Moles

(Naevus)

– What is a nevus?

A nevus is actually a mole, a skin abnormality made up of melanocytes. These are cells that produce melanin and generate skin pigmentation. They can grow out of control, sometimes causing bulging brown spots called moles. They are usually mild, but they can become unsightly or break down to become melanoma. This form of skin cancer can have a poor prognosis if not treated quickly.

– How to treat moles?

The erbium surgical laser or electrocautery procedure is used to treat unsightly moles. The procedure, which is performed under local anesthesia, removes the mole in successive thin layers. The mole treatment produces a scab that will gradually disappear after a week. The redness may persist for several weeks, but it will fade on its own over time. In addition, hyperpigmentation in the treated area is quite common and can be permanent.

– Can a mole come back?

The risk of recurrence is 5%, but it is possible to safely retreat the lesion by treating the dermis more deeply. This is a great way to leave as small a streak as possible while promoting optimal healing.

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