Moles, also known as "nevi," are brown or black spots on the skin. These dark spots are melanin that grows in clusters on the skin. Moles are generally harmless, but may be unsightly and sometimes cancerous if the moles are strange-looking. Moles can be removed at your doctor's office. If you are not sure whether or not your mole looks unusual, see a dermatologist or your general practitioner to be sure.
Step 1
Determine the reason for having your mole removed. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, everyone has moles, sometimes as many as 40. Moles are natural and, in most cases, it is not necessary to remove them and they are no cause for concern.
Step 2
Consult your doctor. If you cannot stand the way your mole looks, or you think it could be cancerous, see your general practitioner. She will examine the mole and see if it could be potentially cancerous. If she is particularly concerned about the mole, she may send a small slice of the mole to a laboratory for testing.
Step 3
Make an appointment for your surgery. If you and your doctor decide it is wise to get your mole removed, he will decide if he wants to remove it himself or refer you to a dermatologist. In particular, large moles that are difficult to remove may require a referral to a dermatologist.
Step 4
Ask your doctor what type of surgery the mole removal will require. In the case of small moles, a shave incision is used, where a small cut is made around the mole to remove it. Alternatively, a punch biopsy is used for small or medium-sized moles. In this procedure, a small circular device is used to punch a hole in the skin around the mole, then the area is removed. For larger moles or moles that may be cancerous, excisional surgery is often used. The doctor cuts an area of the skin surrounding the mole out in addition to the mole, then the wound is closed with sutures. Excisional surgery usually requires the longest healing time, although it depends on the size of the area that is removed.
Step 5
Attend your surgery appointment. Your doctor will use a anesthetic cream to numb the area around the mole, sterilize the area and make the incision. Depending on the size of the mole, the procedure can take from a few minutes, up to an hour.
Tips and Warnings
- Unusual-looking moles have borders that are fuzzy or change over time.
- Report any strange-looking or changing moles to your doctor immediately.
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