Esthetic removal of head and neck nevi and lesions with 4.0-MHz radio-wave surgery: a 30-year experience.

PURPOSE: The cosmetic removal of facial nevi and related lesions is a frequent patient request of cosmetic surgeons. Many patients live with esthetically bothersome lesions, unaware that scar-free or minimal scar treatment modalities are available.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The author has used a protocol of treating thousands of nevi and related benign lesions with 4.0-MHz radio-wave ablation during the past 30 years. A review of this technique is presented with substantiation by before and after images. Indications, diagnosis, and complications also are reviewed.

RESULTS

Conservative ablation of nevi and benign lesions of the face and neck can be predictably removed with minimal and frequently imperceptible scarring.

CONCLUSION

Facial surgeons see multiple patients on a daily basis requesting the removal of nevi and other benign lesions of the face and neck. Many patients are misinformed by experienced practitioners that the resulting scar will be worse than the lesion. This unfortunate dictum has been disproved hundreds of times by the author's treatment using 4.0-MHz radio-wave surgery to ablate benign lesions of the face and neck, with excellent cosmetic results. Even if practitioners do not offer this treatment, they should be aware that it exists and offer patients exposure to this modality.