Got moles? Electrolysis can help!
Beauty marks have a turbulent history. In medical terms, they are often what’s known as a melanocytic nevus, which is nothing more than a slightly raised collection of melanin or pigment forming cells in your skin. In the 1600s, they were sometimes seen as a witch’s mark and were enough evidence to convict a person. Yikes! Fast forward to the 1980s, however, and we see Cindy Crawford sporting her signature beauty mark as idyllic perfection on the cover of Vogue. Whether you’re ready to embrace or completely erase your mole, electrolysis can often help you find that sweet spot (pun intended)!
Can I get moles anywhere?
Moles can crop up just about any place on your face and body, and according to the American Academy of Dermatology, most appear before your 20th birthday. In the case of Jennifer Lawrence, Mariah Carey, and Blake Lively, their moles are signature beauty marks that make each celebrity stand out. If you fall into this category — we strongly suggest you embrace your beautiful mole!
What if I want to remove my mole?
If you’re not as thrilled with your mole placement or it’s bothersome to you in anyway, electrolysis can help you remove it without scarring using high frequency current and a precision probe. The treatment is quick and relatively painless, and unlike your doctor’s office, the process does not involve any blades or scalpels. Book an appointment and come see us soon; you’ll be so glad you did!
What if my mole has hair?
Because moles can appear anywhere, some moles inevitably end up on top of hair follicles. When this happens, you’ll have hair growing and poking through your mole(s). The silver lining to having a mole with hair in it is that this often indicates the skin under the spot you can see is healthy and functioning as it should — and is unlikely to be cancerous.
What if I want to keep the beauty mark but get rid of the hair?
If you love your mole but are bothered by the hair growing through it, we have great news! Electrolysis is a process that can forever remove your pesky mole hair by using thermolysis to destroy the germinative cells causing your hair growth. When you remove the hair with electrolysis, it is 100 percent permanent and will not grow back.
While tweezing will not damage the mole or cause it to become cancerous, if your goal is to have a hair free mole, tweezing can make your hair issue much worse. Tweezing (or any hair removal method like sugaring or waxing that “plucks the hair by the root”) often activates the dormant hair follicles immediately in the area to start growing. These dormant follicles would otherwise never grow hair in your lifetime except if you tweeze — and you’ll end up with more hair in and under your mole than if you never tweezed the hair at all.
If you’re tempted to tweeze your hair but can’t get in immediately for electrolysis, may we suggest simply cutting the hair with scissors or a lipstick shaver (like the Flawless by Finishing Touch).
Why is my mole hair darker?
Since moles are made-up of pigment-producing cells, the hyperpigmentation of the mole can cause the hair growing out of it to be darker too. Also, if you pluck the hair, your body will continue to strengthen the hair each time it’s tweezed, causing it to become coarser and thicker over time. Review our recommendations above for the best ways to manage your mole hair (hint: it’s always best to cut it).
What if I think my mole could be cancerous?
If you’re over 20 and you have a new mole appear that’s bigger than a pencil eraser -OR- you have a mole that starts to change shape or looks different than usual, head straight to your dermatologist without delay! And check out our ABCDE checklist to help you identify when your mole might be skin cancer!
Wishing y’all a safe and healthy October, and see you soon in the salon!