Mole removal...avoiding un-needed slicing/dicing

[deltafox]

Mods, i have read a bit of your commentary in previous threads but wanted to lob my particular scenario out for discussion.* I am 80mgs in MT-1 (not 2).* A pure type1 and enjoying the photo-protective and cosmetic benefits!*

I have noticed some rogue moles that have darkened to the point of looking like burnt-marshmellow black (2-3 are particularly concerning), and the skin is so weak they can be scraped off by the finger (they are very tiny but still).* I assume these are at risk of bad growth (melanoma) and should be cut out.* I tend to believe that the MT-1 has simply "pointed these out" and did not really create the problem, just made it more visible ahead of schedule (which could even be considered a benefit, like the tablets the dentist used to give you that would turn cavity risk areas red color).* Does this logic make sense??

From what you have said in the past, the best idea is to wait for after my cycle/seaon to end, let the MT subside a bit, and visit the derma during an off-cycle or a maintenance time frame.* However, given how 2-3 of these bad boys look in comparing to google images for stuff that is of concern and should be cut out, i want to do a doc visit in a week or two.

Ok, so just get them cut out, so what is the problem??* Given I won't be telling the doc about MT-1 use, I don't want to have him over-react to all the darkened moles and have TONS of them sliced/diced out when its simply the MT-1 effect of collecting in spots and PERHAPS not a concern under natural circumstances.* Am I making sense?* Another way of saying this is, I want the obvious problem ones cut out, but I don't want the MT-1 causing tons of FALSE ALARMS and causing me to be a cutting board when its really just MT-1 darkening them and not a sign of a risky growth.* What do you think/recommend?

Look forward to you take--thanks!

[deltafox]

hey Chris, just adding to what I read on historicals on your blog, it seems that I should consult with the derma about waiting to have any mole removal until the end of the summer/MT-1 season/cycle, to accomplish two things a) stopping the input of MT-1 into the system to prevent scarring (is this more of a concern with MT2 instead of 1?) and b) i have holiday and general summer activities packed through labor day and would prefer not to have bandages that prevent me from swimming, outdoor sports.*

I don't plan to tell the derma about the (a) factor, just (b).*

Is this still accurate/advisable?* Is (a)less of an issues with MT-1?

thanks!!

[Semin]

Great topic, thanks for listening to your body so well & looking out*

My stance/action would be to cease use of MT-1 (ASAP) and seek the council of a derm (hopefully one who is also a plastic surgeon...sometimes they are better skilled to remove & minimize scarring) after labor day - my doctor knows of my use, however I wouldn't open up necessarily (you're right & I am on the wave-length ) you know best!

[deltafox]

Ok thanks as always Chris. So I will stop MT-1 for the season and go get these suspect moles inspected by a good derma.

I feel that I really need MT1 over the long haul for photoprotection. I will report back after derma visit, but how do you think I can best manage? Maximize vigilence combined w frequent checks to the derma (one I'm targetting has digial skin mapping to monitor everything) and of course sunblock combined w slow builds of MT seasons? Is that a fair plan going forward and then can revisit after what derma says? Likely won't tell him abt MT1 just see what he says abt the suspect ones and all.* Any other suggestions?

Thanks for the quick responses for these sensitive/stressful questions.

[Semin]

Glad to hear, I think you're doing what's most important - thanks for looking out & sharing responsible strategy

I'd like to share that it's great to take breaks from the melanotan products. Being off completely myself for over a month, I remain content(/thrilled/proud/confident) with my color - amazing how long-lasting the effects are* 8)

I like your thought out plan, thumbs up from my end - I think your perspective and valuation of the product can only improve

Glad you are further knowledgeable going into the derm visit - worst case scenario (had you keep the MSH use to yourself) the doctor could be extra concerned and stress biopsy/cancer testing (where the risk isn't really warranted imho...as we know/expected the synthetic analogs to darken our dermis at super-physiological levels/rate) - good luck & be confident - hope you'll be treated well (some doctors are hesitant to remove and some are over-happy...)

[deltafox]

I must say the rapid responses esp on WEEKENDS no less, with your expertise are most comforting for the various stressful points along portions of trial/seasons. Will PM you to send bottle of wine/scotch for these efforts I insist at least for xmas if nothing else.

Anything special beyond just lotion you use to maintain color After a season?

