Mole Removal Introduction
Moles, or nevi, are frequently removed for a variety of reasons. They can be removed by two surgical methods:

• excision (cutting) followed by stitches and
• excision with cauterization (a tool is used to burn away the mole).
  
  

Although laser removal has been tried for moles, it is not usually the method of choice for most deep moles because the laser light doesn't penetrate deeply enough so could be the option if you have a small mole that you want to get rid of.

How laser mole removal works The mole gets bombarded with laser light, which is absorbed only by the pigment in the mole. The pigment then gets an "overdose" of light and breaks apart. During the healing process, your body will carry this broken pigment away from the mole area.

There are a few important limitations to laser mole removal. First of all, it can only be used on moles that hold pigment.

Second, laser treatment can only be used on smaller moles, because the light cannot travel deep into the skin. Since most people who want to remove a mole, have concerns with bigger moles rather than small ones, laser treatment is not often the best option.

However, laser removal leaves less scarring than surgical removal, so that could be a benefit. If you have a small, pigmented mole that you would like to have removed and you are considering laser mole removal, here is how it works:

Most moles need 3 treatments with laser light to be removed. After the third treatment, the mole usually turns darker. Then after 4-7 days the mole will simply "fall off".

The procedure is not painful and the sensation can be compared to snapping a rubber band against ones skin.