Mole Removal in Singapore: What is the Healing time for Laser Mole Removal?

Laser mole removal is a medical procedure where the top layer of the skin is opened up on an abnormal mole on the body. The laser beam will be applied to this area, killing off the cells in the mole with heat. This procedure aims to remove any cancerous or pre-cancerous moles, which are dangerous and potentially malignant.

The main ingredient in lasers that help in damaging these cells while leaving healthy tissues behind is carbon dioxide (CO2). These kinds of lasers are helpful because they emit high-energy beams that easily cut through tissue while also preventing damage to surrounding areas due to their higher absorption level by water (which makes up most human tissues). Due to its high energy, it can affect targeted materials without requiring much energy. CO2 lasers are also useful because they can be adjusted to emit light in different wavelengths, which allows the beam to easily pass through thick tissue (with high absorption level) like skin with minimal loss of intensity.

Does Laser Mole Removal Hurt?

Many clients who have had a session of laser mole removal in Singapore would tell you that “it feels like a rubber band snapping against your skin” or that the pain was just slight and tolerable. This is similar to how tattoo needles feel, except that, unlike tattooing, there is no spontaneous bleeding involved and an immediate ink-like result after the procedure. The laser itself does not cut through your skin, so there shouldn’t be any physical blood or gore.

Other than this, typical human reactions to pain are based on the individual’s pain threshold and past experiences with pain. As such, some clients would think laser mole removal is painful, while others wouldn’t find it as such.

In fact, some clients even claim that it feels like a prick from a needle touching their skin lightly. Just to avoid unnecessary discomfort, your dermatologist may prescribe painkillers that can be taken immediately before or after the procedure.

How long does it take for a Mole to Fall Off After Laser Removal?

A lot of people who visit One Face Skin and Aesthetic clinic for laser mole removal in Singapore often ask about how long it takes for a mole to fall off after laser removal. Now, there are several factors that will determine this from how big to how deep the mole is?

The dermatologist can determine mole depth via various methods such as using ultrasound during surgery to cut out your lesion or through an incisional biopsy of your skin lesion. If the mole goes too deep into the subcutaneous tissue, multiple sessions might be necessary because it takes some time for light from a laser to diffuse outwards and reach its target (hence why you will need more than one session).

On average, it usually takes about five days to two weeks for the mole to fall off completely after laser removal, depending on how big your mole was, which areas of skin were used for the procedure, and other elements such as smoking. It is important to keep in mind that since laser mole removal in Singapore is an effective treatment against pre-cancerous cells, it may not kill all abnormal cells at once but instead will spread throughout your body slowly. So even if you did have your session today, the healthy cells around the malignant ones could still remain there for up to several months before they are finally destroyed.

What can you not do After Laser Mole Removal?

After laser mole removal in Singapore, the area treated will be red and puffy immediately post-procedure. There are several aftercare instructions you can expect from your dermatologist, and these are six important things you should avoid during the first 24 hours after treatment, including:

Shaving at or near the treatment site: It is recommended that you let the hairs in the area grow out naturally or use electric clippers that won’t be able to cut your flesh.
Scrubbing or painting over the treated site: You should avoid physical contact with this treatment site for at least 24 hours after the procedure, including scrubbing and even painting!
Blood-thinning medications: These include aspirin, Plavix, and coumadin: These medications will put you at higher risk for excessive bleeding and should not be used within two weeks of laser mole removal.
Sun exposure: It is recommended that the area treated be covered with sunscreen or clothing to prevent excessive sun damage until it looks normal again.
Strenuous activity: Strenuous activities should be avoided at least for the first 24 hours as they can also increase your risks for bleeding.
Alcohol intake: This can thin your blood and put you at risk for excessive bleeding.

Depending on the pigment in the lesion, you may see some bruising and bleeding after the procedure, so it is best to avoid saunas or hot baths.

A note on scarring: Any type of laser treatment (including mole removal) can cause scarring if not done properly. The most important thing in preventing scarring after laser mole removal in Singapore is making sure your dermatologist uses a well-maintained laser (it may not be a wise idea to go to one of those fly-by-night operators who will make you wait for 4 hours before attending to your case or use an old machine).

Another important thing is making sure the dermatologist preps the area properly with either monopolar radiofrequency (RF) or diathermy prior to surgery. RF machines must be tested meticulously, and diathermy cannot be used at all during surgery because this may cause scarring but can only be done after mole removal.

The Bottom Line

Moles removed using lasers have a better chance of being completely removed if they are small, do not have too many hairs growing out of them, and are entirely excised at the surgery rather than cauterized. Laser mole removal is pretty safe, provided your dermatologist has the proper equipment to do so.