Mole Removal

Yes, and moles can vary widely in appearance. While most moles are harmless, understanding their different types can help you identify which ones may need attention.

The 3 main types of moles:

Regular moles are uniform in color, shape, and elevation. They are usually no larger than the size of an eraser on number 2 pencil. These harmless spots often resemble small dots on the skin and don’t require medical attention unless they change.

Atypical moles have irregular shapes, inconsistent colors, and larger sizes. While they are generally not dangerous, a dermatologist should screen them to rule out potential concerns.

Cancerous moles like melanomas, can develop from irregular moles, or they can appear on their own. These moles often grow in size, change color, or spread on the skin, requiring immediate evaluation and treatment.

Knowing the characteristics of different mole types empowers you to take proactive steps in monitoring your skin and seeking timely care if needed. If you’re in doubt about any moles you have, come in for a consultation. Our providers can help you determine whether or not mole removal is right for you.

Knowing whether a mole should be removed or not starts with close observation and professional assessment. Moles that exhibit any of the following ABCDE’s are of particular concern.

• Asymmetry (A): One half of the mole doesn’t match the other in size, shape, or color.
• Border (B): The edges of the mole appear uneven, blurred, or irregular.
• Color (C): The mole displays multiple colors of uneven pigmentation, such as shades of tan, brown, black, red, or even blue.
• Diameter (D): It’s larger than the eraser on a traditional pencil (about 6 millimeters).
• Elevation/Evolution (E): The mole is raised, changes in size, shape, or color, or develops symptoms like itching or bleeding.

Additionally, new moles that appear after the age of 30, or changes to existing moles, are red flags that warrant prompt evaluation by a dermatologist. Even if a mole doesn’t seem suspicious, removal may be the right action to take in order to prevent future complications.

Cosmetic mole removal is also an option. A screening for mole removal ensures that any risks are thoroughly assessed, giving you peace of mind about your skin’s health.

If you’re worried about a newly grown mole possibly being cancerous, it’s crucial to get a professional screening and removal to make sure the entire mole is removed. Aside from preventing any potential developments of conditions like skin cancer, mole removal is best done when the mole itself is small and can be easily removed.

Medical intervention for removing moles is the best way to make sure that your skin remains blemish-free – arguably even more so than cosmetic mole removal, which may not catch other skin conditions developing beneath the surface. We always recommend our patients to look for a medical expert on what to do next if they find a new mole, to guarantee that it’s medically screened and cleared by a licensed professional.

If your dermatologist believes a mole needs to be evaluated further, either the entire mole will be removed or just a small tissue sample of the mole will be taken, so as to examine its thin sections under a microscope (or a biopsy). This is quite a simple procedure: if the mole is found to be cancerous and only a small section of tissue was taken, the dermatologist will cut out the mole and a rim of normal skin around it.

If done properly, a medical mole removal leaves behind a smooth patch of skin where the mole used to be. You may need to follow a few instructions after your procedure to avoid any infections from the site while it’s healing, but your downtime shouldn’t last too long. If any adverse complications happen, you can contact Dermatology & Skin Health immediately to get yourself examined.