What To Expect From Scarless Mole Removal

This post is definitely coming a tad early because I haven’t fully healed from my recent scarless mole removal experience, but I just couldn’t wait to share this technology any longer. As a person who is covered in moles, I’ve had many removed in my life which means I have many scars. And when I’ve tried to find better options, anywhere I called said they were only able to remove flat moles, not the raised type. So I’ve always been stuck with the dilemma – remove the moles and be left with scars or keep the moles and be covered in them. Some people don’t mind them, but I do. And after pregnancy, my mole count increased by quite a few. So I did what I always do – complain on instagram. And complaining really paid off because I had an amazing follower send me a message to tell me about radiofrequency.

After doing some digging myself, I decided it was the exact thing I was looking for. I booked my appointment, removed ~70 moles/dark freckles, and am now healing quite well. I now have some pink spots, similar to what it looks like when you scrape your knee and a scab falls off, and that pigment will soon come back as the skin heals. No pain, no scars, and no moles uncomfortably rubbing on a sports bra. It’s been a real win-win-win. Now let’s get into all the nitty gritty details.

What is radiofrequency?

Radiofrequency is a technique that uses ultra-high frequency electrical currents which vaporizes the mole or other skin issues, leaving behind no scar or damage to the skin.

What skin issues can radiofrequency be used for?

Radiofrequency can be used for multiple skin issues such as flat or raised moles, warts, skin tags, and more!

What should I expect when getting radiofrequency surgery?

When getting radiofrequency surgery, your doctor should first inspect the mole or other skin issue to make sure it is not suspicious. If it is, a biopsy will be taken and sent into a lab for further analysis. If everything looks normal, the skin issue will then be removed. Depending on where you go, your doctor will apply a topical numbing cream then they will use a local anesthesia to numb the area. The doctor will then use the tip needed for the type of mole or skin issue to remove it. Within seconds or sometimes minutes, the mole will be vaporized, leaving behind a small pigmented spot. The spot will be raw for a day or two before it scabs over. The scab will then fall off at some point, leaving the skin slightly pink or red until it fully heals, leaving behind the skin the same color as everywhere else.

How many treatments will I need?

One! That’s it! Once in a while you may need a touch up, but not super common.

Does radiofrequency hurt?

No. Your doctor will inject a local anesthetic to numb the skin beforehand. That’s not always the most comfortable experience, but you cannot feel the radiofrequency surgery itself after the anesthetic is applied.

Will the skin lesion grow back after removal?

There is a chance that it could, but it is a very small chance. If it does, your doctor should be able to remove it once more to ensure it is removed completely.

How long does it take for the skin to heal?

The scabs from the skin lesions will fall off in around 2 weeks and then the pink or red marks that are left behind will take up to 12 months to fully heal.

Do I apply anything topically to help with healing?

My doctor sent me home with a serum that she makes herself, but your own doctor will recommend what should be applied after.

How much does radiosurgery cost?

Prices will vary. This will definitely range depending on where you live and who you see. This technology is older technology, yet it’s not used by many doctors in the US (it’s much more popular in Europe). The doctor I saw charged $50/mole, but since I had so many removed, she gave me a discount and it came out to $32/mole. When I looked for people in my own area, the only one I could find cost $250/mole so it was worth the travel to see another doctor at a much lower price point.

Below are photos from my own experience! This is from right after my appointment. I had mole and some skin tags from pregnancy removed all over, including my face, chest, stomach, and back before we ran out of time.

Below is a before and after – 10 days after the treatment, left with some pink marks and some scabs. As you can see, I still have many moles and freckles, but I wanted to remove the larger ones or darker cluster spots.

This is 40 days after treatment. Pink and red marks left behind as they begin to heal.

And below are some closer up of what the spots currently look like, 40 days after treatment. As you can see, some are pink and some are slightly lighter than my skin color.

I cannot recommend this treatment enough and I had the absolute best experience with Dr. Hilary Costello at Luca Holistic Medicine. If you want to hear more about the treatment and what to expect, you can listen to my podcast interview with her here! I’m planning to see her once more for the handful that we didn’t have time for and one pesky spot that refuses to leave. I’ll be sure to update photos at the year mark to show how they healed with time!