Laser hair removal and moles: reviews and warnings

What are moles and what can they be like?

The appearance of moles on the legs, bikini area and other parts of the body is genetically determined. If one of the parents had many birthmarks on their body, they are guaranteed to be passed on to the child, and may appear in the same places.

Birthmarks can be not only congenital, but also acquired; they appear on the body throughout life, the rate of their growth can significantly accelerate closer to old age . Existing nevi can change in diameter, relief and shade, some of them completely disappear after a few years.

In international medicine, there are 2 types of moles: benign and malignant. Birthmarks of a benign nature do not pose a threat to life, and in most cases do not change in appearance. As for malignant melanomas, they are quite rare and are diagnosed in only 1 person out of 1000. Unlike an ordinary nevus, melanoma is quite dangerous and can provoke the occurrence of oncological pathologies. To identify it, you need to undergo an examination by an oncodermatologist and carry out the necessary diagnostics.

Which is better: surgitron or laser

Mortality from degenerated moles and papillomas is high. Melanoma, which is formed from damaged nevi, gives many metastases to internal organs.

Early identification of the problem and treatment with highly effective drugs and procedures will help save the patient’s life.

Papillomas are caused by HPV. The latter is a dangerous virus that slowly destroys epithelial cells in the human body. Malignancy of the tissue occurs. There are more than 100 types of papillomaviruses; only some strains cause serious pathologies.

Thanks to the development of medicine, the mortality rate from both diseases has been reduced. Laser and radio wave therapy treats warts, moles, and condylomas quickly and effectively. Both methods have similar properties: they remove formations painlessly, do not leave scars, and are carried out on an outpatient basis in a short period of time.

Which method of dealing with skin growths to choose is determined by the attending physician together with the patient. In addition to indications and contraindications, the patient’s financial capabilities are taken into account.

Laser surgery differs from radio wave procedure technology and mechanism of action. The laser burns out the mole and promotes thrombosis of small vessels that supply blood to the benign tumor. This action prevents the spread of metastases and minimizes blood loss. After removal, a crust remains on the pathological site, protecting the wound from infection. After a week it disappears. There are no traces left of the nevus.

Radio wave surgery destroys tumors by applying thermal energy to them. Methods indicated for treatment:

Pigmented, vascular neoplasms.
Fibromas and old areas of keratoses.
The methods are used to treat cancer in situ to prevent the spread of atypical cells through the bloodstream and the formation of secondary lesions.
Laser and radio wave surgery is used for gynecological diseases that easily turn into cancer. Among them are dysplasia and leukoplakia of the cervix.
The procedures are performed in patients with benign diseases of the urinary canal (fibromas, papillomas).

Both methods of treating growths are considered effective. They can be used in hard-to-reach places (face, eyelids, armpits). The main difference between a laser and a radio knife is that small scars may remain.

A common disadvantage of the methods is their high cost. There is a high risk of malignancy of moles, their serious consequences put health above money. Removing moles with surgitron or a popular laser saves the patient’s life. Do not skimp on your own health, choose only high-quality treatments.

How to determine the type of mole

It is almost impossible to independently distinguish a nevus from a melanoma, since outwardly such neoplasms are very similar to each other. As a rule, benign birthmarks are small in size, have clear contours and a uniform structure. Most of these moles are flat, but some nevi may rise slightly above the surface of the skin.

You can suspect melanoma based on the following signs:

excessive growth. If an old mole begins to rapidly increase in size and grow, this may indicate the onset of an oncological process;
uneven blurry edges;
asymmetry;
the occurrence of periodic bleeding for no apparent reason and injury;
changing the shade to a darker one.

Oncologists assure that even if a person has most of these symptoms, this does not always indicate degeneration into a malignant tumor, since old nevi can also transform during life.

Reference! To protect yourself from negative consequences, if questionable symptoms occur, you need to urgently visit a doctor who will examine the moles and determine their type.

How is the procedure performed?

Before removing a birthmark, you must consult an oncologist if:

increasing the size of the birthmark;
the appearance of pain and/or itching in the mole area;
changes in nevus color;
compaction and bleeding of the neoplasm.

