What To Expect During A Mole Removal Procedure

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If you have a strange mole on your skin, you are most likely concerned about its impact on your health and what your options are regarding its presence. If a mole is uncomfortable when touched or if you are upset by its physical appearance, you will most likely see a doctor to find out how to have it removed. Here is a rundown of the procedure a doctor will carry out in removing a mole from your body, in trying to ease your mind about the overall process.

Evaluating The Mole

Before your doctor takes any action, the mole will be evaluated visually to see if it seems as if it could be cancerous or not. A dermatologist will need to look at the size and color of the mole to decide how to proceed with its removal in a way where the skin will be saved to send for a biopsy should it look suspicious. 

Removing The Mole

Your doctor will give you a local anesthetic to numb the area where they will be working. If the mole is not very deep into the skin, they may be able to shave it off of your skin using a surgical blade along the edges of the mole. This procedure is done on moles that do not seem to hold cancerous cells. 

In most cases your doctor will use a scalpel to remove the mole from the skin. This will keep the mole intact so it can be sent to a lab for analysis. The doctor will cut around the mole with the scalpel and lift it from your skin. Another method that works similarly is to use a punching tool to remove the mole with a plug of skin. In both instances, you may need a few stitches after the mole is removed.

Caring For The Area

After your mole is removed, you will need to keep it covered with a bandage to help control any bleeding. Your doctor may give you pain medication if you had several stitches, to help numb the pain when your anesthesia wears off. You will need to go back to doctor for a follow-up visit to make sure you are healing properly and to have any stitches removed.

Topical medication may be prescribed to keep the area free of bacteria and to help in the healing process. If the mole grows back after your skin has healed, make another appointment with your doctor, as could be a sign of skin cancer. If you're looking for a skin doctor who specializes in mole removal, visit Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Specialists.


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