Moles range in color, size and texture, according to Mayo Clinic experts, with most moles encompassing less than 1/4 inch of territory on your skin--less than the diameter of a pencil eraser. Moles are often removed if they become too large or interfere with shaving or if they are cancerous. There aren't any home methods or consumer products that allow you to remove moles yourself, but your dermatologist can be of assistance.
Surgical Excision
Surgical excision is one common method dermatologists use to remove a mole, says the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). This procedure entails cutting out the mole and stitching together the skin. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD) indicates that although surgical mole excision may be performed for cosmetic reasons, it's likely to leave behind a scar. This procedure is always warranted if a dermatologist suspects that a mole may be cancerous.
Shave Excision
The method is more appropriate for smaller moles in which the skin doesn't require suturing or post-treatment. First, the skin is numbed with an anesthetic. A dermatologist uses a small blade to cut around the mole, as well as beneath it. The AAD cautions you to never try to do this at home; if cancer is present, it will remain and even spread. You can also cause severe scarring and disfigurement.
Serial Excision
Very large moles may need to be surgically excised in stages, says the AOCD. Because the gap in the skin is too wide to be sutured together, a skin graft from another part of a patient's body is used. The grafted area will be more fragile than the surrounding skin. Scarring along the grafted area of skin will likely occur.
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