It is estimated that most people have between 10 and 40 common moles. While many moles are not dangerous, some moles may be related to skin cancer. Because of this, it is essential that you learn to monitor your moles for changes.

Whether you have a dangerous mole or simply want to remove a natural mole, mole removal surgery is one of the most effective forms of treatment.

Do you want to learn more about removing a mole? Keep reading this guide for everything you need to know about mole removal surgery, mole removal healing, and more.

What Is a Mole?

Natural moles, also known as non-cancerous moles or benign moles, are commonly recognized as dark spots on your skin. They can develop over time and are typically brown or black growths. Moles are clusters of pigment cells, also known as melanocytes, and can be raised or flat.

However, some moles can be cancerous and can spread, leading to serious health conditions when they are not removed.

What Is Mole Removal Surgery?

Mole removal surgery is a safe and effective option to completely remove moles from the skin. When done by a doctor or a dermatologist, it will minimize the amount of scarring left behind and will leave behind smooth, natural-looking skin.

There are many different techniques for mole removal. Most of these utilize local anesthetic, so the procedure is almost completely painless. Depending on the size of the mole, mole removal surgery also requires very little recovery time.

When Is Mole Removal Necessary?

Mole removal is only necessary if the mole is cancerous or precancerous. There are many ways that you can identify a suspicious mole. Most dermatologists use an ABCDE model to help patients remember what to look for when inspecting their skin.

This means that you should keep an eye on a mole that has issues with Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, and Evolvolution.  

First, you should check for asymmetry. If part of your mole is a different shape or looks different than the rest of your mole, you should have it inspected by a dermatologist.

Next, you can check the border of your moles. If you have a natural, non-cancerous mole, it should have a clear border that is regularly shaped! Moles that have borders that aren't clearly defined should be examined.

If the color of your mole is irregular, this could also be a sign that something is wrong. Moles should be a single color. It may need to be removed if it has different colors or different shades.

Moles shouldn't continue to grow past a certain size. A mole should be about 6mm or the size of a pencil eraser. If your mole is larger, it could be a sign that it is cancerous.

Finally, you may need mole removal surgery if your mole changes over time. Whether it changes in shape, color, or size, it could be a sign that a mole that is pre-cancerous or cancerous.

It can be difficult to know whether or not you need to get a mole removed. If you are worried about a mole on your skin, it is best to meet with your dermatologist regularly. They can inspect your skin to ensure that you have no new moles or that your existing moles do not look dangerous.

They can also biopsy your mole to see if it is a threat.

Benefits of Mole Removal Surgery

There are many reasons why you may want to remove moles, whether they are natural moles or cancerous moles.

If your moles are cancerous, mole removal surgery is a permanent option that will stop cancer from spreading to other areas of your body. Even if your moles are pre-cancerous, getting them removed can keep them from becoming a problem for your health in the future.

However, many people choose to remove moles simply for aesthetic reasons. If you don't like the appearance of a mole on your body, your doctor can quickly and permanently remove it to leave behind flawless skin.

Drawbacks of Mole Removal Surgery

There are very few risks associated with mole removal. Because of this, your dermatologist can remove a mole in their office! Still, there are a few potential complications that can occur with mole removal.

First, it is not uncommon for patients to experience bleeding after mole removal. This is especially common for larger moles or cancerous moles, as they usually require a deeper excision to remove them.

There is also a chance that your mole removal will result in scarring. While most doctors can stitch up the wound to make these very discreet, some scars may be noticeable.

Lastly, you may deal with wounds that become infected over time.

Mole Biopsy vs Mole Removal

In some cases, it is not necessary to remove a mole. Instead, your doctor may take a biopsy of your mole to see if it is cancerous or pre-cancerous. During this procedure, your doctor will take a sample of your mole's cells rather than removing the entire thing.

They will collect these cells by using a sharp scalpel to remove the surface of a mole.

Then, they will examine the sample and will let you know if it needs to be removed or if it shows signs of cancer.

What to Expect From Mole Removal

There are a few steps you will take before you start mole removal procedures. First, you will have a consultation with your doctor or dermatologist. This will allow your doctor to examine your skin for moles that look suspicious.

During this appointment, your doctor can also biopsy some of your moles and will go over the mole removal process with you.

If your doctor decides that removal is the best option, you will have an additional appointment for treatment. Your doctor will use a local anesthetic to numb the area and will determine the best mole removal technique.

Most often, doctors will excise or remove these growths with a sharp razor. They can also burn or freeze the area. The entire process will only take a few minutes. If the mole was large, your doctor will stitch and bandage the treated area to help the healing process and prevent scarring.

Because this type of surgery is minimally invasive, you will have very little downtime as you recover. The area surrounding the site may be tender for a few days as your skin begins to heal. Make sure you keep the site covered and bandaged for a few days and continue to check on the healing for a week or two after the removal.

If you had a large mole or a cancerous mole, these often require a deeper excision. This can increase the likelihood of scarring, so there are a few things you can do during recovery to prevent scarring.

First, you should avoid scratching or touching your skin as it heals. After a week or two, you can also use a moisturizing lotion to encourage healing. Make sure you avoid the sun and always wear sunscreen on the affected areas to prevent them from darkening in the sun.

Alternatives to Surgically Removing a Mole

While surgery is one of the most effective options for removing a mole, there are alternatives for those who want a non-surgical option.

For example, you may be more interested in laser mole removal. This is typically only done for natural moles, not moles that are cancerous. Rather than cutting off a mole, your doctor will use light radiation to destroy the tissue that makes up your mole.

However, you may need to receive multiple treatments to remove moles with this method.

Another way that you can remove a mole without a surgical procedure is by freezing it off. Similarly to removing a wart, your doctor can use liquid nitrogen to remove a mole. This may result in slight blistering but is still a minimally invasive option.

Finally, you can try natural solutions. H Mole is a mole removal solution that can heal moles naturally and can help you avoid the scarring that accompanies mole removal surgery.

Learn More About Mold Removal Procedures Today

Whether you are worried about the appearance of a mole or simply want to remove it for aesthetic reasons, it is important that you learn more about mole removal surgery. This way, you can decide what option is best for your needs!

If you want to learn more about mole removal, we can help! Our website features expert articles on health-related topics.

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