We remove growths for cosmetic reasons or to biopsy a mole for skin cancer, repairing your skin for your desired appearance.
Mole removal is a procedure to eliminate moles from your skin. This procedure is performed for cosmetic reasons—if you’re bothered by the appearance of a mole—or to biopsy a mole for potential skin cancer.
The method to remove a mole depends on factors, including the mole’s size, location, and the type of mole. Common mole removal techniques include surgically cutting out the mole, shaving off the mole, removing a mole with a laser, or applying liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the mole.
Ideal candidates for mole removal are people who have noticed changes in existing moles or have developed new skin growths that appear unusual. People bothered by the appearance of benign lesions or moles may also benefit from this procedure.
If you think you’re a good mole removal candidate, schedule an appointment with our team today.
A mole removal procedure is a minor outpatient procedure where you’ll be numbed with local anesthesia. The mole removal method will depend on the size, location, and type of mole.
Surgical Removal: Dr. Virden uses a scalpel to completely remove a mole and a small margin of surrounding skin.
Shave Removal: This is a quick procedure where a blade is used to gently shave off the mole, leaving a shallow indentation. Shave removal is often used for small, flat moles and doesn’t require stitches.
Laser Removal: This laser procedure uses concentrated beams of light to target and destroy mole tissue. It’s often used for small, flat moles and is less invasive than surgical removal.
Freeze Removal: Liquid nitrogen is applied to the mole, freezing and destroying the tissue. It’s usually a quick procedure with minimal discomfort.
Post-removal care is important for proper healing and to minimize scarring (if surgical).
Results of your mole removal vary depending on the reason. If a mole was removed for cosmetic reasons, you can expect an improvement in skin appearance. If it was removed for biopsy, we’ll work to get you those results and what steps to take next.
Surgical Removal: Keep the area clean, dry, and protected from sunlight. You can anticipate a small scar and potential discomfort for a few days. It’s important to watch for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or pus. You can contact our office with any concerns.
Shave Removal: Care involves keeping the area clean and dry, applying a topical antibiotic, and avoiding sun exposure. Expect a flat scar, but the mole may recur.
Laser Removal: Expected results are a reduction or complete removal of the mole, with potential for scarring. This procedure often has minimal discomfort and downtime.
Freeze Removal: You can expect a blister to form, which will eventually scab and fall off, revealing new skin. You should watch for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or pus.
A mole should be removed if it shows signs of skin cancer or is causing significant distress. Certain visual signs are changes in size, shape, or color, and you may notice bleeding, itching, or pain. Moles in areas prone to irritation or moles that bother your appearance might warrant removal.
Mole removal for cosmetic reasons is considered elective and is not covered by insurance.
Cancerous moles often follow something that are referred to as the ABCDE characteristics.
A: Asymmetry, or uneven shape.
B: Border irregularity, or ragged or notched edges.
C: Color variation, such as multiple shades of brown, black, red, white, or blue.
D: Diameter, in this case being larger than a pea.
E: Evolving, like changes in size, shape, and color.
Some moles are raised due to the way melanocytes—the cells that produce pigment—cluster and grow within your skin. This extra growth of cells can cause the mole to elevate above your skin’s surface. Factors like inflammation, sun exposure, and hormonal changes can also contribute to why a mole is raised.
The depth of mole removal depends on the method used. For shave removal, only the top layer of the mole is removed. For surgical removal, the entire mole and a small margin of surrounding healthy skin are removed, usually around two millimeters deep.
When it comes to treating your skin growth, getting fast treatment and answers are important. Our medical team holds thorough consultations to go over all aspects of mole removal and to answer any questions. If you are concerned about a mole or abnormal skin growth, we suggest that you call our office as soon as possible to schedule a consultation and receive high-quality treatment.
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