Moles are common skin lesions found in almost all people. Certain beautymarks are desirable while others are not. Unsightly moles can now be removed with little to no scarring via laser or an excision. Moles that change, bleed, or irritate should be removed and examined to make sure they are not abnormal.
Mole & Birthmark Removal FAQ
A: Before the mole is removed, the area is cleansed and then an anesthetic is applied to numb the area. The type of mole being removed determines what technique is used. Depending on the technique, stitches may or may not be used.
For excision of the mole, the surgeon uses a scalpel to cut the mole and a border of good skin surrounding it. The surgeon will determine the size of this border. Stitches are placed either deep within the skin, or on the upper surface, depending on the depth of the excision.
For the procedure that involves no stitches, a scalpel is used to shave the mole allowing it to be flush with the surrounding skin. Then using an electrical instrument, the doctor cauterizes the area to stop any bleeding. Topical antibiotic is applied to reduce risk of infection. Shaving removes the protruding surface of the mole, but it can leave mole cells beneath the skin and may grow back.
Mole removal typically takes less than an hour to perform, depending on the amount of moles to be removed.
Note: Laser treatment is another method of mole removal. While scarring is not an issue for this technique, it is important to know this is not a method used for treating deep moles because the laser does not penetrate deeply enough