If you are eager to start laser hair removal treatments, but are wondering if it’s safe to have on skin with freckles and / or moles, then this is the article for you!
Any worries you may have about this are completely valid and we would want any of our clients to feel completely comfortable with the treatment they are having.
If you’ve been holding off having laser hair removal treatment because you have moles or freckles on your skin, then there may be a way to get you the treatment you desire without affecting your moles.
Here at Smooth Laser Clinic in Horndean, we have the knowledge and expertise to look after your skin and make sure treatments are safe for mole-prone skin.
So let’s answer some frequently asked questions when it comes to laser hair removal and moles.
Can laser hair removal affect moles?
The short answer is yes, if you have laser hair removal over an area of skin with moles then they can be affected.
Laser hair removal works by being attracted to the pigment in the hair follicle. This pigment absorbs the laser energy and the hair follicle is destroyed, preventing the hair from re-growing.
Moles also contain pigmented cells, more so than in the rest of the surrounding skin. This means that the laser would also be absorbed by the pigment in the mole, disrupting it and potentially causing it to lift. This could then cause irritation and itchiness surrounding the mole, scabbing and ultimately discomfort for up to 2 weeks.
So can you have laser hair removal on an area of skin with moles?
You can, but we would need to take some precautions to protect the mole(s).
Any visible moles would be covered by your technician with a while kohl pencil so that the laser isn’t attracted to the pigment. Larger moles can also be covered with a plaster. This helps ensure the laser works on the surrounding skin, but not on the mole itself.
What if I want to remove a hair growing from a mole, can I laser it?
We would recommend not to do this, for the reasons outlined above. We know that these are often the kind of hair that people want to remove the most!
The best way to remove a hair from a mole is to very carefully trim it with a pair of small scissors.
What about freckles – Is it safe to do laser hair removal over those?
As freckles are usually lighter than moles, and not raised, it can be okay to have laser hair removal treatment on skin with freckles.
We would ask you to check the area over before your laser hair removal appointment and identify any freckles that are darker than the rest, or slightly raised. These freckles will need to be covered with white kohl pencil just as a mole would be for the treatment to commence.
Still feeling unsure about laser hair removal?
If you’re still unsure whether the area of skin you would like to treat with laser hair removal is safe to do so due to freckles or moles, then please do give us a call. Our laser hair removal technicians in Hampshire would be happy to help ascertain whether laser hair removal is the right course of action for you.
