If you have a flat mole on your face, you’re probably worried about whether or not your removal experience will be scary and painful and if it’s possible to remove your mole at all.
Flat moles are most common amongst people between the ages of 10 and 40 and the good news is that they can be removed.
Causes of Flat Moles
Also known as melanocytic, flat moles are usually brown or semi-black in colour, small and harmless, however, there are cases where they can cause skin cancer.
There are several reasons why a flat mole might develop on your face:
UV Exposure. Staying in the sun for long periods of time and regularly burning your skin can cause flat moles to form on your face. If you’re not protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, these moles have the potential to develop into a melanoma.
Hormones. Hormonal changes can be another cause of your flat moles. Everyone experiences different hormonal changes, particularly during certain life events or periods of their life – pregnancy, puberty and diseases such as diabetes all cause hormonal changes.
Genetics. Your genes are another factor that could be at play, with your race and skin tone determining how prone you are to flat moles.
When to See a Doctor
In most cases, flat moles are harmless but if new moles start to develop later on in life or a facial mole is affecting your self-esteem, it might be time to see a doctor that specialises in mole removal
(https://www.thedoc.com.au/treatments/laser-mole-removal-melbourne/).
There are also a few signs that you should look out for that could indicate a mole is a potential problem:
- Skin itchiness and irritation
- A change in the mole’s colour
- A change in the mole’s size
- Pain
- Bleeding
Flat Mole Removal Options
Flat moles can be removed and while you may have heard of special home remedies and creams that can help, it’s always better to see a professional to avoid damaging your skin.
Surgical excision is one option but laser mole removal offers fewer side effects and no downtime. It’s also a better option if the mole is on your face, which is a delicate area that you don’t want to scar.
With that being said, before you consider any mole removal options, it’s important for a qualified doctor to evaluate your mole first. The reason for this is that a laser will remove the colour from the mole, which means you will be unable to detect any changes in colour.
A doctor will be able to decide whether it’s best to first biopsy the mole before removing it, which is always a safer step.
In terms of the doctor carrying out your laser mole removal procedure, do your research to make sure that he/she has the relevant experience and is using medical-grade equipment. Not just anyone should be treating moles with a laser so asking the right questions during your consultation is key.
