C02 Laser Mole Removal
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Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:47 pm

I am looking to get many moles removed from my body and face and i have searched for quite a few years now for the best method which will leave the best results afterwards, and i have come to the conclusion that the C02 laser is my best way forward. I have been in contact with a laser clinic in London and this is what they have to say about the procedure:

Moles can be successfully treated using the CO2 laser, although depending on each individual case, more than one attempt may be required before achieving optimum results.

The main benefit of treating moles and other skin growths with lasers, is that provided the post operative care instructions are adhered to, (which is the application of Vaseline to the treated area for 3-4 days post op) then there should be no resultant scarring….the treated area must be allowed to dry out in a moist environment, otherwise you may risk possible and unnecessary scarring.

Removal of Skin Growths

Lasers used:
Pigmented areas – (i.e., flat moles, freckles, age spots etc.)
- Q switched Ruby or Nd-YAG lasers.
Raised/fleshy areas –(i.e., skin nodules, naevi or cysts)
- Scanned/Pulsed Carbon Dioxide laser.

Anaesthetic:
This procedure is normally carried out under local anaesthetic, although if there are several areas to treat, sedation can be given.

Indications:
This form of surgery is suitable for most benign growths of the face, from excessive growth of skin (“Rumpole’s nose”) to small moles and freckles. It is important to be clinically sure that the areas to be treated are not potentially serious.

Pigmented/Flat Lesions
The principle of this procedure is to remove colour from the pigmented, flat lesions. This is basically painless, and therefore no anaesthetic is needed at all. However, it is often wise to perform a test patch to ensure that pigmentation changes do not occur in the healed skin, and that the end result is that which the patient is expecting. Post operatively some slight reddening/blistering might occur, this lasts for approximately 48 hours and during this time the treated area needs to be kept dry. More than one procedure is often necessary for deeper or darker areas.

Raised areas (moles, skin tags etc.):
Raised moles etc. do not need colour removal generally, although even if they are slightly pigmented, the principle is the same - to flatten the area level with the normal skin, rather than surgical removal, removing the need for stitches and minimising any scar. On cosmetically important areas such as the face, this leads to major advantages over standard techniques, since the laser can bloodlessly and finely remove the area until it is just level with normal skin. Thus the lesion is not removed, simply made invisible, or as near to that as is possible. Make-up can then be easily applied to completely hide the area if some slight colour difference is present with normal skin. This procedure may cause some discomfort, and therefore local anaesthetic is required. Because it is important to take less rather than more, sometimes a second procedure is required.

Post-operative care:
Skin care is straightforward - simply clean and apply vaseline 4 hourly. This is to avoid scab formation. If a scab does form as a natural dressing, it can be left. However, by cleaning regularly as described, healing occurs within 3 or 4 days usually, allowing make-up to be applied if required. The healing skin below will be red/pink for a variable period of time, up to around 1 month postoperatively. Following this the area treated will be almost invisible, although there may be some slight difference in skin colour or texture as mentioned.

I just want to ask before i go through with this procedure, does anyone know of any other alternatives to this method or has anyone had moles removed via this method?

I need to get something done as i am totally miserable and i am unable to wear short sleeve shirts out and i find it impossible to approach women because of it.

Thu Feb 25, 2010 5:53 am

Hi, I'm pretty sure I had this procedure done in Sydney, Australia as the after care is the same (i.e. vasaline twice a day). It was really effective on the dark moles but not so effective on the lighter/pink moles, although still made a difference. They did say that I might need to return for a second treatment, which I didn't. I would definitely recommend this procedure. I tried to find a clinic that did this in London a few months back but was unaware the procedure was called Co2.

What clinic are you having it done at? How much do they charge? how many moles are you having done? I had about 20 removed about 4 years ago and the darker ones that disappeared almost completely have not returned, which is great.

I am thinking of getting it done again so please do let me know the details.

Thank you

free skin care · Thu Feb 25, 2010 7:58 am

I had my entire face done with the CO2 Laser over a year ago with my upper and lower blephs. Recovery did take me WAY longer than they told me. My face stayed red initially for over a month. I did ooze and scab and peel, but have very sensitive skin. I had a few light moles on my face which were not specifically targeted but were not also not changed in any way.

free skin care · Thu Feb 25, 2010 11:37 am

does it help remove old scar?

free skin care · Fri Feb 26, 2010 7:45 am

Not for me! I still have chicken pox indentions, albeit a little flatter, still there.
It is a lot of recovery on the entire face for a minimal return and maximum cost.

free skin care · Sat Feb 27, 2010 6:58 pm

I've removed a few using Apple Cider Vinegar. I had very good results and it's super cheap, but I would NOT recommend it if it's for your face, because there is a possibility it could leave a scar if you don't do it right.

free skin care · Wed Mar 10, 2010 7:56 am

3rd.oculus wrote:

I've removed a few using Apple Cider Vinegar. I had very good results and it's super cheap, but I would NOT recommend it if it's for your face, because there is a possibility it could leave a scar if you don't do it right.

Intresting.Where do you buy the Apple Cider Vinegar,and what is the instruction with this procedure?
Lately i had read for hours about removing moles on the web,and a product named Dermaterm(i think it was) is recommended.But this seems to be more for larger moles(protruded)and warts.
There are other types of deep peels and acids to buy also.One i looked up on Amazon looked intresting,and i will test it out.
It`s logic that a deep peel should work,but does it leave scar?I read there was a risk,but so is the case with laser.

free skin care · Thu Mar 11, 2010 5:59 pm

I had my face done with the Laser two months ago, I'm not sure whether it's CO2 Laser.

Recovery did take me two weeks until the new skin came out. At that time the places after Laser have indention, not flat. After one month the places turn flat. But now they are still a little red, looks like just recovery from acne.
The doctor told me it usually take half to one year until all pigment remove.

free skin care · Thu Mar 11, 2010 6:06 pm

Liquid nitrogen also works on moles, but my doctor did not recommend that. Liquid nitrogen is difficult to control and need treatment more times. Laser is more accurate about the depth and range. But recovery by liquid nitrogen seems shorter(I'm not sure, my friend told me).

Sunscreen is very important after you take this surgery on face, otherwise, moles will come out again.

Sat Dec 03, 2011 7:20 am

I had a mole on my upper lips a it was such very bad and I want to get rid of these. So finally I decided to go for the mole removal surgery and it was proven an excellent one. I get the mole removed out with the help of mole removal surgery. Go to the moleremovalguide to collect more information about it.

Sat Dec 03, 2011 9:53 am

actually, I found moles growing as I aged. Anyone has an explanation as to why they grow? Also, I have those reddish ones..

I've tried using laser to remove my moles. Not to sure if it's the o2 laser. It's very fast but somewhat painful. Due to my sensitive skin, it also takes about 5-7 days to recover fully.

free skin care · Sat Dec 03, 2011 11:20 am

Intresting!
I can for sure tell you what will NOT work,and that is strong acid treatment.I bought a bottle on Amazon,and i wrote a review to warn people afterwards.
Its not working on the mole,but instead you most likely will affect the surrounding skin.I got a chemical burn,and now,almost a year later,its still a scare after it Shock

I haven`t heard about liquid nitrogen.But i have read about laser.Its said that the result depends of the colour of the mole.The darker,the better result.I have one big,more light brown,i desperately want to remove.I wonder if its enough with one lasertreatment,or do you need several?

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