Er:YAG Laser
A mole (medically termed a nevus) is a common type of skin growth that occurs when melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment (melanin), grow in clusters or groups rather than being evenly spread throughout the skin. Moles can appear anywhere on the body and are typically brown or black, though they can also be skin-colored or lighter. Moles are usually benign (non-cancerous), but some can develop into melanoma, a type of skin cancer, under certain conditions.
Factors Contributing to Mole Development:
• Sun Exposure: UV light stimulates melanocyte activity, leading to mole formation.
• Genetics: Family history can predispose individuals to developing more moles or larger moles.
• Hormonal Changes: Puberty, pregnancy, and other hormonal shifts can cause changes in mole number and appearance.
Moles can significantly affect a person’s appearance, depending on their size, location, color, and shape. While many moles are small and relatively inconspicuous, others may be more noticeable and affect how a person feels about their looks.
The Er:YAG laser is a powerful tool for skin resurfacing and the removal of superficial skin lesions, including moles. It is often used in dermatology to treat various skin conditions due to its precision and minimal impact on surrounding tissues.
Benefits:
Precision:
The Er:YAG laser allows for highly precise removal of moles, especially superficial ones, without affecting surrounding skin.
Minimal Scarring:
Because of its minimal heat production and precise tissue ablation, the risk of scarring is lower compared to other removal methods like excision or CO₂ laser.
Quick Healing:
The lack of significant heat damage means faster healing times and a lower risk of complications.
Effective for Raised Moles:
It works particularly well for raised moles that are superficial, allowing the dermatologist to gently remove the outer layers of the skin where the mole resides.
No Sutures Needed:
Since the laser removes the mole without cutting into deeper layers of skin, there’s no need for stitches.
How does it work?
The Er:YAG laser emits light at a wavelength of 2940 nm, which is highly absorbed by water present in the skin cells. Since skin cells, including those forming moles, contain a significant amount of water, this laser precisely targets the mole without damaging the surrounding tissue.
As the laser energy is absorbed by the water in the mole's cells, it causes vaporization of the tissue layer by layer. This ablation process removes the mole with minimal trauma to the surrounding skin. The laser can be used in a very controlled manner, allowing dermatologists to adjust the depth of penetration. This precision ensures that the mole is removed while preserving healthy skin around it.
The Er:YAG laser generates less heat compared to other lasers (like CO₂ lasers), which reduces the risk of thermal damage to the skin. This makes it an excellent choice for sensitive areas and leads to faster healing with minimal scarring.
Those seeking a non-invasive procedure to remove bengin moles with minimal downtime are recommended for choosing Er:YAG laser as it is quick and safe.
Single Treatment: Many small, superficial moles may only require a single Er:YAG laser session to be completely removed. This is especially true for flat moles that are closer to the surface of the skin.
Multiple Treatments: For larger or deeper moles, it might take 2 to 3 sessions to achieve complete removal. In these cases, the laser removes the mole in layers, gradually abating the mole tissue without damaging the surrounding skin.
After the first session, it is usually recommended a 4 to 6-week interval before evaluating the need for a follow-up treatment. This interval allows the skin to heal and any potential scabbing to naturally resolve.