Removing a mole from the skin by the laser method should be carefully discussed with the doctor beforehand, because the procedure has some disadvantages, a skin specialist advises.
Pigments might remain in the skin underneath the lasered spot, resulting in the return of the skin growth even larger than before, warns Andreas Jesper, a member of the Professional Association of German Dermatologists.
Removal with a scalpel may be preferable in some cases.
Extremely common and usually harmless, moles often appear as small, dark brown spots and are caused by clusters of pigmented cells.
No tissue-sample test is conducted after cosmetic laser removal of a mole, so the patient will never be 100-per-cent sure that the site was not cancerous, Jesper added. He said a good doctor will explain these downsides before conducting the laser procedure.
He also noted that younger patients need to be told about the risks of mole removal. They are more prone than older people to "excessive wound healing," which can lead to raised and unsightly scars.