Unsightly scars and moles have presented problems for men and women for centuries. Scars and moles are generally considered unsightly, disfiguring and unacceptable by many people.

What causes scars & moles?

Scars form as part of the skin's healing process whenever multiple layers of skin are injured. The injury may be the result of an accident, surgery, a burn or even severe acne.

In the past, cryosurgery (freezing), excision, steroid injections and the use of topical creams and ointments were the standard of care for the treatment of scars and moles. The results of these treatments range from fair to minimal, with recurrences commonly seen after many of these treatment options.

New Laser Technology

Today, several new laser techniques are available to treat a wide variety of scars and moles.

The laser's energy stimulates the skin under the scar and causes the fibroblasts in the skin to begin to divide again. It also stimulates the production of collagen. This thickens the skin under the scar until it closely resembles the surrounding normal skin.

Do laser scar and moles treatments hurt?

Most patients do not require anesthetic. Some patients have indicated that they feel a slight tingling when the laser pulses, or that the laser pulse feels like the snap of a rubber band against the skin.

What should you expect after treatment?

Results vary from patient to patient and may not be immediate. Results from laser scar and mole treatment are generally progressive and may require multiple treatments. If you respond to the first treatment, your second treatment will usually be as good as the first, and the third treatment will be almost as good. About 70% of patients receiving laser treatments for their moles notice a marked improvement. Newer and shallower moles and scars respond better than older and deeper scars and moles. To enhance the results of your laser treatments your surgeon may recommend the use of tretinoin cream or a glycolic acid cream prior to and after your laser treatments.

Find out if your scars or moles might be improved by laser treatments. Call our office and schedule a laser consultation.

Do laser treatments work?

Our current laser technology has been shown to improve or eliminate red or raised scars. Recent studies have demonstrated that laser treatments stimulate the production of collagen and improve or eliminate moles.

Additional studies show that the appearance of moles continues to improve over a period of time ranging from 3 to 6 months after the laser treatment was given. Even those treatments that showed little if any initial improvement showed as much as a 50% improvement at their 6 month checkup.

Does the treatment cause discoloration?

The skin in the immediate treatment area may be red for up to two weeks, but it does not usually cause any discoloration or other markings on the skin. The low power setting of the laser only stimulates the skin and does not harm any healthy tissue.

Who are the best candidates for laser scar and mole removal?

The patients that respond the best to laser treatment for scars and moles are those with:

• Fair complexion and light pigmentation
• Shallow scars or moles.

Note: Patients with a history of Vitilago, pigmentation disorders, dark tans or dark pigmentation may require an initial skin test for evaluation prior to treatment.

What else can lasers treat?

Lasers are used to treat a variety of skin conditions including: