A spot that clearly disappeared but has appeared again... Why does it keep recurring?

Immediately after mole removal at the dermatology clinic, the face looks clear, but after a few months, the mole may reappear. Why does it keep recurring?

It is helpful to first understand the principle of how moles initially form. Moles are made up of a group of melanocyte cells called nevus cells.

They are classified into three types based on the location of the point cells.

Borderline nevus

Nevus cells gather at the boundary between the dermis and epidermis. Usually, they appear as flat, smooth, pigmented spots ranging from 1 to 5 mm in diameter, with a brown to black color, a smooth surface, and no hair. Over time, they gradually migrate deeper into the skin and may transform into compound nevi or intradermal nevi.

'Compound nevus'

The melanocytes form clusters at the boundary between the epidermis and dermis, with some extending into the dermis. The surface may be smooth or wart-like, and sometimes has coarse hair.

Intradermal nevus

All moles are located deep within the dermis of the skin. They are mainly found in adults, usually dome-shaped and raised, with colors ranging from skin tone to black. Many moles also have hair growing from them.

If there are remaining pigmented cells that were not completely removed through the procedure,

If the mole cells are completely removed through the procedure, the mole will not reappear. However, if mole cells that were not fully removed remain deep in the dermis, the residual mole cells can proliferate after the procedure is completed, leading to the formation of a new mole. Sometimes, it can recur even larger than before the removal procedure.

Small black spots are usually confined to the epidermis and are easy to remove. This is because most of them are acquired and do not have deep roots. On the other hand, raised bumps with a protruding appearance have deep roots and are difficult to remove. If pulled out recklessly, scars may form, so the spots should be shaved evenly according to the skin layer. In cases where the roots do not need to be completely removed, only the color is erased. This applies to brown or white spots that appear on the face and various parts of the skin. The color is eliminated using pigment laser.

I like removing moles after puberty.

It is better to have laser removal after puberty. Before puberty, when the sebaceous glands are less developed, the skin's regenerative ability is lower, which can lead to scarring after laser treatment.

To help the spot where the dot was heal well

To ensure that the area where the mole was removed heals like normal skin, proper post-procedure care is essential.

After removing the regeneration tape from the treated area, avoid using saunas, jjimjilbangs, or swimming pools for 4 to 5 days. Once the tape is removed, apply sunscreen carefully to prevent pigmentation from settling in the healed area.