So to reiterate for the forum, the rogue moles in shape/color, etc may appear to a derma as having cancerous risk, when MT users know that its most likely the work of the peptides in overdrive, yes? Its good to be prudent and just have these problem spots cut out I reckon if the peptide has helped identify them, then that's actually beneficial bc I wld assume its better to get sliced early so they can not fester and create problems down the road.* Hopefully he won't want to slice out too many false alarm spots. Will report back for more advice and so others can learn and benefit.

[Semin]

Enjoy the dialogue & learning - thank you deltafox!

[deltafox]

I'm back to post a recap of my visit to a very good dermatologist.* Hoping for Chris to weigh in. I will provide further updates.* So I was worried about 4-5 moles that had appeared to be abnormal in my opinion from researching (and being freaked out a bit).* From researching, I was quite certain that on my left knee I had keratocanthoma (wikipedia it if you want).* It has since gone way down and dried out and looks totally fine now.*

The derm looked at that with some sort of light instrument or magnifying glass (along with the rest of my skin on my entire body) and said very quickly to the one on my knee, and with confidence "nope, that isn't anything."* and to my specific claim of keratocanthoma, he said "thanks for the concern, but i doubt that, you are too young for that."

I pointed out every problem area that I thought was an issue and for ALL BUT ONE MOLE and I don't forget the exact term he mentioned, wish i could have remembered for us, but he said it was a non-issue, I suppose they were just irritations.* I think the term may have been the scientific term for just a "sun spot" or overall irritation of the skin follicles.* Any ideas?

So for the one problem mole---
One mole on my left leg had to be chunked out b/c it was very dark, had been scrapped off by hard scrubbing of a wash cloth, and was sensitive by squeezing the skin around it.* He said "i don't love this one b/c it has scabbed over, so lets have it checked out".* I think then the nurse used a needle to numb the area then she went in an grabbed a chunk out and it was sent to the lab or 1-2 week turnaround to "see how it is behaving".* Its just a small wound now that I use a band-aid over and it seems to be healing up.*

Chris, why is it the scabbing over on this one that caused concern and not the others?* I had a few other scaling/dark moles on my forearms that also scrapped off as they became dead skin/weak and i pointed him to in the examination and he said "no, they are all fine" or something to that effect.* They are all dried out and smooth, no sensitivity with these.* It was all going so fast I was trying to take everything in that he was saying.* When i reiterated the concern on the forearm with "are you sure these aren't a problem?", he said something like "if it was a growth, it would be growing, there is no growth here"

I also think that oily sunblock has created a bunch of acne or acne-like irritations in/around sun spots/moles that i assume are flare-ups and irritations from the UVR + MT1 + coppertone spray 30 that doesn't let the skin breathe.

Overall, the derm did say "you certainly have a lot of moles"; this is of course due to the fact I just paused/ended my season 85mgs in.* How do you reckon he will react when I revisit and they have subsided and gone less dark?

I do NOT plan to tell him of MT-1 use b/c I read that this could be flagged in my file and could cause issues with health insurance and I surely do NOT want to deal with the risk and red tape of that b/s.

For the general process, he said "i don't want you going home worrying about particular moles b/c the process is simply to have them checked, suspect ones he removes a chunk and sends them in. If ones come back looking like a problem, we will have them removed.* He suggested I should have this overall process done every 6 months if I want to be extra careful, or at least once per year, as we have heard."* I will certainly do every 6 months or more often, especially before, during, and/or after cycles of MT-1.

-Is there good reason to see a "second opinion"and have another screening with another top derma later?* besides the cost, could this be a good idea?* I would prefer to find one that does this chunk out + lab test as opposed to some I hear that simply 1) look for problem ones and 2) cut them out entirely.* this could make for many scars from false alarms that weren't confirmed to be concern via lab test.

I expected him to be chunking out 4-5+ moles b/c i was certain that I had some issues, so I was relieved a bit to only have one cause for concern.* Non-scientifically, I get the sense that the skin goes into a bit of shock for true type 1s during the first trial at least...that the MT-1 + UVR and oily sunblock floods certain melanocyte clusters and darkens the hell out of some, causes acne-like irritations, and can put a scare in some dermatologitsts.* Overall, my skin didn't scare him too much, and I much more confident if I can be at peace with knowing that MT-1 is providing some internal protection for the longterm as opposed to going without it and relying only on sunblock, given I can never get any tan which means some burns regardless of how careful one is when engaging in fun summer activities and outdoor sports.*

-Do we think/theorize that the skin will freak out LESS (have less shock) with subsequent cycles of MT-1 as the years go on?* I would think and hope so, but would like to hear what others have to say on this.* This would be good b/c its stressful to have these new flare-up areas arise.*

thanks and look forward to some input!

