Mole Removal: A Comprehensive Guide On What To Expect

Moles are what we would refer to as skin growths. Most people are more likely to have more than one on their bodies or faces. In fact, humans generally have between 10 and 40 moles on their skin. These clusters can be observed as a flat spot on the skin if they stay in the epidermis or as a raised hump if they extend into the second layer of skin (the dermis).¹

Genetics is important when determining if a person is more likely to have moles. However, in addition to genetics, exposure to sunshine or ultraviolet radiation may also play a role in the development of aberrant or even malignant moles over time.²

Fortunately, the majority of moles are benign and pose no threat. You don’t need to have a mole removed except if it bothers you or if it is cancerous. However, you may still choose to do so if you don’t like what it looks like or because it causes irritation.¹

What is mole removal?

A dermatologist removes a mole from your skin by shaving or cutting it. Your medical practitioner can check the mole for skin cancer via a brief outpatient procedure if the need arises. Conversely, many people remove moles mainly for aesthetic purposes.³

Signs of melanoma to watch out

Dermatologists may advise for a mole excision and biopsy to rule out melanoma if they find an abnormality or believe that there is a potential risk of cancer in the mole.

If the growth seems to fit the following description, a dermatologist might suspect melanoma and advise a biopsy:

Asymmetrical:when the mole is smaller on one side than the other
Colours:when the mole is discoloured or differently coloured
Evolving:when the mole undergoes changes over time
Border:when the mole has a blurry, irregular, or jagged border
Diameter:when the mole becomes wider in length

The growth becomes more suspicious the more of these criteria it fits. However, evaluating the moles through these guidelines is not advised on your own, as early melanoma can occasionally be challenging to spot, even when using these criteria. That’s why it’s important and crucial for you to get routine dermatologist skin examinations done. These skin exams should begin in your early 20s and continue every year after.²

How to remove moles

Mole removal is a relatively straightforward process, and treatment options for benign lesions include surgical excisions and lasers. The treatment method for removing the nevus cell clusters is also determined by their location.⁴

Surgical excisions

A dermatologist will use a scalpel to perform an excision on bigger or deeper moles to remove a smaller ellipse of the mole and surrounding skin tissue. Stitches are used to seal the wound, leaving a scar. The dermatologist will then remove the stitches after a couple of weeks.

A mole can be removed surgically, which leaves fewer scars and gives pathology confirmation that no hazardous skin cancer was missed in the process.²

Laser

Pigment-specific lasers and ablative lasers can be combined to produce cosmetically comparable outcomes. Melanosomes and melanocytes are precisely targeted by pigment-specific lasers, improving the cosmetic result with fewer adverse surgical consequences.⁴

Recovery time and aftercare

Your general health and the extent of the mole you have removed will affect how quickly you heal. Healing time following mole removal will most likely last two to three weeks. You’ll be able to go on with your daily business during this period, though you could feel a little sore. You should adhere to the wound care guidelines your healthcare professional provides to encourage healing and avoid infection.

Once the surgery is done, you will have a wound where the mole was removed; this wound needs to be kept clean, wet and covered. Ensure that you change the dressing as directed by your healthcare professional, which may be every day. Apply sunscreen to the affected region whenever it is exposed after the wound has healed.³

Conclusion

Moles can be removed for several reasons, including cancer and cosmetic concerns. Make an appointment with your doctor or a dermatology clinic if you find a growth on your skin and are worried about it so that it can be carefully examined and, if required, removed.

Angeline Yong Dermatology is a clinic that is well-established to offer a range of services for all your dermatological needs. For a mole check in Singapore, don’t hesitate to reach out to us and we’ll offer you a variety of treatment alternatives for you to peruse. Visit our website today to learn more.

References

Watson, S. (2021, December 8). Mole removal: What happens, how it’s done, and more. Healthline. Retrieved December 13, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-remove-moles

Seow, S. (2022, November 8). What to expect before, during, and after mole removal, according to experts. Health. Retrieved December 13, 2022, from https://www.health.com/condition/skin-conditions/mole-removal

Mole removal: Surgery, aftercare & scars. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2022, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23312-mole-removal

Reddy Bandral, M., Gir, P. J., Japatti, S. R., Bhatsange, A. G., Siddegowda, C. Y., & Hammannavar, R. (2018). A Comparative Evaluation of Surgical, Electrosurgery and Diode Laser in the Management of Maxillofacial Nevus. Journal of maxillofacial and oral surgery, 17(4), 547–556. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12663-018-1081-8

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Mole Removal: A Comprehensive Guide On What To Expect￼

Mole Removal: A Comprehensive Guide On What To Expect