A skin mole, or nevus, is a type of growth on the skin caused by a cluster of cells or melanocytes, notes the National Cancer Institute. Moles can occur anywhere on your skin and generally appear tan, brown, pink or flesh colored. Most moles are benign and are no cause for concern. If a mole is suspicious in nature, you may choose to have it examined and removed. Choosing the right kind of treatment is essential to optimal health.
Identification
One of the first things you need to consider before mole removal is identifying the mole. Most moles that have been on your skin since birth or a young age are likely benign nevi and are no cause for concern. Having a dermatologist perform a routine skin cancer screening will help to distinguish benign moles from aplastic nevi or melanoma, explains the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Normal moles are symmetrical in shape and are the same color throughout. If a mole appears suspicious, the dermatologist may decide to remove it or he may keep a close eye on it and ask you to return in a few months to see if it changes.
Causes
Causes for mole removal include cosmetic reasons and suspicion of malignancy. Many moles need to be removed because they are on the face or hands and lower your self-esteem. They can be unsightly or hard to cover with makeup or concealer. If you have raised moles that get caught on jewelry or clothing and often bleed or hurt, you may choose to have them removed. If the mole changes shape or crusts over, removal will be recommended for further biopsy.
Concerns
The main concern with any mole is that it may be cancer. While melanoma is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, the most common are basal cell and squamous cell, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Basal cell is a concern because it affects over one million people in the United States, reports the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. This cancer forms in the basal cells of the skin and appears as a flesh colored bump that doesn't go away. Squamous cell is a mole or patch of skin that is crusted over or doesn't heal. Aplastic nevi are also a concern because they are moles that contain different colors and can turn into cancer if they are not treated.
Removal
Removing most moles involves using a scalpel to shave the mole away. A local anesthetic is generally applied to numb the mole and the surrounding area. For a melanoma or aplastic nevi, the mole as well as the surrounding skin tissue may be removed. Laser removal is also used for moles that are above the surface of the skin, notes the Cosmetic Surgery website. If the mole is suspect for skin cancer, it will be removed and sent to the lab.
Care After Removal
Once a mole has been removed or lasered off, the skin area will likely scab over. The scab stays on the skin for about one to two weeks. It is important to not pick at the scab, or it could scar. Keep the skin covered when washing until it scabs over. If you had stitches, you may have to revisit the dermatologist in seven to 10 days to have the stitches removed. Look for signs of a clear, white or green discharge. Seek medical attention if you feel the skin area is not healing properly.