[Semin]

amazing, so thrilled to hear all was well & the incisions were kept to a minimal experience (always great to find doctor talent!)

It's wild how there are these experiences of dramatic pigmentation change that go beyond expectation. Myself, am curious (have a* loose theory) how my body went about losing a prominent birthmark...the light brown patch only presently noticed to a trained eye, otherwise blending in since first successful run of melanotan w/ photo-therapy. Unsure how or why some are able to use home remedy for successful pigmentation removal otherwise..

I recall also pointing out a couple pigmentation concerns to multiple derms/surgeons who told me to relax (and watch) as well (where I was preferring the one-visit, do not cross-sell/string me along & do what I request - please remove these concerning marks too...now, lol). like yourself, I valued greatly having multiple opinions btw

Finding the right sunblock is very helpful, currently when ordinarily exposed I like to use aftershave with 15spf (gilette..cheap) and on the forearms, neck, knees and face I like a couple neutrogena products, spf 15 & 20 (sometimes the generics deliver value)

You're wise to keep the melanotan product use private, the mib is real monster. Doc would probably happy to see you next year, year and a half w/ healthier skin - i am sure. Meanwhile in 6-9 months, see someone else if a glowing referral happens to come your way...never know - best of luck!

What's certainly great about melanotans is that indeed less and less is needed over time. The melanin established in the skin is long-lasting..allowing for long breaks from use and long term use safe/acceptable - as the water soluble peptide hormone is non-toxic (however should be treated as a very potent peptide hormone). Been years since I have burnt my skin (made plenty of mistakes along the way), great to reflect on the occasions before, on and off the melanotan analogs (and tanning...).

[deltafox]

Chris and all, providing update from dermatologist phone call today after lab test of the chunk of skin sample taken from an abnormal mole: GREAT news for me--it was "abnormal" but not cancerous or pre-cancerous, so nothing to stress about.* they said it requires keeping an eye on and frequent checkups in general, as anyone probably should on MT and/or with fair skin.*

when in the sun, i plan to keep these waterproof band-aids i got at the pharmacy on this mole and one other that i think is also abnormal so its doesn't get direct UVR.* All, think about doing the same for your own trouble spots.*

now for my theory on this derma visit/skin response to MT-1]
I think MT use has its tradeoffs with respect to hyperpigmentation-on the positive side]
(+) you get to see proactively where your trouble spots are and have them examined and removed if need be instead of having it sneak up on you in 20 years or fester for an unnecessary length of time...with no real alarm signal or supplement pointing them out.* MT-1 also just simply raises our level of vigilance on the skin as well, which i reckon is a good thing vs. inaction and laziness which could be even worse.

(+) many/all will die down in the off-season i suspect

(+) less MT will be needed in subsequent cycles, which hopefully will point out less hyper-pig and hopefully not NEW hyper-pig spots.* i hope that with further years of use, the hyperpig with be both a) less than this initial shock to the system* b) require less MT-1 so less intrusive on my skin and c) hopefully not point out NEW areas i've i dose and gain UVR in a responsible non-burning method with 30spf and declining to 15spf at times.

on the negative side--

(-) MT-1 in me with this particular dosing cycle/frequency, ramp up, and UVR that i had this summer caused some false alarms and flare ups of melanocyte cluster spots.* also "pulls forward" your skin trouble/risk areas in general.* for me, this is a tradeoff i think just has to be managed as i do believe that MT-1 is also providing very valuable and needed photoprotection for the lifestyle i must lead (outdoor sports, etc).*

(-) can cause you to be sliced/diced if you go to a derma that is not good or favors cutting right away...suggest having things chunked out and lab tested to manage this downside of being cut up for false alarms of MT cycles if you visit during/shortly after a cycle

thoughts?

[Semin]

Thanks delta, grateful for the post - my thoughts are that you have a great perspective on the pros/cons & I think that men/women of a certain age are going to venture out in nature. It's impossible & unhealthy to tell such a large population (sensitive to the sun) to stay indoors/hidden/covered. I think there is great benefit with sports and cosmetic...it's well worth the experience/costs/side-effects.
Further I feel pigmentation is extremely beautiful, as when you notice the melanin change in an expecting mother (to protect baby, nipples...).
Moreover thanks for the safer tanning tip, I had not thought to cover my scar(s) with band-aids!