Many people have facial moles that they feel are quite fashionable and attractive, however, others have moles that they feel self-conscious about or even find itchy or irritating For this reason, mole removal is a very highly sought after procedure. At Solomon Facial Plastic, we specialize in mole removal procedures. Dr. Philip Solomon, an Otolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeon practicing facial cosmetic plastic surgery has nearly 20 years experience removing unwanted moles from many patients ranging in ages and ethnicities, from across Toronto and Canada.
A mole is a collection of skin growths composed of pigment-producing skin cells. They are most common on sun-exposed areas of the body such as the arms, back, legs, and face. Some patients have them from birth or shortly after being born, similar to a birthmark.
Other patients have seen their moles develop over time, sometimes growing larger and becoming raised above the skin surface. These moles are known as compound nevus. The primary cause of moles is sunlight and genes. In certain cases, moles become darker or irregular and require assessment, and frequently excisional biopsy to ensure they do not represent a dysplastic nevus or a melanoma.
Moles affect people of all ages and backgrounds. They appear nearly anywhere on the body and are generally not a cause for concern. That being said, they should always be monitored and reviewed every year to guard against irregularities.
There are many reasons why patients seek out Dr. Philip Solomon to remove their unwanted moles. For the vast majority, it’s because the presence of their moles does not make them feel confident in their appearance. For these patients, removing a mole can make a huge difference in the way they look and feel. If you have a single mole or multiple moles that you would like to potentially remove, there are a number of options available to you. The first step in the mole removal process is your consultation with Dr. Solomon so that you can address your aesthetic goals. Commonly facial moles that are closer to the middle of the face, or that are raised or dark, cause more significant cosmetic concerns.
The appearance of a mole is often normal. In fact, most people have them. If they’re making you feel self-conscious or uncomfortable about the way you look, having them removed can have a major impact. There are three surgical options for mole removal. The first is known as shave excision, the second is laser removal with co2 laser. The third procedure is a surgical ellipse excision. With shave excision, we use a device known as the Elman Surgitron. Here, the mole is shaved flat to the skin but no surgical excision scar is created. With laser removal, the mole is ablated or evaporated. In surgical excision, there is removal and suture closure of the wound. It is our ultimate goal to ensure that any scars from surgical removal that form are as unnoticeable as possible. These marks will continue to fade over time and there are many things you can do to help along the healing process and/or to cover them up while they heal.
The recovery process for a mole removal is typically straightforward. Most patients find that they have minimal downtime and can expect to feel comfortable enough to return to work and get on with their daily activities immediately.
You are permitted to shower the day after the procedure. The incision is allowed to get wet. Due to the fact that the procedure is quick and simple the recovery process is generally straightforward. Dr. Solomon and his team of medical professionals will go over all the details with you in order to ensure that you are comfortable with the process, that all your questions are answered, and that your results are optimized.
When removing a mole, it is important that the area that is to be treated will be clean. Depending on the cosmetic surgeon’s preferences, this will be done either with chlorohexidine, Betadine, or another suitable skin prep. After the area has been cleaned, the cosmetic surgeon will numb the area with an anesthetic.
The surgeon will then shave the mole off with the Elman surgical device, flush or slightly below the level of the skin. If a laser is used, the setup is the same except laser eye protection is used. The lesion is similarly removed to the level of the skin surface. In cases where the lesion is surgically excised, small nylon sutures are used and removed in approximately one week.
Dr. Philip Solomon has been treating moles in the Toronto area for almost 2 decades with lasers, Elman Surgitron, and surgical excision. Mole removal is a procedure that we specialize in and treat with great care and expertise. Every patient is unique in terms of what their goal is and how their mole presents itself, which ultimately determines the technique required for its removal. During your consultation with Dr. Solomon, he will assess your mole(s) to determine the most appropriate course of action. The ideal candidates for mole removal are going to be those with smaller moles, skin tags, and/or new or flat moles.
