The official medical term for moles is "nevi." According to the Mayo Clinic, these are usually harmless clusters of skin cells that have a higher concentration of melanin--skin pigment--in them than the surrounding areas. Moles appear as small, dark brown spots (though they can also come in a variety of other colors) and can be located anywhere on the body. Keeping a close watch on your moles is important, as some moles can become cancerous. If you notice that a mole is turning darker or changing shape, the best way to get rid of it is through various types of surgery. These surgeries are performed at a doctor's or dermatologist's office.
Step 1
Undergo a shave excision. This is a very basic surgical procedure used to remove smaller moles. It involves the doctor numbing the mole and the surrounding area, then cutting out the mole with a scalpel. According to the Mayo Clinic, this procedure doesn't require sutures.
Step 2
Have excisional surgery. This is very similar to a shave excision, except that the mole is usually larger, and therefore after the doctor cuts it and a portion of the surrounding healthy skin out, sutures will be necessary.
Step 3
Ask your doctor for a punch biopsy. If the doctor deems it to be the appropriate procedure for your particular case, she will use a device that resembles a cookie cutter to remove the mole by making a small incision in the skin.
Step 4
Undergo laser surgery. This method is often used by dermatologists. It is very similar to the methods described above, except that instead of a scalpel or a punch-biopsy tool, a laser that uses high-energy pulses of light is used to destroy the mole tissue, all while doing the least amount of damage to the surrounding healthy tissue.
Tips and Warnings
- If the doctor deems it necessary, she may use an electric needle to destroy some deeper tissue under the mole to make sure it does not grow back after surgery. Some scarring may result from this procedure.
