When it comes to perennial signs of ageing like wrinkles, fine lines, volume loss, and skin laxity, there is a certain level of comfort that people have in knowing that there are hundreds of available treatments available to help them attain improvements should they want them.
But blemishing like skin tags, lesions, and moles is often a much different situation. Remedies are not as abundant, and education around these options isn’t always prioritised. At TCMA, we are happy to educate our patients on electrosurgery — a much less intimidating procedure than the name would imply — to anyone who would like to tackle these kinds of growths directly.
Why Might Someone Consider Skin Tag / Lesion / Mole Removal?
Is Skin Tag / Lesion / Mole Removal Right for Me?
- Do you want a skin tag, mole, or lesion removed?
- Have you researched blemishing removal and electrotherapy?
- Have you seen plenty of before and after photos?
- Do you have realistic expectations about your results?
Electrosurgery is a versatile treatment, making it likely that those noticeable skin imperfections you want to address can be successfully treated. This makes it a great choice for anyone seeking to target blemishing like skin tags, lesions, and mole removal since very few options are available on the market.
However, we always tell patients that they should do plenty of independent research and look at many before and after photos to get a realistic idea of what electrosurgery can achieve. A successful outcome includes clearly understanding potential results from the beginning so that you are not disappointed in an otherwise successful treatment.
During your consultation, let us know if you have any existing conditions or sensitivities, especially regarding your skin. We want to ensure electrosurgery is a safe and effective option for you before proceeding with any treatment plan.
Understanding the Skin Tag / Lesion / Mole Removal Process
A Consultation with The Centre for Medical Aesthetics
Summary:- We will review your medical history to ensure your safety is prioritised.
- Make the most out of your consultation, it’s a valuable resource.
- We aren’t focusing on selling you a treatment, we want to help guide you.
- You can rely on our help, even if you don’t sign up for a procedure.
Before your electrosurgery consultation, it’s important to discuss what you’d like to achieve with the treatment and bring along your full medical history. Sharing any past experiences with skin treatments — positive and negative — helps us understand what procedures might best fit your needs.
We strongly encourage anyone considering electrosurgery for blemish removal to bring a list of questions about the procedure. During your consultation, we want to provide you with all the information you need to make the best decision about your skin health. Our priority isn’t to pressure you into treatment but rather to empower you to make informed choices. Even if you decide electrosurgery isn’t for you, we’re happy to explore other options that can help you achieve your desired results.
How to Prepare for Your Skin Tag / Lesion / Mole Removal
Electrosurgery for skin tags, moles, and lesions is an inherently low-risk procedure that minimises bleeding, discomfort and downtime. As such, very little downtime is needed from patients who undergo the process. The removal can take a couple of weeks to heal, but since the area is so small, most people can manage through their usual routines and schedules.
The Skin Tag / Lesion / Mole Removal Process
Summary:- Electrosurgery uses radiofrequency energy to remove blemishing.
- Numbing cream or injections may be used based on your specific needs.
- The area will be thoroughly cleaned before the treatment is performed.
- The medical device will dissolve the blemish in around 30 minutes.
Electrosurgery involves using a controlled electrical current to target the unwanted growth, effectively removing it with minimal impact on the surrounding skin. The procedure is designed to be as comfortable as possible, often resulting in minimal scarring and quick healing times.
Before your treatment, a topical numbing cream will be applied to the area, minimizing any potential discomfort. If deeper numbing is needed, a local anesthetic injection might sometimes be used, but this will depend entirely on your unique needs and goals.
Once the treatment area is clean and you’re completely comfortable, the electrosurgery process will begin. A fine medical-grade device carefully delivers a controlled radiofrequency current to the targeted area, gently dissolving the tissue of the mole, skin tag, or lesion. The procedure is quick, often taking only around 30 minutes to complete.
Skin Tag / Lesion / Mole Removal Results
While electrosurgery generally leads to smooth, well-blended results — especially when you follow the after-care instructions — it’s worth noting that healing can vary. Your skin type, the size and location of the mole or skin tag, and your body’s unique healing process all play a role in the outcome. Typically, the skin on your face heals faster than areas on your body. So, those facial or neck treatments might clear up in a week or two, while areas on your back or limbs could take a bit longer.
