Getting a mole removed is a big step. Some people may choose to leave their moles if they are noncancerous, while others may still want to remove them because they are unattractive and lower their self-confidence.
Your primary care physician will refer you to a dermatologist for a mole diagnosis and treatment advice. To ensure the mole is not cancerous, your dermatologist will want to do a biopsy to take a sample of the mole tissue and send it to a laboratory for further testing.
If the test results return positive, the mole has cancerous cells and must be removed to save your life. There are only two viable methods for removing cancerous moles: surgical excision and surgical shaving. The dermatologist can advise you on which is best for your particular situation.
Surgical Shave
A surgical shave is effective for removing smaller moles. You still need a local anesthetic to numb the area, but the procedure will remain minimally invasive. The doctor uses a small razor to shave tissue off the mole. They may even shave a small amount of tissue underneath the mole to prevent it from regrowing. You won’t need stitching afterward because they don’t cut into the skin.
Surgical Excision
A surgical excision is effective for removing bigger moles, especially cancerous ones. The doctor uses a sharp scalpel or blade to surgically remove the entire mole and small portions of the skin surrounding it. They will have to cut into the deepest layers of the skin to remove all cancerous cells from the area. Once the doctor removes the mole, they will stitch up the affected area and advise you to leave it alone to give it time to heal.
Are The Risks Worth It?
Mole removal procedures have little risk because a professional dermatologist performs them. Of course, if you were to attempt to remove a mole yourself surgically, then it would be a much greater risk because you don’t have the training or experience to perform the surgery safely and effectively. Only a dermatologist has the qualifications to surgically remove a mole safely.
Surgical shaving procedures come with virtually no risks at all. You may feel minor soreness on the affected area for a few days, but that feeling will disappear quickly. As for the surgical excision, it comes with the risk of infection and possible scarring afterward.
The best way to reduce infection and scarring is to follow the doctor’s post-surgery instructions. They will advise you on cleaning, covering, and treating the stitched wounds until they fully heal. Ensure you follow their advice to the last detail to lower the risk of infection and scarring.
Some people may experience minor bleeding from the wound area. In this case, use a clean cloth to apply gentle pressure to the area. Maintain the pressure for about 20 minutes or until the bleeding stops. However, if the area continues to bleed after 20 minutes of applying pressure, you should immediately visit the doctor or an urgent care facility.
