Dr. Sam Lam Plastic Surgery Forum

Dr. Lam,

Hello I am 19 years old an I have a flat facial mole, maybe the size of pencil eraser. It sort of resembles Marilyn Monroes " beauty mark ". This mole, has given me very negative effects. I suffer low self essteem an have always wanted it removed. In your opinion, what would be the proper procedure, if I can do anything at all. I have been told there is nothing I can do for it, please let me know. Thankyou so much!

Well, first I would have to see it. Second, I make it a point not to operate on moles that are not within the Dallas-Fort Worth area because of the variability in healing that may mandate multiple visits to get the mole healed well.

As far as techniques for a flat mole, you have more options than a raised one. When it is raised, in most cases I have to remove it surgically with an incision that risks a visible line for quite some time and still some remaining visibility but hopefully only under close inspection after some time. If it is flat, I oftentimes can burn it but then you still risk recurrence, some mild scarring or changes in skin color of being too light (especially if you have dark skin), slightly red or too dark. If that occurs, you may then need an incision to manage it. Therefore, even though you may have more options there is still risk of converting to an incision. The key is to remember that a "mole removal" really entails trading two evils: a mole for a line or a slightly discolored skin area. The trade off is not that you magically have a mole disappear. As far as the line is concerned, if done by me and with adequate multiple follow ups that may require lasering, dermabrasion, etc., you should (but no guarantee) have a line that is very hard to see unless you are close to the face.