In this article, you will find answers to all your questions about mole removal methods, how moles are erased, removal costs, and mole treatments.
Moles come in various forms, ranging from 1-2 mm to 30-40 mm, and can be flat or raised. Due to these differences, there are many varieties of moles.
Several factors influence the cost of treatment, with the most important being the type of mole. Additionally, the technology used, the applied method (laser, radiofrequency, plasma, electrocautery), and materials used in surgery, such as stitches, contribute to the overall cost.
The most accurate mole removal cost can be determined through an examination. If the patient is at a distance from the clinic, a detailed photograph can also be used for pricing.
While Idea Clinic branches prefer to finalize costs during an examination, sending a photo allows for an estimate to be provided by consulting with the specialist doctor at the intended branch.
This way, you can find out approximately what you will pay before coming in for your appointment.
Non-Surgical Methods for Mole Removal
Mole removal procedures can be performed without surgery using various methods. These methods include:
Radiofrequency Mole Removal
Radiofrequency is a treatment method developed after laser therapy, and it was first used at Idea Clinic in Turkey 20 years ago. Due to its excellent results, it has spread throughout Turkey, and many clinics have adopted this technique.
It can treat moles using laser, plasma, and electrocautery. In fact, approximately 95% of moles recommended for surgery can be removed non-surgically with radiofrequency.
The radiofrequency procedure is completed in 1-2 minutes. The mole is removed in quarter-millimeter layers with a very sharp device until a clean surface is reached. The procedure provides definitive results, and the removed mole does not reappear. A second session may be needed around 3-5% of the time months after the procedure, and if a second session is required, no additional fee is charged.
The radiofrequency procedure causes minimal discomfort, to the extent that regional anesthesia is not necessary. It is even less painful than the pain experienced during regional anesthesia.
Once healing is complete, there is generally no noticeable scar (1).
Laser Mole Removal
Although its effectiveness may not match that of radiofrequency, laser mole removal is more popular as it has been in use for a longer period (2).
Several types of lasers are used, including IPL, carbon dioxide, erbium, and fractional lasers.
IPL laser is only applied to moles that are dark-colored and not raised from the skin. It is applied in sessions at 3-4 week intervals until the mole disappears. A thin layer peels off without any wounds.
Other lasers are effective immediately. Laser light with high heat is directed onto the mole, causing it to burn. The laser burning process continues until the desired depth is reached.
A wound of the size of the mole is formed, and depending on this wound size, it heals in 10-20 days. There is a period of redness for the next 2 months. This redness period is known as the hypervascularization period, and it resolves on its own.
The hypervascularization period is a physiological process observed after every mole removal procedure and even after any type of injury.
The amount of remaining scar is approximately the same as with other non-surgical methods.
Plasma Pen Mole Removal
Plasma energy, or more precisely electrical energy, is utilized to transform the upper layer of the skin into plasma through sublimation, eliminating blemishes. It is primarily used for superficial blemishes rather than mole removal, and it may fall short of meeting the patient’s expectations.
When performed by experienced hands, the application is quite straightforward, yielding excellent results without significant issues. It is commonly used for treating sunspots on the hands and face, removing the very thin brown layer on the skin.
While the plasma pen is an easily accessible device, seeking services from an experienced doctor is crucial, as it can potentially lead to serious adverse effects.
Cauterization for Mole Burning
It is a type of burning method, also known as electrocautery. It is removed by burning in layers with an electric arc (3). The use of cautery has decreased with the introduction of radiofrequency. Since more burns (lateral thermal damage) occur at the edge of the application area, the likelihood of scarring is higher. It should be used with caution.
Mole Removal Surgery
Public hospitals are generally reluctant to deal with moles as they are more focused on major surgeries. However, if the patient insists, they may remove them by cutting in a small operating room (4).
In private clinics, the situation is different, or more precisely, the approach is quite different. If a patient goes to a clinic where surgical procedures are performed, the clinic staff, instead of suggesting non-surgical treatment, may recommend surgery using the charm of the word “operation” to charge a much higher treatment fee.
Clinics that prioritize patient satisfaction over the economic aspect are more likely to recommend and implement non-surgical methods using technological approaches. Many moles that could be treated without surgery are removed through this logic. This belief may also arise from the doctor’s lack of knowledge about other methods.
It can be said with confidence that 90% of moles removed surgically can be taken much more easily and without leaving a surgical scar using non-surgical methods.
If the clinic you visit insists on the need for surgery, inquire persistently about the reasons. However, do not make a decision immediately. Seek a second opinion from another clinic or doctor, especially one specializing in mole treatment and applying non-surgical methods, and compare the two before deciding on the most appropriate method for you.
References
1- Bosniak, S., & Cantisano-Zilkha, M. (2001). Radio-surgery: A 25 year history of scarless mole removal. Operative Techniques in Oculoplastic, Orbital and Reconstructive Surgery, 4(2), 109-112.
2- Nadgaran, H., & Mahmoodi, M. (2012). Photothermal Effect of Laser on Mole Removal: Analytical Model and Laser Suitability. Journal of Biomedical Physics and Engineering, 2(1).
3- Mirza, S. (2009). Benign skin tumours. InnovAİT.
4- Tursen, U., Kaya, T. I., & Ikizoglu, G. (2003). Surgical approach to benign small papular and dome‐shaped melanocytic naevi on the face. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2(3‐4), 175-179.
