Expert: Michael S. Fisher, <B>Ph.D., M.D.</B> - 9/28/2005

Question
-------------------------
Followup

Hello. thanks for your useful replies. Can I ask you a couple of follow up questions.

1.When you talk of lasers being used to remove red patches, are you talking about red patches from scarring?

2. When I was about 12 I had a wart on the end of my nose burnt off. I'm now 36 and the red scar is still there. It is small but I have heard that cells can be killed or something to remove the redness - is this correct. If it is correct, what would be the result a white mark or normal flesh coloured mark?

3.Does all redness from scarring go away eventually - even if it takes years?

4. you mentioned over the counter mederma to aid healing of redness. Is this a brand name or is there a particular brand you'd recommend? Would a natural product be as effective as a pharmcutical product on not? Would you need a doctors prescription for such a product. I'm in New Zealand so I suppose laws could be different.

5. Is there a kind of a makeup type product to help with redness? I am male so I don't want to be wearing anything 'makeup obvious' Someone told me you can buy some product that is green that conceals redness when you rub in on the skin.

6. I have quite a few small red spots on my arms and trunk - are they burst blood vessels or something? They seemed to have increased over the years a bit. I think someone told me they can be removed by laser. Is the result natural looking skin? Does something I do make the red spots appear. For example I wonder if rubbing my skin creates the spots.

Thanks for your help. Regards, Stefan C.















To
Question -
Hi. I have a few questions if that's ok.

1. I'm considering having a few moles removed from my legs, face and chest using laser treatment. It is for cosmetic reasons only. Is this done without scaring? Does it leave a red mark. If so how long would it take for the redness to go?

2.  I have some minor scar tissue that seems to be whiter than the rest of my skin. Is it possible to have this removed? What technique is used? How effective is the outcome?

3.  Can flat moles be removed effectively for cosmetic reasons? What technique is used?

4.  If moles are removed, do they regrow. If I have the tops of highly raised moles removed would they stay flat or would they grow higher again?

5.  Is there an effective way to get red patches from scaring - skin - to lose their redness fast or faster. I tried one cream that was meant to do this but it didn't seem to be particularly effective.

6.  Does the skin from mole removal etc heal as well when your in your 40s apposed to your 30s and your 50s as apposed to your 40s and so on? What I'm asking is is the result of this cosmetic work better when done younger?

Thanks. Regards, Steve.


Answer -
1) healing of the skin is different for each patient. For example, when I removed a mole from my wife, the redness remained for 5 years before it went away.  The normal time is 4-12 months.  Anytime a mole is removed a redmark can be formed.  On the chest you also have to be worried about scars called keloids which are common.
2) It is very difficult to remove "white" scars.  They can be surgically removed but we do not have any agents that can help repigment the skin.
3) Flat moles can be removed by laser but I am worried about this removal as you are putting energy into the mole.  If a few cells remain then they later could change.
4)If a mole is compound or intradermal and the top portion of the mole is removed then the deeper portion can regrow but this usually takes years.
5)lasers are usually used to remove red patches from the skin.  Over the counter Mederma will also help reduce redness over time.
6)The older we are the slower the healing process especially on the extremities as hands and feet.

Answer
1)lasers can be used to remove red patches, blood vessels, now if it is scar tissue then Mederma which is over the counter is helpful to remove this type of redness.
2)Laser would be the best to remove the red spot on your nose.  In our clinic we use the KTP laser which is very effective.
3)The redness from scarring usually resolves but in some cases can take many years.
4)Mederma is a branded name in the US but is made from onion juice.
5) A green base makeup will help hide the redness on the face.  A green base makeup can be obtained at almost all cosmetic stores.
6)On your trunk you have what are called Angiomas which are benign or harmless.  These skin lesions can be remove by cautery or burning or laser but insurance does not cover this procedure.