There are a multitude of reasons as to why someone would want to get a mole removed. Health reasons would be the most predominant, but cosmetic reasons are a deciding factor too. I myself have had a couple of unsightly moles on my face removed, and I would go as far to say my mole removal has improved my self confidence considerably.
The mole removal procedure that you will have can vary, as not all procedures work for every mole. Before you consider having a mole removed, it’s wise to check with a skin specialist if you have any of the following:
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A mole that recently grew in size.
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A mole that changed colors.
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A mole with an irregular border.
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A mole that is not symmetrical.
This means that if you cut it in half, one side WOULD NOT match the other.
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A mole that changed shape.
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One that bleeds.
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Pain at the mole area.
The signs listed above are used to help ascertain if a mole is cancerous or not. The doctor will take a biopsy of the area to know for sure. They will normally do this type of procedure before any type of mole removal, to make sure that they are making the right decision, and decide whether they need to begin chemotherapy or not.
There are BOTH natural and surgical options when considering mole removal. You can have a mole naturally removed with creams or lotion. This takes more time depending on the type and size of the mole, it can even be several weeks before it is removed. Afterwards a red scar can appear and will normally go away a few weeks after the mole falls off.
There are three possible procedures if you utilize the services of a surgeon. Although, be warned , surgery can be prohibitively expensive.
The first procedure involves the removal the mole and the plug of skin that surrounds it. The surgeon numbs the area cuts out the mole and skin around it and makes stitches either inside the hole or on the surface depending on the depth of the mole. A scab forms and lasts about two weeks and then falls off leaving a red spot.
If the mole isn’t deep, the surgeon might recommend planning the mole off with a scalpel and then cauterizing it with electrical current to stop the bleeding. Again, it takes about two weeks for the scab to drop off. There are no stitches with this mole removal procedure, but it could leave a scar.
Another treatment for shallow moles is a laser removal of the mole. Generally, laser removal doesn’t cause scarring, but it isn’t effective on large raised moles. Again, the mole turns black and drops off in a few weeks.