Mole Removal

So you have a mole that you cannot stand any longer. It lowers your self-confidence and you’re constantly bothered by it when you face the mirror. You decide you want to remove it. There are several steps of action you can take. A medical procedure may be conducted to remove the mole. There are also some natural ways to remove a mole. However each removal method has its positives and negatives.

Many individuals will find out that removing the mole is not their best option. Scaring usually exists after a procedure so the individual will decide to “just deal with it.” In other scenarios the mole must be removed because it’s cancerous. The situation varies on a case by case basis.

Moles, referred to in the medical world as “nevi,” if you didn’t already know, can range in size, color, and shape. Moles occur in several different layers and in various complexions. While the most typical shade of a mole is brown, it definitely not limited to that color. Moles often change shades due to pregnancy, sun exposure, or simple hormonal changes.

Surgically, moles are removed in a series of ways.

  • Removed with incision
  • Removed with incision but without stitches
  • Burn Removal
  • Laser Removal
  • Natural Removal

The major difference between the two incisions is obviously the lack of stitches on the later. Usually this procedure is decided by the physician as he or she may decide one method is much stronger than the other.

Thankfully there are some procedures where the physician must use stitches, but the stitches are never actually removed. Instead, the stitches eventually dissolve into the skin. Pretty creepy, I know right?

Laser removal is ideal because the pain induced and chance of scarring is both greatly reduced. However the laser is only a viable option on moles that are not very deep. The laser cannot penetrate like a personal incision can, so dermatologists will automatically rule out the procedure in a lot of situations. If you do qualify for laser removal and do select that option, keep in mind that laser removal is much pricier.

There are a few risks associated with mole removal. The most common type of risk is infection. Anesthetic allergy or nerve damage is also possible. Finding an appropriate doctor or experienced dermatologist will help reduce the risk factor.

While some may recommend saying money on the procedure by finding a great deal through a University and a trainee that is under the supervision of a physician, this is a completely personal decision and does come with some risks. Again it’s recommended to pay full price and find an experienced dermatologist.

However even with a qualified dermatologist, most mole removal operations will still leave a scar. The size of the scar varies. Some surgeons can accurately estimate the size of the scar before they conduct the procedure. If the chances are high that a large scar could form, many individuals will decide to forgo the procedure unless they have to (because the mole is cancerous).

Regardless of the procedure, the mole is usually prepared beforehand by cleansing the area treated. The area is then numbed with anesthetic. The procedure will vary in time depending on the size of the mole and difficulty of the procedure. All operations are done at the clinic and the patient may usually leave the office in a couple of hours.

For those wishing to remove the mole pain free, several natural methods do exist. Make sure you consult a doctor before attempting a natural mole removal method you either heard or read about.

Thankfully mole removal is a rather simple and inexpensive procedure compared to most. Several options exist so do not automatically jump to one before all the others are considered. A dermatologist knows best, so always seek their advice.