Cautery
A simple procedure using radiowaves to remove moles, birthmarks and skin tags. Performed under local anesthetic to ensure you remain comfortable during the treatment. A device called a radiosurgery electrode is used to gently shave the mole away from the surface of the skin. Immediately after the procedure, it is natural that the wound looks pink. Lesions should be covered with a dressing for at least 24 hours. The resulting crust usually falls off after about 2 to 3 weeks. Skin will gradually come back to its normal colour, leaving a minimal scar or no scar at all.
Radiosurgery does not employ a ground plate but rather an antenna that gathers the radiowaves and channels them back to the machine. The antenna, which does not need to be in direct contact with the patient, is Teflon coated so it cannot shock or burn the patient.
Benefits Of Cosmetic Radio-Surgery
- Tissue removal occurs at a very superficial skin level
- Minimal damage to surrounding tissues
- Minimal scar tissue formation
- No pain, no stitches, no bleeding, minimal post-operative swelling or infection
- Enhanced healing
- Excellent cosmetic results
Conditions That Can Be Treated
Moles, warts, skin tags and other so called ‘lumps and bumps’ can be both upsetting to look at and cause social and psychological unease for those whose face is blighted by such growths. With increases in the occurrence of skin cancers, you should be well advised in advance to seek professional, medical advice about any growths which appear overnight or change dramatically in appearance. Though most growths are benign and harmless, and removal is often quick and simple with reassuring cosmetic results.
Radiofrequency cosmetic mole and skin lesion removal are used in the treatment of:
- Dermal naevus (mole)
- Seborrhoeic keratoses
- Skin tag
- Angioma
The Difference Between Electrosurgery & Radio-surgery
This surgical modality is very different from traditional electrosurgery and other forms of electrocautery as it can simultaneously cut and coagulate tissues without applying any pressure.
Traditional electrosurgery devices cut skin tissues using electric current which is passed through the patient and using the electrode tip to provide resistance, effectively causing high temperature heating of the electrode tip and excessive lateral.
The principle of radiofrequency or radiowave surgery is that it uses high-frequency radiowaves, at 4.0 MHz, to deliver low temperatures through radiofrequency (RF) micro-fiber electrodes. The waveband utilized is similar to the frequency of marine band radios.
The difference between this method and electrosurgery is that the tissue serves as the resistance instead of the electrode. This means there is no heating of the RF micro-fiber electrode by the use of low-temperature RF radiowave energy. Instead, the intracellular tissue water provides the resistance and vaporizes without the heat and damage seen in electrosurgery.
How Does This Treatment Work?
Radiowave skin lump removal works through using a very fine loop of platinum wire, which is as thin as your hair. The wire is used to brush the mole thereby vaporizing the mole or the skin tag. As the fine platinum loop is waved with radiofrequency, it removes the pigments but also coagulates all the blood vessels. Therefore, there’s no bleeding during the procedure. There is no heat involved meaning there is minimal scarring.
How Long Does This Treatment Take?
The actual skin lump removal is very quick. It takes less than five minutes to remove a mole. Before removing any mole, Dr. Vicki will take a look at your full medical history and explain the procedure. After ensuring that the areas/moles to be treated are non-sinister, Dr. Vicki will explain to the patient whether the mole needs to be removed or can be kept. Sometimes, a mole does not look nice and therefore the patient might decide for aesthetic reasons to remove it like seborrheic keratosis which is a benign mole and can be left but the patient may decide to have it removed for aesthetic reasons.
Is This Treatment Safe?
RF skin lump removal is a safe and effective procedure. Surgeons regularly use radiosurgery during various operations at hospitals. Radiowaves may interfere with cardiac pacemakers and can not be used in such patients. We usually do not perform RF cosmetic surgeries during pregnancy but it is safe while breastfeeding.
Prior to removing the mole, we always examine the lesion to make sure it is not cancerous. Suspicious lesions will be sent to pathology for further examination.
What Are The Risks?
It is theoretically possible to experience minor electrical shocks or burns – if you were to touch another metal surface during the procedure. However, we make sure you are in a suitable position for the treatment and not touching any metal surfaces or objects.
Is There Anything I Have To Do After Treatment?
The treated area will be raw and pink for approximately five days. Do not rub, scratch, or pick at the area. You can have your regular shower 24 hours after the procedure and start using makeup after 5 days.
Apply a thin layer of moisturizer or antibacterial ointment to the treated area several times a day to keep the area constantly hydrated for the first week. You can then apply ASTRAA's Intense Recovery Cream ( ask us which will work best for you ), twice a day till the skin is completely restored.
Treated spots should be protected from sunlight for at least 8 weeks. A broad-spectrum sunscreen (EG: ASTRAA's Complete Sun Protection) should be generously and frequently applied to the treated areas at all times.
** If you notice increasing redness, swelling, tenderness or throbbing pain after the procedure, contact us immediately.
Am I Suitable For This Treatment?
If you want to learn more about how to remove undesirable moles, skin tags, skin lumps without the hassle associated with invasive cosmetic surgery, contact us here and schedule an appointment with Dr. Vicki today. Feel free to send us some photos instead if you are unable to find the time for a consultation. Our qualified staff and doctor here at VIDASKIN is here to help you achieve your aesthetic goals so you can look and feel your best.