LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

I have a raised mole, about 1/4 inch wide and 1/8 of an inch raised. It is right next to my nostril and above my lip, so is not in the fold of my nose - it is right on my face. It's flesh colored and has been there for about 30 years. A few doctors have said to excise it completely, and others have said to shave it because a scar might 'dogear'. Not sure what to do but I do know I'm absolutely ready to get rid of it!

can you post a photo on here?
s.

Sure - I have attached a pic. Thanks for your help with this. Much appreciated!

ok, very helpful. if you shave it off, it will definitely come back. think of the top side being a reflection of the bottom side. you have as much tissue below the skin as above it.

if you cut it out, it is in an area that is hard to close and can lead to some scarring, which can be unfavorable.

in an ideal world, what i typically offer a patient with such a sensitive location is a shave first and burning to reduce and contract the area, then 6 months to a year later an excision knowing full well that it could lead to some unfavorable scarring. i wish it were easier.
best,
s.

Thanks so much! Lastly, I wonder if it's just better to go and get it excised straight away knowing that ultimately it's going to come back if it's shaved? That way I deal with one procedure and it's just a bit more time towards scar healing. Also, is there any kind of dermatological procedure (microderm, lasering, etc) that would ultimately help to smooth the scar?
I really appreciate your time and expert opinion. Thank you so much!

ultimately that is up to you. i like to shrink difficult to treat areas with shaving first so that i can shrink the tissue where the cut will be but i understand your desire for one treatment. yes, mechanical dermabrasion (not micro) can help with scars down the road.

Thanks so much! Given me something to think about for this procedure...

cool.

I have a similar mole. So you're saying there isn't a chance to completely remove it without either scaring or it coming back?

shaving = coming back
excision = possible scarring but with good technique, good follow up, and some good fortune maybe not.

dr. lam wrote:excision = possible scarring but with good technique, good follow up, and some good fortune maybe not.

Hi Dr Lam.
This statement you said, my surgeon I spoke with at the consultation said there was a 99% chance that it wont come back. Can you go into more details on how it could come back? I would of thought once its been cut off it is gone for good.

Thanks.

a mole has depth. the top portion is a reflection of the bottom portion under the skin (like an iceberg). if it is very very flat, and you do a little burning, it won't come back. if it is raised then it will most likely come back but it might take a year or more for it to start coming back, sometimes years later.
s.

I'm not sure if I should start a new topic or continue in this one but here goes. (I will start a new topic if needed)

I have a mole on my forehand just above my right eyebrows. Mole is 4mm diameter and is raised.
If it was excise, will start coming back years later?
Also about the area it is located. Is it a good place to have it excision at? as in, there wont be a problem during the procedure (cutting and stitching since the skin is pretty tight and located near the eye) and healing process.

Thanks.

if you shave it it will come back but if you excise it in your skin color it could have a bit of a scar and take some time to heal to look optimal. you might consider a shave followed by excision down the road for the failure. or just go straight to excision. if you excise, you will need most likely to have the adjacent tissues slid toward the middle in order to avoid distortion of your eyebrow. hard to explain but it would close with a vertical limb and two horizontal limbs on top and bottom. also, if you don't live in dallas, i won't do it for you because it will probably require multiple follow ups to make sure it heals well.

Yea I don't live in the States but wanted your expertise because I'm going to get my mole removed in 19 hours. Still a little worried but should be all good.

Thanks for the information.