After consulting a doctor, for cosmetic removal of moles using the radio wave method, special preparation of the patient is not required. The procedure is carried out strictly by appointment. At the appointed time, the patient is examined by the operating surgeon, and if there are no contraindications, the operation begins. Before surgery begins, the nurse administers local anesthesia with an injection or a local anesthetic. Directly during the removal of the mole, it is evaporated. Under the influence of “Surgitron”, only those cells that are subject to removal are susceptible to destruction, and nearby tissues are not injured. The procedure is carried out in one stage and takes 5-20 minutes, depending on the type and number of moles to be removed. With this surgical intervention, blood loss is minimal and postoperative swelling does not form.

Is it possible to do laser hair removal for moles?

Many girls are worried and do not dare to undergo laser hair removal because they know that solar radiation damages the structure of surface tissues and often leads to the formation of malignant tumors. But experts assure that the laser beam has a completely different effect and has nothing to do with solar radiation.

Despite the fact that the presence of melanomas on the skin and other growths of malignant origin is an absolute contraindication for hair removal, the laser beam itself does not cause cancer. Dermatologists and oncologists assure that if there are benign moles on the body, there is no need to worry that they will begin to transform into melanoma after laser hair removal. This assumption is erroneous and has no scientific basis.

Laser beam and birthmarks

Numerous clinical studies have confirmed that laser hair removal for moles is a completely safe procedure. Regardless of the wavelength and power, the beam cannot activate the process of degeneration of a nevus into malignant melanoma.

Dermatologists claim that rays whose length varies between 300-400 nm are relatively dangerous, but they are not used for laser systems intended for hair removal.

Most of these devices produce beams with an indicator of 840-900 nm. Despite the fact that this length has a detrimental effect on the hair follicles, it is completely harmless to the skin.

But experts warn that in order to eliminate the risk of complications, it is recommended to see a dermatologist before the procedure, especially if there are dubious growths on the body.

The problem with laser hair removal on moles is completely different. Due to the fact that nevi contain a large amount of melanin, they absorb part of the light, which affects the effectiveness of hair removal and sometimes leads to minor burns. To prevent the occurrence of such side effects, birthmarks are painted over with a thick white pencil before the procedure.

Advantages and disadvantages of the radio wave method

Removing moles using the radio wave method involves concentrating high-frequency waves.

The operation is performed using a radioknife, which allows you to gradually remove layer by layer, removing the nevus along with a small area of healthy skin around it.

Clinics use the Surgitron device, which incorporates all the principles of radiosurgery. Removal can occur at home, with the exception of formations in dangerous areas (face, eyes, intimate places). Only a surgeon can remove nevi in these areas.

The technique has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include:

The duration of the procedure is no more than 20 minutes;
no bleeding;
painless excision;
does not affect the healthy surface of the skin, healing occurs quickly;
easy wound care after the procedure;
the intervention can be performed on an outpatient basis;
does not leave scars or scars;
there is no burn on the skin compared to laser;
the ability to make histology of the excised element;
The doctor can adjust the depth of penetration of radio waves.

The disadvantages include:

in comparison with the surgical method, the procedure is more expensive;
Large nevi cannot be removed.

The method has proven itself on the positive side. In some cases, only using the radio wave method can you remove moles in problem areas (upper, lower eyelids, intimate areas).

Contraindications to laser hair removal for moles

Doctors assure that the presence of benign moles on the legs and bikini area is not a contraindication for the procedure. If a woman is sure that all nevi on her body are benign, she can safely sign up for a laser hair removal session.

It is necessary to postpone the procedure only if there are melanomas and other neoplasms of malignant origin on the skin . Also, laser hair removal is not recommended if you have birthmarks that are in a precancerous state.

Read how to get rid of red spots on your legs after depilation.
And here’s what to do if pustules appear in the bikini area after sugaring.