Let’s Talk: Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s Talk About Skin Tags
Skin tags are small, harmless, flesh-coloured growths that often hang from a stalk and can develop anywhere on the body, but are especially common in areas like the neck, armpits, groin, under breasts, and around eyes where skin tends to rub together. The exact cause is unknown, but friction likely plays a role. Factors like age, weight, pregnancy, family history, and insulin resistance can increase your risk of developing them. While skin tags don’t cause any pain or problems, they can be removed by a trained professional if they become irritating or are aesthetically unwanted.Let’s Talk About Moles
Moles, also known as nevi, are those pigmented spots on your skin that can be brown, black, tan, or even pink. Unlike skin tags, moles are caused by clusters of pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) growing together instead of being spread throughout the skin. Most moles are completely harmless and appear throughout your lifetime, with some even present at birth. Sun exposure can darken existing moles and even lead to the development of new ones.Let’s Talk About Skin Lesions
Skin lesions are any abnormal areas of your skin that look different from the surrounding tissue. They can come in many shapes and sizes, raised or flat, smooth or textured, and vary in colour from red and inflamed to brown and discoloured. Some lesions may itch or cause pain, while others might not be noticeable at all.
There are two main categories of skin lesions: primary and secondary. Primary lesions develop on their own, like moles, acne, or blisters. Secondary lesions arise from a reaction to a primary lesion, such as a scab forming after scratching a pimple or a darkened area left behind after a sunburn heals.
Skin lesions are incredibly common and can be caused by a variety of factors, including:- Injury or irritation from sun exposure, friction, bug bites, or allergic reactions
- Infections like bacterial, fungal, or viral infections
- Underlying medical conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or autoimmune diseases
What Risks Are Associated with Skin Tag / Lesion / Mole Removal?
While electrosurgery offers a safe and effective approach for removing skin tags, moles, and lesions, it’s important to be aware of some potential risks, even if they are unlikely. Here’s a breakdown of what to consider:- Infection: As with any surgical procedure, there’s a slight risk of infection following electrosurgery. Proper sterile technique and following aftercare instructions diligently can significantly minimize this risk.
- Scarring: Although electrosurgery generally promotes minimal scarring, there’s always a possibility of scarring, especially if the lesion being removed is large or located on a sensitive area like the face. Consulting with our team beforehand about your risk factors for scarring can help manage expectations.
- Hypo or Hyperpigmentation: In some cases, the treated area may develop lighter or darker pigmentation compared to the surrounding skin. This is more common with certain skin tones and sun exposure. Sunscreen use and proper aftercare instructions can help reduce this risk.
- Bleeding: While uncommon, minor bleeding might occur during or after the procedure. Applying gentle pressure to the area usually resolves this.
- Recurrence: There’s a slight chance that the mole, skin tag, or lesion may recur, especially if it wasn’t entirely removed during the procedure. If this happens, Dr Amy and our team will carefully examine the growth and choose the appropriate treatment approach to minimize this risk.
Are There Any Post-Treatment Instructions to Follow?
After your electrosurgery procedure, keep the area clean by gently washing it with mild soap and water once or twice daily. We may recommend a bandage and antibiotic ointment for the first day or two, and it is likely that a small scab will form. It is important that you let it heal and disappear on its own so you don’t make the scar worse. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used for discomfort. Avoid harsh skincare products, hot water, and saunas initially, and always protect the area from the sun with sunscreen and hats. If there are any additional instructions you need to follow, we will make sure to provide those to you as soon as possible.Should I Be Concerned About Cancer?
While moles, skin tags, and most skin lesions are benign, there are some warning signs to watch out for that could indicate something more serious like cancer. Remember the “ABCDE” rule for moles specifically:- Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn’t match the other in shape.
- Border: The edges are uneven, blurred, ragged, or notched.
- Colour: There are multiple colours within the mole, like brown, black, tan, red, white, or blue.
- Diameter: The mole is larger than 6 millimetres (about the size of a pencil eraser) or has grown noticeably.
- Evolving: The mole has changed in size, shape, colour, or has a new symptom like bleeding, itching, or crusting.
- Changes in size, shape, or colour: This is a big red flag, especially if the change happens quickly.
- Bleeding: Any mole, tag, or lesion that bleeds for no reason should be checked by a doctor.
- Itching or tenderness: While some skin lesions can itch, a new or persistent itch can be a warning sign.
- Oozing or crusting: If a lesion develops a persistent crust or starts oozing pus, it warrants a doctor’s visit.
You Can Trust Us
Services & Prices
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Book in for your consultation with Dr Amy Chahal to discuss your aesthetic goals.
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We will develop a treatment plan based on your aesthetic goals, budget and timeline.
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Get your natural, individualised results in a safe, welcoming and private environment.
