Mole and Lesion Removal with CO2 Laser

CO2 laser ablation removes benign pigmented lesions, moles, seborrheic keratoses, warts and other skin surface growths with precision and minimal scarring. The CO2 laser emits infrared energy that is absorbed by water in the tissue cells, vaporising the target lesion layer by layer under physician control. At DermaClinique Písek, this procedure follows dermoscopic assessment to confirm the lesion is benign before removal — a critical safety step that distinguishes medical-grade practice from beauty-salon removal. MUDr. Jůzlová, Ph.D. tailors the ablation depth to the lesion type to achieve the cleanest cosmetic result with the least impact on surrounding tissue.

CO2 (carbon dioxide) laser ablation is the gold standard for non-surgical removal of benign superficial skin lesions. The laser emits infrared radiation at 10,600 nm — a wavelength absorbed almost exclusively by intracellular water. When focused on tissue, this causes instantaneous water vaporisation within target cells, ablating the lesion with a narrow zone of thermal coagulation at the margin that simultaneously seals blood vessels and minimises bleeding. **Why CO2 over other methods:** Compared to electrocautery, CO2 laser ablation is more precise and produces less thermal damage to surrounding tissue — important for cosmetic outcomes and for delicate anatomical areas (eyelids, lips). Compared to surgical excision (scalpel), CO2 ablation is sutureless for superficial lesions, produces a smaller and less visible scar, and does not require a specimen to be sent for histology (which is instead obtained via prior dermoscopy — see the Preventive Mole Examination service at DermaClinique Písek). For deeper lesions where histological confirmation is mandatory, surgical excision is the appropriate choice, and MUDr. Jůzlová will guide patients accordingly. **Lesions treated:** - Pigmented nevi (moles) — following dermoscopic benign confirmation - Seborrheic keratoses (brown, warty, 'stuck-on' lesions) - Viral warts (verrucae) - Fibroepithelial polyps (skin tags) where laser is preferred over electrocautery - Dermatofibromas (small, firm skin nodules) - Milia (small keratin cysts) **Workflow — assessment before removal:** DermaClinique Písek requires dermoscopic assessment before CO2 laser removal of any pigmented lesion. This clinical standard ensures that no potentially malignant lesion is ablated and destroyed before pathological diagnosis — a risk present when lesions are removed at non-medical settings without prior examination. If the dermoscopy at the Preventive Mole Examination session has already confirmed a lesion is benign, the CO2 removal can proceed at the same or a subsequent appointment. **What to expect during the session:** EMLA anaesthetic cream is applied to the area 30–45 minutes before the procedure (available for +100 Kč). Once the area is numb, MUDr. Jůzlová ablates the lesion with the CO2 laser under direct vision. The process takes 10–20 minutes for a single lesion. A small wound approximately the size of the lesion remains — this crusts over within 24–48 hours and the crust falls off within 7–14 days, leaving a small pink mark that fades over 4–8 weeks. **Aftercare:** Keep the wound dry for 48 hours. Apply healing ointment (Bepanthen, Cicaplast or similar) twice daily until the crust separates. Avoid sun exposure on the treated area for 4–6 weeks; use SPF 50 when outdoors. Avoid swimming pools and saunas until fully healed.