be able to give you feedback about your skincare concerns as well as determine which of these removal methods is best for you and your goals.
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It is important to remember that results will vary with all procedures.
PROS:
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Laser mole-removal treatments are minimally invasive. They require no downtime, no incisions, and no surgery.
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Lasers can target moles with ease and precision.
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Treatments are highly effective, and the surrounding tissue is left intact.
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Laser mole-removal treatments leave minimal scarring, making them an ideal treatment for people who want discreet scarring on their mole treatment sites.
CONS:
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Deep-rooted moles are not ideal lesions to be removed by lasers due to the abundant supply of blood flow, requiring surgical intervention to minimize trauma to the area.
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Suspicious skin growths must be assessed by a dermatologist for cancerous properties before laser removal.
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Larger moles are sometimes not ideal for laser procedures. A surgical process will remove the mole completely versus multiple laser treatments, which can end up costing more time and money.
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Will I look overdone?BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a techniquesensitive treatment. You should not lose the ability to show expression when you are treated by someone who is licensed, trained, and a medical expert in facial anatomy. It is important to talk to your provider about the results you want from treatment.
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Does the treatment hurt?Some patients report that being injected with BOTOX® Cosmetic feels like a pinch. Your provider may use ice to numb the treatment area. If you are concerned about discomfort, your provider may apply a topical numbing cream before administering your treatment.
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How long does treatment take?The treatment takes approximately 10 minutes and requires minimal downtime or recovery—it’s often called a lunchtime procedure.
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What were common side effects seen in clinical studies?Three percent of patients experienced eyelid drooping in the frown lines studies and 1% of patients experienced eyelid swelling in the crow’s feet studies. Other possible side effects include: discomfort or pain at the injection site; headache; and eye problems: double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, and swelling of your eyelids. These are not all of the possible serious side effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic.
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What is the Most Important Information I Should Know About BOTOX® Cosmetic?BOTOX® Cosmetic may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Get medical help right away if you have any of these problems any time (hours to weeks) after injection of BOTOX® Cosmetic: ​ • Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing, due to weakening of associated muscles, can be severe and result in loss of life. You are at the highest risk if these problems are pre-existing before injection. Swallowing problems may last for several months. •Spread of toxin effects. The effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas away from the injection site and cause serious symptoms including: loss of strength and all-over muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing. ​ There has not been a confirmed serious case of spread of toxin effect when BOTOX® Cosmetic has been used at the recommended dose to treat frown lines, crow’s feet lines or both at the same time. ​ BOTOX® Cosmetic may cause loss of strength or general muscle weakness, vision problems, or dizziness within hours to weeks of taking BOTOX® Cosmetic. If this happens, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities. ​ BOTOX® Cosmetic dosing units are not the same as, or comparable to, any other botulinum toxin product.
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What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?BOTOX® Cosmetic is prescription medicine a medical professional injects into muscles to temporarily improve the look of both moderate to severe crow’s feet lines and frown lines between the eyebrows in adults.
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Who Should Not Use BOTOX® Cosmetic?Do not use BOTOX® Cosmetic if you are: allergic to any of the ingredients in BOTOX® Cosmetic such as botulinum toxin type A and human serum albumin; had an allergic reaction to another botulinum toxin product such as Myobloc® (rimabotulinumtoxinB), Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA), or Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA); or have a skin infection at the planned injection site.
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What Should I Tell My Doctor Before Treatment?Tell your doctor about all your muscle or nerve conditions, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome, as you may be at increased risk of serious side effects. Tell your doctor if you have or have had bleeding issues; plan to or have had surgery; have forehead muscle weakness such as trouble raising your eyebrows; drooping eyelids; or any changes to your face. ​ Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, are breastfeeding or plan to breast feed. It is not known if BOTOX® Cosmetic can harm your unborn baby or if BOTOX® Cosmetic passes into breast milk.
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What Are Common Side Effects?The most common side effects include temporary injection site pain; weakening of adjacent facial muscles; drooping eyelids; swelling eyelids; and headache. Other side effects, while less common, have been reported including blurred vision, double vision and allergic reactions (itching, rash, red itchy welts, wheezing, asthma symptoms, dizziness or feeling faint).
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What Should I tell My Doctor About Medicines and Vitamins I Take?Using BOTOX® Cosmetic with certain medicines may cause serious side effects. Do not start any new medicines until you have told your doctor that you have received BOTOX® Cosmetic in the past. Tell your doctor if you have received an injection with another botulinum toxin product in the last 4 months, such as Myobloc®, Dysport®, or Xeomin®. Be sure your doctor knows which product you received. ​ Tell your doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines and supplements you take including: vitamins and herbal products; recent antibiotic injections; anticholinergics; muscle relaxants; allergy or cold medicine; sleep medicine; aspirin-like products; and blood thinners. Ask your doctor if you are not sure whether your medicine is listed above.