I read that moles must not be lasered and this makes sense, but what happens if you have a small mole which accidentally gets exposed to the laser? Will it turn into skin cancer and should be preventively removed?
It can get lighter. Most places cover it up with something white.
There is a danger, that if the Mole is already cancerous, that it can cause the cancer to go deeper and spread. At least that is what I have learned. Better advice would probably come from a doctor who specializes in cancer treatment.
When a mole is “erased” or disguised with other charactaristics with laser, then there are no visible signs above the skin to alert the patient or the doctor that something bad maybe be cooking below the skin. Suspicions are raised when mole borders take a jagged edge or when there are color changes, especially, but if a funky looking mole is zapped away, then there is no evidence to alert anyone.
Moles should be covered or colored with white or red pencils or pens to protect them from the laser light. Benign moles usually scab over and slough off within a short amount of time.
There is no evidence that laser causes moles to become cancerous. If there is some evidence-based articles that contradict that, then we would welcome the information here.
Dee
From everything I’ve heard and read it’s virtually impossible for laser light used in hair removal to cause skin cancer, or any type of cancer for that matter. There’s a good post on here somewhere from a knowledgeable laser tech who explained why it is impossible. Something about the wavelengths of the laser make it different, and unable to cause skin cancer. Might want to do a search and it may come up.
I have noticed some discoloration and lightening of moles from laser. I’ve had about 24 treatments and I don’t have skin cancer yet. If there is any literature about this subject that shows otherwise I should be the first to know!
I do believe that those who have expressed conscern have not been talking about LASER starting cancer, but exacerbating an existing cancer. (If one wants to keep cancer away, quit smoking, eat millet bread, and add sources of Vitamin B-17, like apricot seeds, and peach seeds)
James is right and in regards to developing skin cancer from moles it doesn’t seem to have done me any harm either and skin cancer runs through my family, especially as as two close relatives have died of it.
A probable reason for a reduced risk is the difference in wave lengths in the light used for laser hair removal and ones that are known to cause skin cancer such as in UV light.
A good example of this is the report put forward by the Physicists in Arizona State University on the possible use of Impulsive Stimulated Raman Scattering (ISRS) for killing micro-organisms such as Ecoli, MRSA and blood borne infections such HIV and Hepititus (this isn’t to do with hair removal but does give an idea of how different wave lengths can attack different types of cells, as well as others that don’t discriminate, such as UV light).
What the majority of people really need to focus their attention on is the amount of UV exposure on any area of their skin.
Kind regards,
Benji
Just to reiterate, the lasers used for hair removal do not emit UV radiation.
There’s radiation, it’s just non-ionizing radiation, which will not cause cancer.
But to put your mind at ease, ask for it to be covered with something white; ink, a piece of white cardstock, etc. You really shouldn’t have to ask, they should do this anyway.