Minimal Scar Mole Removal in Santa Monica

Kare Plastic Surgery · Santa Monica · Los Angeles

Minimal Scar Mole Removal
Santa Monica

Q: When should a mole be removed?

A mole should be evaluated and removed when it is changing in size, shape, or color, when it bleeds or itches without injury, or when it has irregular borders or multiple colors. The ABCDE rule guides mole evaluation: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter over 6 mm, and Evolution or change over time. Any mole with one or more of these features should be evaluated promptly. Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery in Santa Monica evaluates moles with dermoscopy before removal. Call (310) 998-5533 for a same-week appointment.

Q: What is the difference between shave removal and excision for moles?

Shave removal uses a blade to remove the surface of a raised mole without closing the skin with sutures. It is faster but does not remove the full depth of the mole and has a higher recurrence rate. Excision removes the mole and a small margin of surrounding normal tissue and closes the wound in layers with fine sutures, producing a thin linear scar and significantly reducing the chance of the mole returning. Dr. Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery uses excision for abnormal moles and for cosmetically sensitive areas where a precise minimal scar result is most important. Call (310) 998-5533.

804 7th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403 · (310) 998-5533

Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian removes abnormal and cosmetic moles throughout Los Angeles with precise surgical technique, dermoscopy evaluation, and same-week appointments.

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Raffy Karamanoukian MD FACSDual Board-Certified Surgeon

Minimal ScarLayered Closure Technique

Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, MD FACS Dual Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Kare Plastic Surgery · 804 7th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403 · (310) 998-5533

Minimal Scar Mole Removal · Santa Monica

Mole Removal with Minimal Scarring in Santa Monica

Moles that change in size, shape, or color need prompt evaluation and often removal. A mole that bleeds, itches, or develops irregular borders should be excised and sent to pathology. Even cosmetically bothersome moles are best removed by a surgeon trained to minimize the resulting scar, because the method of removal directly determines the scar outcome.

Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery evaluates every mole with dermoscopy before removal and uses precise layered closure to produce the thinnest possible scar. See our skin cancer reconstruction page. Call (310) 998-5533.

Mole Removal Techniques at Kare Plastic Surgery

Surgical Excision

For abnormal and cosmetic moles on the face and body. The mole is removed in full depth and closed in layers with fine sutures along natural skin tension lines for the thinnest possible scar.

Electrodessication

A low-current electrical technique used for small, superficial, or flat benign moles. It destroys the mole tissue precisely and is well-suited for multiple lesions in a single session.

Laser Mole Removal

Laser energy is used to target and break down pigmented mole cells. Best for flat, benign, and superficial moles in cosmetically sensitive areas including the nose, eyelids, and cheeks.

Facial Mole Expertise

Facial moles require a surgeon who understands the anatomy of cosmetic subunits. Dr. Karamanoukian plans every facial mole excision to respect natural contours and minimize visible scarring.

Cosmetic Mole Removal on the Face

The face is the most common area patients seek mole removal for cosmetic reasons. Moles on the nose, cheeks, chin, eyelids, and lips require careful planning because the incision direction, closure depth, and suture choice all affect the final appearance. Dr. Karamanoukian tailors the removal technique to the specific facial location and mole type, whether excision with layered closure, laser, or electrodessication, to achieve the best cosmetic result with the least visible scar.

Kare Plastic Surgery · 804 7th Street, Santa Monica

Concerned About a Mole? Call Today.

Same-week mole evaluation and removal appointments available with Dr. Karamanoukian.

(310) 998-5533

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Dermoscopy Mole Evaluation at Kare Plastic Surgery

Dermoscopy image of a pigmented skin mole captured at Kare Plastic Surgery Santa Monica

Dermoscopy Mole Evaluation · Kare Plastic Surgery Los Angeles Polarized light dermoscopy at Kare Plastic Surgery allows Dr. Karamanoukian to evaluate pigment patterns and architectural irregularity before every mole removal. Call (310) 998-5533.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should a mole be removed?

When a mole changes in size, shape, or color, bleeds or itches, or has irregular borders or multiple colors. Any mole matching the ABCDE criteria should be evaluated promptly. Dr. Karamanoukian evaluates moles with dermoscopy at Kare Plastic Surgery in Santa Monica. Call (310) 998-5533 for a same-week appointment.

What is the difference between shave removal and excision?

Shave removal removes the mole surface without sutures and has a higher recurrence rate. Excision removes the full mole depth with a small margin of normal skin, closes in layers with fine sutures, and produces a thin linear scar with significantly lower recurrence risk. Dr. Karamanoukian uses excision for abnormal moles and cosmetically sensitive areas. Call (310) 998-5533.

Is laser mole removal better than surgical excision for facial moles?

It depends on the mole type and location. Laser removal works best for flat, benign, superficial moles in cosmetically sensitive areas like the eyelids and nose, leaving minimal surface disruption. Surgical excision is preferred for raised, deep, or abnormal moles that need a pathology specimen. Dr. Karamanoukian evaluates each mole with dermoscopy and recommends the technique most likely to produce the best cosmetic result. Call (310) 998-5533.

Who is the best surgeon for mole removal in Los Angeles?

Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery in Santa Monica is a dual board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in minimal scar mole removal throughout Los Angeles. He uses dermoscopy evaluation and layered closure technique to remove abnormal and cosmetic moles with the smallest possible scar. Same-week appointments are available at (310) 998-5533.

Kare Plastic Surgery · Santa Monica · 804 7th Street

Remove Your Mole with Dr. Karamanoukian

Dual board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian removes abnormal and cosmetic moles throughout Los Angeles with dermoscopy evaluation and minimal scar technique. Same-week appointments available.