Skin Imperfection Causes of Formation Removal Methods

Moles





Moles are areas of skin where melanocytes have grouped together. Melanocytes produce a pigment called melanin which gives your skin its colour - where they cluster together the skin is darker.



Moles can form as a result of hormonal changes, sun exposure, or genetic factors.



While most moles are harmless, certain types of moles can develop into skin cancer. It is advisable to regularly check your moles to see if any change in shape or colour.



You should see your doctor if you notice: The growth of an existing mole

A mole with a ragged or uneven edge

A mole with varying colour shades

A mole that bleeds, oozes or crusts

A mole that feels painful or itches

A mole where the two halves do not look the same

Even if your mole is not cancerous, you may still decide to have it removed due to irritations or cosmetic reasons.



At LS Aesthetic, the removal procedure recommended by Dr. Kok will vary depending on the type of mole you have. The procedures available are:

Cryotherapy: This involves the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze the mole, which will then fall off on its own.

Lasers/Electrocautery: This precisely burns away the mole, while sealing off blood vessels and keeping surrounding skin intact.

Surgery: For larger moles, Dr. Kok will perform a minor surgical procedure to remove the mole. A shave or punch biopsy can also be done for further pathological tests.



Warts

Warts are small hard growths on the skin, that are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).



Warts can be contagious, and they can be passed from one to another through the direct touching of the warts, or through using towels or other personal items that were used by someone with warts.



Treatments decrease the chance that the warts will be spread to other parts of the body and to other people.



Common methods of wart removal include:

Topical applications: Salicylic acid is applied in the form of a liquid or a plaster to the wart.

Cryotherapy: This involves the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze the warts. Warts often drop off after a few days. For more serious cases, repeat sessions may be necessary.

Lasers/Electrocautery: This precisely burns away the wart while sealing off blood vessels and keeping surrounding skin intact.



Skin Tags

Skin tags are small growths of skin tissue that commonly occur where the skin rubs against itself or clothing.



They are largely benign and are not contagious.



Still confused between the difference between moles and skin tags? We break it down further here. Treatments for skin tag removal include:

Cryotherapy: This involves the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze the skin tag, causing it to drop off.

Lasers/Electrocautery: Like moles and warts, skin tags can be removed via lasers or electrocautery.



Milia

Milia often forms on the face, but they can also be found on the neck, chest, scalp, and back.



There is little one can do to prevent milia from forming if one is prone to them. Milia form for a variety of reasons:

Heavy skin care products : comedogenic creams can clog pores and prevent the thorough removal of dead skin cells.

Prolonged sun damage : Cumulative exposure to the sun can cause skin to age, making it more difficult for the body to get rid of dead skin cells.

Genetics

Treatments for milia include:

Topical applications: Medical grade products clear milia and unclog pores in the process.

Laser treatments: Like moles and warts, milia can be effectively removed via laser procedures.

Oil Glands

Overactive oil glands can result in the growth of small, yellowish, benign papules on your face or body. This condition, known as sebaceous hyperplasia, is common amongst adults between 30 – 50 years of age.



Such papules form naturally during the aging process, as a result of decreasing androgen levels. This condition is also hereditary and is usually seen in families.



The appearance of overactive oil glands can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. If concern arises over this, a biopsy should be performed.

Oil glands are harmless and does not require any medical treatment, but should you wish to remove it for cosmetic reasons, the following treatments are available:

Lasers/Electrocautery: These procedures precisely remove the papules while keeping surrounding skin intact.

Oral medication: Medical prescriptions such as Accutane can be used to control oil production and shrink the appearance of the papules.

Topical applications: Either tretinoin or chemical peels can be used to reverse the occurrence of sebaceous hyperplasia.

Photodynamic therapy: This treatment sees the combination of light therapy and 5-aminolevulinic acid to clear up existing papules.

