Facial mole removal recommendations
I am interested in having one or more moles removed from my face for cosmetic reasons. In particular, I want to have a mole on my lip removed. I am not sure about whether it is best to use a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon. I am very concerned about scarring given the prominent location. The available recommendations on this site are more than a decade old so I would really appreciate any new recommendations for dermatologists/plastic surgeons for mole removal. I will be paying out of pocket.
Dec 3, 2024
Parent Replies
I had a prominent mole removed from my face by a plastic surgeon who also did a lot of cosmetic dermatology work. It still scarred a little - because moles go deep under the skin and have to be completely removed for safety. It took 1-2 years to really not be noticeable, but it was large. But after it's very healed they can do various procedures to virtually eliminate the scarring. I'd vote for the plastic surgeon and just ask questions.
I had a great experience recently with Ani Tajirian at the Dermatology Center of the East Bay. She is a dermatological surgeon and specializes in this. You can schedule a consult with her first.
From personal experience as a client, I have to say Dr. Gary Oliver in Daly City, CA is an excellent dermatologist/ dermapahologist who treats everything: acne, mole removal, rosacea, warts, and even minor skin cancers. That said, the problem I saw Dr. Oliver for was a minor wart. He is likable, patient and explains all the details well; would recommend him to anyone. He uses very gentle wart and mole removal methods, so you don't need to worry about scarring.
Here's the Yelp page: https://www.yelp.com/biz/san-francisco-dermatopathology-institute-dermat...