How to Remove Flat Moles From Face Permanently

Facial flat moles are benign changes formed by skin melanocytes gathering together. Usually they look like a clear border, even color, brown or black spots, and size from a few millimeters to 1 centimeter. To many, flat moles may be nothing more than innate “little marks,” but others wish to remove them completely due to cosmetic concerns, fear of malignant transformation, or frequent friction.

Are your flat moles suitable for removal?

1. Basis for benign judgment of flat moles: ABCDE principle self-examination.

Not all flat moles are suitable for casual removal. If a mole carries a risk of malignant transformation, medical examination and diagnosis should take priority over blind removal. You can perform an initial self-check using the dermatological ABCDE principle:

• A（asymmetry： The left and right or upper and lower parts of the mole have inconsistent shapes and sizes.
• B（border）： The edges are irregular, unclear, or jagged.
• C（color）： There are various colors (such as brown, black, red, and white) mixed within the mole.
• D（diameter）： Diameter exceeding 6 millimeters.
• E（evolving）： In the short term (ranging from a few weeks to several months), it rapidly enlarges, changes color, causes itching, pain, ulceration, or bleeding.

Important Tip: If your flat mole fits any of the above points, or you have a family history of skin cancer, or have been in the sun for a long time, you need to see a doctor to do a skin mirror test or pathological biopsy first. After making sure there is no cancer risk, let the doctor check if it is suitable to remove. Removal of benign flat moles is a cosmetic procedure, while moles suspected of being malignant should be treated first and should not be treated on one’s own.

2. Under what circumstances is permanent removal suitable?

• Affects Beauty: The flat mole makes you look bad, and the doctor said it is benign.
• Worry about Friction: The mole grows in places with frequent friction, and worry that long-term stimulation will cause disease.
• Too Dark or Big: The mole’s color is too dark, or the area is too big, causing trouble for personal image.
• The job requires smooth facial skin. 

Three Scientific Methods for Permanently Removing Facial Flat Moles

Currently, the methods recognized by dermatology as capable of achieving “permanent removal” are all medical procedures. The key lies in destroying the melanocyte cells through physical or chemical means to prevent any remaining cells from causing recurrence. The following is a detailed analysis of the three main methods:

1. Laser mole removal: The most commonly used precise method

Principle: Utilizing lasers of specific wavelengths (such as Q-switched or Pico lasers), the technology acts precisely on the melanin within mole cells, shattering it into tiny particles, which are then metabolized and excreted by the body’s immune system. The “selective photothermal effect” of lasers can prevent damage to the surrounding healthy skin and achieve precise removal.

Advantages:

• Thorough effect: The removal rate for benign flat nevi is over 95%, with a recurrence rate of less than 3%;
• Minimal trauma: It only targets nevus cells, causing minimal damage to the epidermis and a low risk of scarring after recovery.
• Wide range of applications: Suitable for benign flat moles with a diameter of 1-5 mm and uniform color, especially suitable for sensitive areas of the face.
• Fast Recovery: Scabs form 1–2 days after treatment and fall off within 7–10 days. No long recovery period is required.

Suitable Scenarios: Most benign facial flat moles, especially those that are dark in color and medium in size.

Precautions:

• Need many times: Dark or big moles may need 2-3 times of treatment. The time between each time is 1-2 months.
• Care after surgery: Must protect from the sun strictly. Keep the wound clean and dry. Do not pick the scab.

2. Surgery Cut: Good for big moles or if you worry it is bad.

Principle: Cut it out completely by surgery. The cut tissue can be checked by a doctor to make sure it is benign.

Advantages:

• Thorough removal: It can completely remove nevus cells, with a recurrence rate of almost 0.
• Pathological Diagnosis Available: Suitable for moles suspected of malignancy, or large moles (over 5mm in diameter) that are difficult to remove completely with lasers.
• Wide Application: Regardless of the mole’s color or shape, surgical removal is always an option.

Applicable scenarios: 

• Large, flat moles with a diameter of 5 mm or more;
• Moles that do not respond well to laser treatment or recur.
• Moles with irregular shape and uneven color, suspected of being malignant and requiring pathological examination;
• Moles located in non-sensitive areas (such as the cheeks and forehead) (as they may leave slight linear scars after surgery.

Precautions:

• Invasive Treatment: The procedure creates a wound that requires suturing. The recovery period is approximately 1–2 weeks, and the resulting scar will gradually fade over time.
• Care after surgery: Listen to the doctor, put antibiotic cream to stop infection. Don’t do hard exercise (don’t pull the wound), and protect yourself from the sun strictly.

3. Electrocautery + curettage: Suitable for small or superficial moles.

Principle: First, the surface tissue of the mole is burned by the high-frequency current generated by the electrocautery device, causing it to carbonize. Then, the carbonized mole tissue is scraped off with a curette, thereby removing the mole cells.

Advantages:

• Quick procedure: Each treatment takes only 5-10 minutes and is suitable for a large number of small moles.
• Minimal Trauma: Highly effective for superficial flat moles. After recovery, the resulting scar is inconspicuous.

Suitable Scenarios: Ideal for small, superficial, and lightly pigmented flat moles (1–3mm in diameter). Best suited for non-sensitive areas of the face.

Precautions:

• Multiple Sessions May Be Required: For moles that are darker or located deeper in the skin, a single treatment may not be sufficient for complete removal, necessitating multiple procedures.
• Risk of scarring: If the depth of the burn is not properly controlled, it may lead to atrophic scars or pigmentation. This procedure should be performed by an experienced doctor.
• Postoperative care: Keep the wound dry after surgery and avoid getting it wet. The scab will fall off naturally after it forms; do not forcibly peel it off.

FAQ

1. Will it recur after removal?

Laser treatment is effective with a low recurrence rate; surgical excision, if thorough, rarely recurs.

2. Will it leave scars?

Any invasive procedure can leave a scar, but professional procedures can minimize scarring.

3 . How long will it take to see the final results?

Full healing usually takes 3-6 months.

4 . How painful is it?  

Local anesthesia is used during the treatment, so the discomfort is mild; there may be mild discomfort for a few days after the procedure.

Conclusion

Permanent removal of flat moles on the face is entirely feasible, but safety must be the primary consideration. Choosing a reputable medical institution and selecting the appropriate treatment method based on your individual circumstances is crucial to achieving the goal of “removing moles without leaving scars.”