Mole, Nevi and Broken Capillary Treatment

Many raised, elevate skin lesions (moles and nevi) can be removed by shave excision or planing of the growth to achieve a flat surface. This shaving may be quite easily and rather painlessly performed under local anesthesia using several techniques. Frequently, Dr. Zemplenyi removes raised moles using a special radio-frequency Elmed loop shaver, which enables bloodless, gentle removal with a resultant flat surface. Removal of a prominent elevated lesion immediately improves the appearance.

The flat wound heals within two weeks often leaving a minimal or no scar with sufficient time allowed for complete healing. As it is prudent to ascertain that a lesion is not a cancerous growth, whether pigmented or not, Dr. Zemplenyi submits these lesion for a pathological microscopic examination unless it is absolutely clear that the particular growth is benign. Shave biopsies of pigmented or worrisome lesions are generally covered by medical insurance, whereas cosmetic removal of longstanding, unchanged moles, nevi, and skin tags is not covered by insurance.

"Broken blood vessels", which are small, thin, red capillaries in the outer layer of the skin, can be improved by gentle destruction with low-output electrocautery or vascular laser. The heat energy is absorbed by the blood vessel channel, which results in its shrinkage (sclerosis). The overlying skin is minimally reddened, although some blistering may develop for a few days. Topical anesthetic cream and Zimmer cooling is used to effectively reduce any discomfort to a minimum. Cover-up make-up may be applied within one to two days.