Moles are clusters of pigment-producing cells that form dark spots on your skin. They're usually harmless and can appear anywhere on your body, often developing during childhood or adolescence.

Hair follicles can still exist in or near moles and can be targeted with light energy because the mole doesn't replace the follicle, it just sits on top of or around it. When a follicle happens to be located where a mole forms, hair can grow directly from that spot.

This is common and usually nothing to worry about. Plenty of people have moles with hair growing from them, and it doesn't mean the mole is abnormal or dangerous; it's just how your skin developed in that area.

Can Laser Hair Removal Be Performed on Moles?

Laser devices used during laser hair removal target pigment in hair follicles. The laser beam is designed to find and heat the melanin in your hair, but moles also contain concentrated melanin, which can absorb that energy unexpectedly.

Other clinics avoid firing the laser directly on moles as a safety precaution. Even if the mole looks normal, treating it with laser energy could cause irritation, burns, or changes to the mole's appearance that make it harder to monitor over time.

At Milan Laser, moles can be treated using the most appropriate laser for the skin tone. It’s possible that a mole will form a superficial scab but if you are comfortable with this, treatments continue as usual. If scabbing becomes bothersome to you, discuss with your Provider as settings can be changed or moles can be avoided altogether.

Why Waxing and Shaving Around Moles Can Be Risky

Waxing pulls hair from the root and can repeatedly traumatize sensitive skin around moles. Each time you wax, you're applying force to an area where the skin may already be raised or delicate, increasing the risk of irritation or damage.

There's also a risk of bleeding, scabbing, or accidental damage to raised moles. If wax adheres to the mole itself or strips pull too aggressively, you can tear the skin or cause lasting irritation that makes the mole harder to monitor.

Shaving can nick moles and cause inflammation or infection. Even a small cut on a mole can bleed more than expected and introduce bacteria, leading to complications that could have been avoided.

Safety Considerations and Expectations

Laser hair removal reduces hair growth over time. If the laser can't be applied safely to the mole itself, that specific hair may need to be managed with other methods like careful trimming or plucking. 

Scabbing is also possible, and at Milan Laser, it is a safety consideration.

What Happens During A Professional Consultation

At Milan Laser, your Provider conducts a thorough skin and hair assessment. They examine the areas you want treated, including any moles, to understand your skin type, hair characteristics, and any factors that could affect safety or results.

You'll discuss which areas can be safely treated and which need special attention. If you have moles in the treatment zone, your Provider explains how they’ll treat or work around them before starting treatment.

A customized plan is created that avoids unnecessary risk. Your treatment approach is tailored to your body, not a one-size-fits-all protocol, so you get effective hair reduction without compromising your skin's safety.