More about removing liver spots
What is a liver spot removal?
What methods are there to remove liver spots?
What criteria must be met to remove liver spots?
What are the advantages of removing liver spots?
What are the risks and complications of liver spot removal?
What is the cost of removing liver spots?
In the vernacular, a liver spot can also be referred to as a mole or a birthmark. Birthmarks are growths of pigmented skin cells, which are usually clearly distinguished by their coloration different from the normal skin. Liver spots vary in size and number depending on genetic predisposition and skin type. In order to eliminate a liver spot, one undergoes a surgical procedure by a specialist.
Each liver spot can potentially cause skin cancer or melanoma. For this reason, liver spots should be checked regularly by a dermatologist. If the dermatologist detects an increased risk of skin cancer, the liver spot is necessarily removed. Different methods are available to have the liver spot removed.
There are basically two different treatment methods that can be used to remove a liver spot or birthmark. Which method is most suitable for a patient depends on the size and characteristics of the birthmark as well as personal preferences. It is recommended to get the opinion of an experienced dermatologist or plastic and cosmetic surgeon in advance. Only then can the liver spot be individually and optimally removed.
Basically, the elimination of liver spots can be performed for medical or aesthetic reasons.
In order to have the liver spot removed by surgery, the patient should be free from any skin disease or inflammation in the skin area concerned.
The laser technique is only suitable for the removal of liver spots for aesthetic reasons. For this reason, only liver spots occurring on small, flat and non-swollen skin surfaces can be considered for removal.
The elimination of a liver spot or multiple liver spots is a surgical procedure that meets both medical and aesthetic requirements. The treatment can be used to remove malignant growths of a mole to significantly minimize the patient's risk of skin cancer. Eliminating a liver spot is a low-risk procedure with a fast recovery time.
Advantages at a glance
• Can remove malignant growths
• May minimize the risk of skin cancer
• Low risk treatment
• Short duration of surgery
• Short recovery time
Basically, the removal of liver spots is considered a very low-risk treatment method. If the procedure is performed by an experienced surgeon with sufficient experience, there are usually no complications.
It is quite normal for swelling in previously treated areas of the skin to occur immediately after treatment of the liver spots.
Occasionally, bleeding, infections and wound healing disorders can occur. However, these usually resolve themselves after a few days. If this is not the case, a post-treatment must be carried out. In rare cases, conspicuous scarring may occur.
If the birthmark is removed for medical reasons, the costs will be borne by the private and statutory health insurance. If the birthmark is treated for cosmetic reasons, the patient is liable.
The cost of removing the liver spots varies individually, depending on the extent of the findings.
Operative removal of liver spots
The most commonly performed treatment is excision, the surgical removal of liver spots. The affected skin area is cut out. This is the only treatment that ensures that the complete growth is completely removed from the skin. Subsequently, it is possible to perform a microscopic examination of the skin area that has been excised to exclude skin cancer. Potential skin cancer can be detected early and treated accordingly.
Treatment of the liver spots takes place under local anesthesia and takes around 30 minutes. At the beginning, the area of the skin on which the liver spot is located is extensively disinfected. The liver spot is either punched out or cut out using a scalpel, depending on its size. The wound is then closed with 1-2 sutures. Complete wound healing takes place within one week.
Laser removal
Another method to remove the liver spot, is laser technology. While practical, there can be no subsequent investigation for skin cancer in the laboratory. This method of treatment is therefore only suitable for removal of liver spots, which are performed for aesthetic reasons and in which the dermatologist can definitely rule out a malignant change in advance.
Other methods to remove liver spots
Nowadays, ointments from the pharmacy or specialist retailers promise a quick and gentle elimination of liver spots.
However, it should be noted that this treatment method does not guarantee a good result. Every skin reacts differently. In addition, ointment removal usually results in bleaching of the liver spot and not complete removal. Make sure to treat the liver spot professionally, not through self-experiment. Only then can risks and side effects be ruled out in advance. It makes perfect sense to exclude potential skin cancer by screening.