The working principle of a radio wave knife

The basis of Surgitron's operation is high-frequency radio waves (3.8-4.0 MHz). Such waves cause evaporation of liquid inside skin cells or mucous membranes. That is, the cells themselves actually evaporate. At the same time, the surrounding cells, to which the radio wave is not directed, do not evaporate.

Due to the directed action of radio waves, trauma to surrounding tissues is minimal, even less than when exposed to a laser. Therefore, the consequences are milder - the frequency of scarring on the skin after exposure to a radioknife is significantly less than after exposure to a laser.

This is why radio wave treatment is often used on the face, cervix and genitals, especially in nulliparous women. That is, where the skin or mucous membrane is very delicate and thin, and where scar formation is undesirable.

Circular loop waveguide (pictured)

Triangular loop waveguide (pictured)

Ball waveguide electrode (pictured)

Waveguide scalpel (pictured)

According to doctors, a radio knife is better.

Speed of operation
Bloodless operation
Minimal pain after surgery
Significantly less swelling of surrounding tissues
Fast wound healing after surgery
There is practically no inflammation or suppuration of the wound after a radioknife
Significantly less scarring after surgery, better consequences

When cauterized with nitrogen, a bubble is formed, often containing blood. When exposed to radio waves, a bubble does not form.
After nitrogen, severe pain in the affected area for 1-2 days. After the radioknife there is practically no pain.
Skin injury from liquid nitrogen 1-2 cm around. There is no skin trauma from the radioknife around the impact.
The bubble bursts, then heals within 2 weeks. The wound from the radio knife heals immediately under the crust within 5-7 days.
Nitrogen leaves a noticeable scar. After a radio knife, the scar is either invisible or completely absent.

The surrounding tissues are less damaged (2-3 times)
No burn of surrounding tissues
Shorter wound healing period
Less scarring after the incision – better consequences
Better control over the process of tumor removal by the surgeon

Many surgeons know how important it is to control the depth of tissue incision not only visually, but also tactilely (with a scalpel or apparatus). The laser does not give such a feeling. But the radio knife gives such a feeling. This is also why most surgeons prefer a radioknife in their work.

Surgitron works by generating high frequency radio waves. When exposed to the human body, they lead to the evaporation of fluid from cells (skin or mucous membranes). In fact, we can say that only the cells themselves evaporate, while the areas surrounding them remain completely intact, the radio wave does not affect them.

The accumulation of high-frequency energy occurs at the very end of the active electrode. When a doctor points such a surgical instrument at tissues, they are exposed to high-frequency waves. As a result of tissue resistance, heat is released, which causes the cutting effect. There is a surge of intracellular molecular energy, heating the tissue and evaporating the cells.

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It is often used for interventions on the face and delicate areas of the genital organs, in particular on the cervix.

Due to the directed action of radio waves, trauma to surrounding tissues is minimal, even less than when exposed to a laser. Therefore, the consequences are milder - the frequency of scars on the skin after exposure to a radioknife is much less than after exposure to a laser.

Reviews

More than 90% of women who underwent laser hair removal were satisfied with the result and assure that the treatment had no effect on the condition of the moles.
Ekaterina, 24 years old: “I experimented with different methods of hair removal, but they all gave a temporary effect.
All my friends recommended that I get laser hair removal, but I still didn’t dare to do it because I have a lot of small moles on my legs. But then I was introduced to a cosmetologist, and she convinced me that laser does not cause cancer. In the end, I made up my mind. I was very pleased with the result, my legs became completely smooth after 4 sessions and stubble has not appeared for more than 6 months! As for the moles, they remained as they were.”

Olga, 36 years old: “I constantly do laser hair removal of the bikini area, despite the fact that I have a rather large birthmark in my intimate area. In general, I have been doing this procedure for more than 4 years, and during this time it has not affected the condition of the mole in any way. The growth remained exactly the same as it was before the hair was removed.”

Inna, 34 years old: “I’ve been doing laser hair removal on my legs for many years, and this is a real salvation for me. Before treatment, the cosmetologist carefully covers all moles or simply paints them over, so I am not afraid to conduct a session. The master herself assured me that the laser is completely safe for nevi.”