Blog Entries tagged 'Moles'

Can moles on the face be removed without surgical treatment?

questions@skintour.com — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The short answer to this is no. True moles, and there are several different types of moles, can't be removed without surgery. You will always trade a mole for a scar. The question really is .... is it a good trade? Ideally, the scar is much less visible and noticeable than the original mole. More info here on methods to surgically remove moles and the type of scar they make.

Also, in general dermatologists don't recommend trying to use lasers fo [...]

I got quite a bit of sun after my laser treatment. What are my risks?

questions@skintour.com — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

There really isn't a good answer for this because there is no data on it. But, from a common sense approach, your best bet is to get skin exams regularly - once or twice a year - with your dermatologist. That way any changes in your moles or your skin will be caught early. As you know, when skin cancers are diagnosed early, they can usually be cured. Bottom line - see your dermatologist regularly. More information on moles. Dr. I

Brown Spots

jeff@fdgweb.com — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0100

I'm hearing a lot of frustration about brown spots among my patients and SkinTour users. Why can't they just be easily removed???

Here's why - there are many different kinds of brown spots even though some of them may look the same! Of the raised brown spots you have moles, seborrheic keratoses (I call these little barnacles), some skin cancers, skin tags, some cysts, etc. Of the flat brown spots, you have lentigoes (lentigines), some moles, some skin cancers, melasma, post inflammator [...]

Who Needs Mole Checks?

jeff@fdgweb.com — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

If you are low risk, your primary care doctor can check your moles. If you are high risk, see a dermatologist. How do you know which you are?

You are higher risk if you have a personal or family history of skin cancers especially melanomas, if you have very fair skin which burns or freckles easily, if you have over 20 moles on your body, if you've had a lot of sun exposure or have a history of blistering sunburns, and if you have used tanning beds on a regular basis.

See Dr. Irwin [...]

What is the best way to remove a mole on the upper lip?

questions@skintour.com — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

If you want the hair removed permanently with the mole, than your dermatologist will need to remove it surgically with stitches. If you don't mind plucking a few hairs there, than he/she could just shave it flat which would be safer in terms of possible adverse scar.

In my opinion, if you decide to go the first route, have either a board certified plastic surgeon or a board certified dermatologist who is a Mohs surgeon do the surgery. Some dermatologists advertis [...]

An Ounce of Prevention - Healthy Skin For the New Year

jeff@fdgweb.com — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

It can be all too easy to put off dealing with skin issues. For medical issues, take an inventory of problems, even seemingly minor ones. Minor issues left unattended can become much bigger problems.

Here'a list to start with:

Do you need a mole check? Do you have chronically scaley feet, which can be a type of athlete's foot (which can spread to the toenails)? Do you have problems with recurrent eczema or psoriasis? There are new treatments for these. Do you have unexplained s [...]

What is the best way to remove a mole on the face?

questions@skintour.com — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

For this you'll need a dermatologic surgeon (sometimes called a "Mohs" surgeon) or a plastic surgeon. And yes, you are always trading a mole for a small scar. It's just a question of making very sure it's a good trade. The upper lip and the nose especially are tough areas to get a good result because there isn't as much skin to work with and you don't want to change the contour of either.

Whether a shave (taking flat with the skin - n [...]