Mole Removal

In the dermatology world, we urge our patients to follow the “ABCDE” model of identifying possibly cancerous moles. It’s important to regularly examine your skin for moles that fit one or more of these descriptions and take note of any moles which change over time.  

Asymmetry

Look at your mole. If one section of the mole has a different shape, color, or appearance from the rest of the mole, you should let your dermatologist know.

Border

Most normal moles have a clear, regularly shaped border. If your mole has an irregular border or shape or is not clearly defined from the rest of your skin, you should have your doctor examine it.

Color

Your mole should not include different colors or different shades of the same color. This could be a sign that something is wrong, and your doctor should take a look at it during your next appointment.

Diameter

In general, concerning moles grow to a size of 6mm or larger. If you notice a larger mole, you should alert your doctor. However, a smaller mole that exhibits some of the other symptoms of a cancerous mole should also be examined.

Evolving

Any mole that changes over time should be examined by your doctor. Evolutions in color, shape, and size could mean that the cells are pre-cancerous or cancerous, and your mole should be biopsied and removed as soon as possible

A mole biopsy involves one of our doctors taking a small sample of a mole’s cells by gently shaving the surface of the mole and the surrounding skin with a sharp scalpel. This procedure is performed in our office with local anesthetic and takes just a few minutes. The resulting sample is examined in order to determine whether the cells are normal or show signs of cancer.

Removal can be performed for aesthetic or medical reasons, or a combination of both. Our doctor works carefully to ensure that all of the mole’s cells are removed. If cells are left over after treatment, a mole can regrow or, even more seriously, cancerous cells from a mole can spread to other areas. You’ll return to our office for post-removal check-ups in order for our doctors to check your progress, and we always recommend that our patients have at least one general appointment per year to keep their skin healthy and monitor their moles

Although moles can seem small and insignificant, it’s crucial to seek care from a trained doctor when pursuing mole removal. Never attempt to remove a mole at home, which is ineffective and can lead to injury. If a mole is determined to be cancerous, our doctors use the Moh’s surgery technique, which clears all cancerous cells while preserving the surrounding skin as much as possible.

For benign or non-cancerous moles, we can employ cautery, which safely burns the mole from the skin, or cryosurgery, which freezes the mole and causes it to fall off. Whichever technique we use, we always administer local anesthetic to ensure your comfort during your appointment.

If you’re considering removing one or more of your moles, our dedicated staff is ready to walk with you through this process. Here’s a general idea of what you can expect when you pursue treatment at our office

On the day of your appointment, we recommend not wearing any makeup if the target area is on your face or neck. Your doctor will administer a local anesthetic, which typically takes just a few minutes to numb the area. Then, depending on the type of mole and the removal technique required, your doctor will excise, burn, or freeze the area. You may feel minimal pressure, but you should feel no discomfort thanks to the anesthetic. Removal usually takes less than 10 minutes.

Once your doctor has completely removed your mole, they may place several stitches to help the healing process. They will bandage the treated area and give you instructions to follow during your recovery. You’ll most likely return in 1-2 weeks for a follow-up examination to ensure that the area is healing well. You’ll be able to return to your normal activities immediately thanks to the quick and minimally invasive nature of this procedure. However, you may choose to have 1-2 days of social downtime if your mole was removed from a noticeable area.

Removing a mole, especially a cancerous or pre-cancerous mole that can require a deeper excision, comes with the possibility of scarring. However, there are several ways you can help your skin heal and minimize scarring. First, you should avoid touching or stretching the treated area as much as possible to keep the skin tight and undisturbed as it heals. You should also avoid the sun, which can damage the healing area, and always wear sunscreen when you spend time outside.

Once about 2 weeks have passed and any stitches are removed, you can gently massage the scar, being careful not to disturb any scab which has formed. Using gentle pressure and a nourishing lotion can help invigorate the skin and encourage collagen production, which aids in healing. Finally, once your skin is fully healing–which can take up to 1 year after treatment–one of our doctors would be happy to help you decide on a skin rejuvenating treatment that could further minimize and fade any scar which develops.

Most treated sites heal completely in less than a month, although a larger or deeper incision could take 4-6 weeks to heal. After this time, you should continue to protect the area from the sun and may wish to explore scar fading treatments. However, the vast majority of our patients find that any scar created by removal fades naturally over the first year as the skin heals. Once your final results are visible, you should see no evidence of your mole. In most cases, you’ll be able to enjoy your newly smooth skin permanently.