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Researching a procedure and talking to your provider is an important first step in considering the removal of a mole. If you’ve recently found a mole on your body that you’ve never seen before or are considering the removal of a mole that has been present since childhood, here are some details and more of what to expect before, during, and after the mole removal procedure.
What Exactly is a Mole?
A mole is a skin lesion. It can be a flat, raised patch of skin that doesn’t change in size or shape, or it can be invasive. Moles are classically defined as dermal nevi, which are benign lesions that typically appear on the face and neck of children and adults alike.
Moles can be a big part of your natural beauty and they add character to your face. Most moles will appear by the age of 20 but they’re more common among older adults. The average person has approximately 30 to 40 moles on their body, but there are some people with more than 500. Some moles may develop growth or change in texture, which can make them harder to spot. If you do notice a mole on your body that looks different than the rest and it seems suspicious or abnormal, you should book an appointment and see a dermatologist as soon as possible.
What Causes Moles to Appear?
Moles may appear on the skin for many reasons. For one, genetics can play a role in the amount of melanoma in your family. Sun exposure can also cause cancerous moles to appear and lead to the development of atypical or dysplastic moles as well as other skin cancers.
Are New Moles a Health Concern?
Moles are benign growths that appear on your skin as a dark or light-colored circle, oval, or raised spot. Moles can be raised, smooth, flat, or irregular in shape and some may bleed slightly when they are irritated. While most are harmless, there are a few that may be worrisome. That’s because new or changing moles could potentially be a sign of cancer.
How Will I Know If My Mole Is Cancerous?
If you notice a suspicious mole on your skin, it’s important to see a dermatologist as soon as possible. Our medical team will examine the area and determine if it’s cancerous. If there’s no cancer, you can rest assured knowing that none of your body has been exposed to anything harmful – instead, we were able to simply remove it quickly and safely for you.
The mole is removed using a laser. Once the mole is removed, it’ll be sent to a lab for further observation, also known as a biopsy. If the results are positive, that means the mole is cancerous. As a result, the entire mole and some of the surrounding areas will have to be removed to reduce the number of cancerous cells in your body.
How Are Moles Removed?
There are different methods to remove moles. Laser, punch removal, shave removal, surgical excision and freezing are the most common ways to get rid of them. The mole removal techniques will depend on your case, but it is advised that you seek medical attention to avoid any complications or side effects related to any mole removal procedure.
Laser Mole Removal-
Laser treatment for moles is a safe and effective way to remove unsightly moles and dark spots from your skin. The laser works by emitting a burst of light that heals the skin and destroys the cell membranes, leaving behind new healthy tissue. This procedure is better for hard-to-reach or sensitive areas, such as under your arms, backs, and legs.
Punch Removal
Punch removal is a method to remove scar tissue, acne scars, and wrinkles by using a specialized punch tool that pushes into your skin and twists it until we cut through the skin layers.
Shave Excision
For a shave excision, we will use a razor or a device with an electrode to remove the mole. An incision is then made over it to reduce its surface area to be shaved by scraping away the surrounding tissue.
Surgical Excision
A surgical excision procedure involves cutting off the mole and the subcutaneous fat layer, stitching the incision closed and then removing a small portion of skin underneath the mole. In most cases, the stitches will dissolve within a month.
Freezing
The process of freezing a mole involves the injection of liquid nitrogen. Let’s imagine that you have a noncancerous mole on your skin and want to know if it is best to freeze it off or just get rid of it. As the name suggests, it has been mostly used in medicine and surgery, but now it is being used to treat skin conditions too.
Book a Consultation to Learn More
As with any type of cosmetic procedure, it can be easy to feel intimidated by the idea of having a mole removed. But, don’t let this prevent you from being serious about getting the right treatment for your skin. At Euromed Clinic Dermatology, we want to make sure that we help educate our patients about the process and benefits of having moles removed so that they can make a decision that is best for them. Also Read: Best Body Pillow for Pregnancy
