CO2 Laser Mole Removal
Why we check every mole first
A mole that looks harmless in the mirror can be the one worth checking, and once it is vaporized there is nothing left to test. That single fact shapes how we work.
So every mole is assessed before anything is decided. If it is clearly benign, laser is often the neatest way to remove it. If it shows any of the features that need answering, an uneven shape, a ragged border, more than one colour, or a history of changing or growing, it is not lasered.
For anything in that group we send you to South London Mole Clinic, our sister clinic in London, where the mole can be examined in detail and, if needed, removed in a way that keeps the tissue for pathology. That is not caution for its own sake. It is the difference between a cosmetic treatment and a missed diagnosis.
What we remove this way
Once a mole is assessed and confirmed benign, the laser handles the common raised ones well:
- Raised moles that catch on collars, straps and razors
- Moles on the face where you want the smallest possible mark
- Soft, dome-shaped moles that have been stable for years
- Skin tags in the same visit, if you have them alongside a mole
If you are not certain what yours is, that is normal. Naming it is our job.
What laser is not the right answer for
- Any mole that has not been assessed, or that has changed in size, shape, border or colour. Those are for examination and, if needed, removal with pathology at the mole clinic
- Flat brown marks that are pigment rather than a raised growth. Those usually respond better to other treatments
- Anything that looks unusual to us. There is no version of this where we laser first and wonder later
What your appointment looks like
Assessment
We examine the mole, confirm what it is, and tell you plainly whether laser is right or whether it should be seen at the mole clinic first.
Numbing
A local anesthetic is used, so the removal itself is not painful.
Removal
The mole is vaporized in thin layers until it is level with the skin around it. Small vessels seal as we work, so bleeding is minimal.
Dressing
An ointment and a small dressing go on. No stitches to remove.
Review
We check the healed site and, for a thicker mole, decide together whether a short second session is worth doing.
Appointment Duration
Most appointments run about 15 to 30 minutes, and a few small moles can usually be done in the same visit.
Healing, day by day
Days 1 to 3
A small pink or grazed-looking spot with a light crust forming. Keep the ointment on and keep it covered as directed.
Days 4 to 10
The crust lifts on its own. This is the point where people pick at it, and picking is what causes the mark they were trying to avoid. Leave it alone.
Weeks 2 to 8
A pink patch that fades gradually towards your normal tone.
Months 1 to 6
Colour keeps evening out. Daily sunscreen on the spot through this window makes a visible difference to how it settles.
Honest note on scarring
Any removal leaves something behind. We aim for a flat mark that is hard to find rather than a promise of nothing at all, and how you treat the site in the first two weeks matters more than most people expect. Results vary person to person.
Who it suits, and who we ask to wait
It suits you if you have a benign, raised mole that catches, rubs or bothers you and you would rather avoid cutting and stitches.
We will ask you to wait if the area is broken out or infected, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have a fresh tan on the spot, or if your history suggests the skin needs preparing first.
If your skin is naturally deeper in tone or tans easily, the treated spot has a higher chance of healing darker than the skin around it, so we use gentler settings, often prepare the skin beforehand, and usually test a small area first. A clinic that skips that conversation is taking a chance with your skin, and we are not willing to.
Why patients come to us for this in London
We are an independent clinic with a mole clinic beside us, which means you get the convenience of laser removal and the safety of a proper assessment in the same group. If the honest answer is that your mole needs looking at more closely before anything is removed, we will say so and walk you across, rather than laser it because it was quicker.
Book a mole removal consultation
Book online at pinkalhealth.com, or call or text the clinic. The first appointment is an assessment, so you will leave knowing what the mole is, whether laser is the right method, and what it costs before anything is removed.
Frequently asked questions
Can you laser off a mole?
A benign mole, yes, once it has been assessed. A mole that has not been checked, or one that has changed in shape, border, colour or size, is not lasered here. The laser vaporizes the tissue, so nothing is left to send to a laboratory, which is why anything that needs testing is removed a different way at South London Mole Clinic.
Does CO2 laser mole removal hurt?
The area is numbed with a local anesthetic first, so most people feel pressure and warmth rather than pain. Afterwards it feels like a small graze for a day or two.
Will it leave a scar?
Any removal leaves something behind. Laser tends to leave a flatter, less noticeable mark than cutting and stitching, and most spots settle into a small pale patch that is hard to find. Keeping it out of the sun and leaving the crust alone makes the biggest difference. Results vary person to person.
How many sessions will I need?
Most benign moles come off in one visit. A thicker or more raised mole sometimes needs a short second session once the first has healed, which we decide at your review rather than selling upfront.
How long does it take to heal?
The crust usually lifts within about a week to ten days, and the pink patch underneath fades over the following weeks. Sunscreen on the spot through that period helps it blend.
How much does CO2 laser mole removal cost in London, Ontario?
It depends on the mole, its size and how many you are having done, so we price it at the assessment. You will have a clear number before anything is removed.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed to book an assessment. If we find a mole that should be examined more closely or tested, we will point you to the right next step rather than leave you to work it out.