There are a variety of benign, non cancerous skin lesions that many people present with. Benign skin lesions that commonly are removed for cosmetic purposes include moles, skin tags, and warts among other things. A skin lesion does not necessarily represent a disease but is merely a way to identify anything that abnormally appears in growth on the skin. As discussed, mole removal is a very simple procedure that many patients seek in order to improve their appearance and to remove that unwanted growth.
Skin tag removal is also highly popular. These generally appear on the neck, in the armpits, and/or on one’s chest. They are highly common and generally harmless. If you have one or multiple skin tags and you are seeking skin tag removal, this is something that we would be happy to help with.
Wart removal is another example. A wart is generally caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and is considered to be a small, rough growth or bump on the skin. Generally speaking, warts vary quite a bit in size and appearance though they do tend to resemble something of a cauliflower in most cases. Warts are often treated with cryotherapy i.e. freeze or chemical removal with an acid. Surgery is not usually recommended for warts but if there is a reason to remove it or if you have been recommended for wart removal, we would be happy to schedule a consultation to assess it.
All mole removal procedures offered at Solomon Facial Plastic are controlled and nearly bloodless. There is no need to be wary of the procedure itself. Lasers, for example, are a simple, fast, effective, and safe tool, that can be used to remove a wide array of lesion types, including freckles, age spots, birthmarks, and some vascular lesions among a variety of different lesion-related conditions.
It is not uncommon for patients to come in with one or more lesions on, or around their face. This is the most common patient we see. These types of growths can be overwhelming, unpleasant, and can cause significant distress while affecting your confidence levels.
If you have a lesion such as this or perhaps have one that is inconveniencing you by rubbing up against clothing, this is what often prompts patients to seek out lesion removal.
We also must advise all of our patients to never try removing a lesion or mole at home. There are many dangerous outcomes that can occur as a result. It can cause a permanent disfigurement such as a suboptimal scar and/or can cause an infection. It is important that you seek help from a professional surgeon to address such matters in the safest way possible.
Skin lesion removal can employ a variety of differing techniques, ranging from simple biopsies to more complex surgical procedures. These techniques are used to remove lesions that range from benign growths to malignant melanoma. Many times lesions are removed by physicians to ensure it is not cancerous, and, if it proves cancerous, to prevent its spread to other parts of the body.
Some complex techniques can involve procedures such as excision with a scalpel, electro-surgery, or laser surgery. These procedures will most likely be performed by a dermatologic surgeon or plastic surgeon or Otolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeon practicing Facial Plastic surgery such as Dr. Philip Solomon.
Laser surgery can also be applied to a variety of skin lesions, ranging from spider veins to more extensive blood vessel lesions called haemangioma.
The Ellman Machine is a patented Surgitron Dual Frequency unit, using advanced radio-wave technology, and demonstrating unparalleled surgical control, precision, versatility, and safety. Its high frequency of 4.0MHz minimizes heat dissipation that minimizes cellular alteration. Clinical benefits include reduced post-operative discomfort, minimal scar tissue formation, and maximum readability of histologic specimen, enhanced healing and excellent cosmetic results. For further inquiries into our mole and lesion removal procedures using the Ellman Machine, please contact us with your questions and concerns.
Dr. Philip Solomon, an Otolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeon practicing Facial Plastic Surgery, is a highly skilled double board-certified surgeon, specializing in a range of techniques addressing mole and lesion removal. Through a consultation, Dr. Solomon will offer his medical knowledge and choose the removal option that is best, and most comfortable for you.
Dr. Solomon’s clinic provides the most professional, effective service in mole and lesion removal, and our team of medical professionals would be happy to discuss and answer any questions you may have about your mole or lesion removal. Solomon Nasal and Facial Surgery Centre in Thornhill, just north of Toronto, features the latest in cutting-edge technologies as well as more traditional procedures that can be used to treat lesion removal. All of our services are provided by Dr. Philip Solomon, and a team of professionally trained and certified staff under his direct supervision.
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