Ask Dr. Schultz
Mole treatments
I am interested to learn more about mole treatments. I have fair Asian skin but I have noticed over the years (currently 25) I have increased pigment in my skin causing tiny moles on my cheeks and over my face. I wanted to know if laser treatment is safe for my face, and if it will leave small scars? Or are there actually products that will get rid of my moles without doing a laser treatment. Thanks a lot!
The best treatment for tiny “moles” on the cheeks depends on whether they are in fact moles or other types of growths, whether they are flat or raised, and their size.
Asian skin is prone to developing very small raised tan/brown bumps which are really thickenings of normal skin and are called “seborrheic keratoses” or “dermatosis papulosis nigra”. They are easily removed by a simple technique called curettage done by a dermatologist and do not require laser treatment. Because Asian skin darkens (hyperpigments) so easily, only one or two should be removed as a trial to make sure healing is satisfactory before removing the rest.
Finally, to determine if someone’s “moles” are really moles (which are never removed with laser treatments) or different types of growths (like the ones I have described above or even other growths), one needs to consult with a board certified dermatologist (see http://www.aad.org) who specializes in dermatologic surgery.