Cindy Crawford just wouldn’t be Cindy Crawford without her trademark “beauty spot” above her upper lip, and Marilyn Monroe would be a different woman indeed if she were devoid of facial moles. Most of us mere mortals, however, seek to remove moles from the more obvious parts of our body, especially if they are particularly large, bothersome or suspected to be pre-cancerous.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a mole with an irregular border is a warning sign of skin cancer.
But removing moles, also known as nevi, is something not to be taken lightly. Any mole should be looked at by a qualified medical professional, not just a beauty therapist, before any removal is carried out. While plastic surgeons are qualified to remove moles, a doctor should look at it first – and carry out analysis after removal. And please note that very hairy moles are a different story altogether; some laser treatment, for example, will remove the mole but not the hair, which will have to be dealt with at a later date.
Usually one of two methods is employed to get rid of a mole: excision with stitches, or excision with cauterization. Your plastic surgeon or dermatologist will help you decide which is the best method for you (and your mole).
- Excision with cauterization, or shave excision. After the areas is cleansed and numbed, the surgeon will “shave” the mole off, either flush with the skin or a bit deeper. The areas will then be cauterized, or burnt, to stop bleeding, then you will have an antibiotic cream applied and a bandage placed on top to keep the area clean. The mole tissue will then be analyzed in the lab to make sure it was not cancerous.
- Excision with stitches. Same as above but instead of shaving the mole it will be cut away, then stitched up. This method is preferable with moles that are either very flat or dark – or both. Please note after any type of mole removal the area may be red and sore for a while, and that you will need to apply a decent sunscreen on the area for at least six months as you will experience some sun sensitivity.
Keep in mind also that mole removal can leave you with scars, and in the case of an incompetent surgeon, nerve damage. In some cases, you may still be left with traces of the mole as well, and infection is also not unheard of. In general, allow about an hour for a mole to be removed.
Be aware also that some skin “irregularities” may appear to be moles but are actually something else. Keratosi, for example, appear on the surface of the skin usually after age 30, and are often benign and not moles at all, although they may resemble them (See more below). Birthmarks are not moles, and neither are hemangiomas, or collections of blood vessels that form underneath the skin but which may resemble a mole.
While laser surgery may be recommended for some moles, it is not usually the removal method of choice for moles which are quite deep as the lasers do not penetrate deep enough. Your surgeon might be recommending lasers for marks which are not actually moles, but something which lies much more on the surface, such as a keratosis.
Freeze Therapy isn’t usually thought of as being great for mole removal although it can work on certain types of keratosi such as sebborheic keratosi– although it may leave scars. These look somewhat like “barnacles” on the skin and never become malignant, although they sometimes can be hard to distinguish from a cancerous melanoma, but they can also itch and become a real nuisance. The success of freeze therapy, which uses liquid nitrogen, often depends on the skill of the practitioner.
Why Moles?
Why we get moles is fairly straightforward. We can be born with them, they can appear as we get older, or the sun can influence their appearance. Heredity plays an enormous role in the types of moles we get and their number: if you wonder whether or not you’ll ever be as moley as Great Auntie Wendy, the answer is probably a resounding “yes!”
We can prevent some moles from forming, however, by wearing the right factor sunscreen and protecting our skin from sun damage. Keeping an eye on how our moles look over time is often important, as self-examination can be vital when it comes to catching skin cancer early on.
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends keeping an eye of the following warning signs, when it comes to moles, and seeing a skin specialist immediately if you notice anything suspicious. The signs include a skin growth that increases in size and appears pearly, translucent, tan, brown, black, or multicolored.
A mole, birthmark, beauty mark, or any brown spot that:
- changes color
- increases in size or thickness
- changes in texture
- is irregular in outline
- is bigger than 6mm or 1/4”, the size of a pencil eraser
- appears after age 21
- A spot or sore that continues to itch, hurt, crust, scab, erode, or bleed
- An open sore that does not heal within three weeks
Non-Surgical Mole Removal Methods
Of course, there are other cheaper options to get rid of moles if you want to forsake surgery – but unfortunately they don’t really work. They include:
- Creams that boast moles can disappear in a week – or less. You might lose the mole, but you might gain a raised, red scar in its place. Also, this can be dangerous as all moles should be analyzed by a doctor after removal to see if they show signs of cancer.
- Potions that claim to boost the immune system from the inside so you never again get moles or skin tags. Yeah, right.
If you have loads of moles, either learn to live with them or see a specialist. Lotions and potions won’t really work, the only thing that does is surgical excision or, in some cases, laser therapy. So get with the program – and get rid of those moles!
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate medical professional.
