facial mole removal for the San Francisco Bay Area
Most facial moles look about as appealing as they sound. A small mole on a supermodel's face may be referred to kindly as a "beauty mark," but for the vast majority of men and women, facial moles do nothing except detract from their appearance. A lot of people who have moles on their cheeks, nose, forehead or another area on their face and neck wonder whether they are best off leaving the mole alone or running the risk of an unsightly scar if the mole is removed.
Patients are frequently disappointed with the appearance of an area where a mole has been removed, and many who opt for the surgery with a general practitioner or general surgeon later say they would have preferred to have a facial plastic surgeon perform their procedure. Certainly, your safety and health is the primary goal in any mole removal, but you shouldn't feel like you need to give up an attractive result when having moles removed.
Considering Mole Removal?
As a specialist in facial cosmetic surgery, Dr. David Mabrie has the skill and experience to remove moles in ways that help the remaining skin heal quickly and look its best. Dr. Mabrie works with men and women from throughout the Bay Area including San Francisco, Oakland, Walnut Creek and Pinole. Request a consultation online, call us at 415-445-9513, or email us today.
What is a Mole?
Moles are small growths of the color cells of your skin, known as melanocytes. The growths can be either flat or raised, and in some cases will appear almost the same color as the surrounding skin. A mole may be present and unchanged throughout your life, or new moles may develop over time, particularly in areas that receive substantial sun exposure. Moles that appear on the face can be particularly unappealing.
How is Facial Mole Removal Performed?
First, Dr. Mabrie examines each mole that you want to have removed, taking a history of the development, growth and changes in appearance. If a mole is clearly benign (non-cancerous), Dr. Mabrie will simply shave the mole to make it flat or excise it. Examples of clearly benign moles are those that lack pigment or have been present for many years without change.
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If there is any possibility that a mole may be cancerous, Dr. Mabrie excises the mole and sends the tissue to a pathologist to examine. Some qualities of moles likely to be cancerous include dark and irregular borders around the mole, asymmetrical shape and bleeding or rapid growth. Should the exam indicate the mole is cancerous, it will also note whether all the bad tissue has been removed or whether an additional procedure is necessary.
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A variation of what we typically recognize as a mole is a type of lesion called Dermatosis Papulosis Nigra, or DPN for short. This lesion is most commonly found in patients of African American or Afro-Caribbean decent. They are hyper-pigmented spots, similar to freckles, that are grouped very closely together. Dr Mabrie uses a special medical instrument, known as a Hyfrecator, to send gentle electric pulses to the confined area. This process ultimately removes the dead skin cells, revealing the healthy and balanced pigment layer beneath.
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Why Should I Consider Facial Mole Removal?
Mole removal offers important health and cosmetic benefits. Removal of suspect moles is a proven way to test and guard against cancerous and pre-cancerous growths. Also, your appearance will improve once a facial mole has been removed, in many cases giving you smoother, clearer skin and improving self-esteem.
What Are the Risks Involved?
In general, this type of surgery presents little risk. Infection at the surgical site, allergy to the anesthesia used during the procedure, and scarring are the most common problems patients experience. If Dr. Mabrie has to make an incision to remove a mole, you will be left with a small to medium-size scar. Dr. Mabrie is expertly trained in minimizing scar appearance, helping you to achieve smooth, even skin with minimal imperfections.
The Surgeon For You
Dr. David Mabrie offers:
- Double board certification
- Excellent training & experience
- Specialization in the face and neck
