Radiofrequency mole removal aftercare

Radiofrequency mole removal leaves a small crater that heals over several weeks. Careful aftercare can further improve the cosmetic result.

What to expect as the wound heals

• First 2–3 days — the wound is a small crater in the skin. Keep the dressing in place and the wound dry.
• 1–2 weeks after removing the dressing — redness, mild weeping and early healing tissue are normal. A yellowish film (slough) may appear at the base.
• 4–6 weeks — the wound should look like a pink flat mark. A crust or scab may form; this is normal. Do not pick at it.
• Several months onwards — redness gradually fades. Scar remodelling continues for several months. Redness can occasionally take up to a year to fully resolve.

What is normal after radiofrequency removal

• Redness around the wound edges — a normal reaction caused by increased blood flow
• A small amount of straw-coloured fluid can occur during healing; increasing discharge or other warning signs need assessment
• Granulation tissue — red or dark pink tissue forming at the base of the wound. This is new healing skin that gradually matures to match the surrounding skin.
• Slough — a yellowish film at the base of the wound. This can occur during healing, but appearance alone cannot rule out infection. Follow the cleaning advice given for your wound and do not scrub the wound bed.
• A crust or scab forming over the wound surface in the first few weeks

Contact the clinic if you notice

• Bleeding that does not settle with gentle pressure
• Increasing redness, swelling or pain beyond the first 2–3 days
• Thick discharge or pus
• Fever or feeling generally unwell

Managing the treated area

First 2–3 days

Keep the dressing in place for 3 days. If you have had LED light therapy after the procedure, the dressing may sometimes be removed earlier. Do not immerse the wound underwater (swimming, baths, spas). You can briefly expose the dressing to water while showering. Avoid strenuous exercise or hot environments.

Removing the dressing

Your dressing contains a small alginate pad which absorbs fluid and supports early wound healing. If you return to the clinic for LED light therapy, we will remove the dressing at your first follow-up visit. If you are not returning to the clinic, remove the dressing after three days. Gently apply water to soak off any stuck-on padding.

If your mole was removed from a hairy or difficult-to-dress area, a spray-on film dressing may have been used instead. Keep this dry for 3 days, after which it will gradually dissolve as you wash normally.

After removing the dressing

Apply silicone gel (e.g. Epicyn) directly to the wound twice daily. We usually supply complimentary Epicyn on the day of your procedure.

Avoid antiseptics (including natural ones) and vitamin E cream. Use the wound-care gel recommended for you; not every silicone scar gel is suitable for an open wound.

Sun protection

Protect the area from sun exposure while the skin continues to heal. Healing skin is more prone to pigmentation changes. Apply SPF 50+ once the skin surface has closed.

Activity

Avoid swimming until the wound has fully healed. Avoid strenuous exercise for the first few days.

Pathology results

If a biopsy was performed, results are usually available within about a week. We will contact you when your results are ready.

Follow-up consultation

We usually ask you to return to the clinic 4–6 weeks after your procedure. At this visit, your doctor will examine the area using a dermoscope to check for early signs of scar overgrowth. Attending this appointment is important — early scarring is much easier to treat before it becomes established.

The risk of scarring and abnormal skin pigmentation is higher in younger patients and those with darker skin types, including people of Asian or African descent. If you are in one of these groups, your follow-up visit is particularly important.

Scar treatments

Occasionally a scar may become raised or pigmented during healing. If this occurs we can offer treatments such as:

• Fractional laser treatment
• Steroid injections
• BBL intense pulsed light
• Cryotherapy

The number and timing of scar treatments depend on your scar and its response. We reassess changes in appearance, itch or tenderness before recommending further sessions. We provide these treatments at no extra cost, as long as we feel they are improving the appearance of your scar.

There is a small chance your mole has not been completely removed. In this event, we offer a complimentary further mole removal procedure.

For patients wanting a more proactive approach to scar management, we offer a structured scar minimisation protocol. Contact the clinic to arrange a review if you have any concerns about healing or scarring.

If you notice a new or changing spot in the future, it is important to have it assessed with a skin cancer check.