How Do Dermatologists Remove Moles?

Why Remove a Mole?

While most moles on the skin are harmless, there are many benefits to having them removed under the right circumstances. Reasons for removing a mole may range from pure vanity to inconvenience when shaving. Also, if a mole is determined to be precancerous in nature, a full removal may prevent skin cancer from developing.

Removal Through Excision

The most common way for a dermatologist to remove a mole is through excision. Before the procedure, the doctor will fully clean the area and a local anesthetic will be applied to the skin. This will numb the surrounding area so the procedure can be done painlessly.

The dermatologist will then use a scalpel to slice off the mole as well as a tiny amount of good skin surrounding the offending area. Stitches may or may not be required following the procedure.

Laser Removal

Laser mole removal has become a popular alternative to traditional excision. Patients appreciate the less-invasive technique, and the chances of scarring are far less. Laser removal works by zapping the mole with light energy from a laser beam. The light energy hits the skin and is absorbed by the pigment. This pigment is then carried away by the body, thus pulling the darkness away from the mole. This same process can work with sun spots and freckles. More than one treatment session may be necessary for larger moles or those that are significantly raised.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is one uncommon method of mole removal. The dermatologist will apply or spray liquid nitrogen to the mole, which will redden and blister. With the temperature lowered far below freezing, the cells feeding the mole dies, and a scab typically forms. Within two weeks, the blister heals, the redness abates and the scab falls to reveal the healthy tissue beneath. While this may sound less invasive, the chances of scarring with this technique are far higher than other procedures.

Electrocauterization

Some dermatologists use electricity to burn the mole off, a technique also used to remove skin tags. This process is known as electrocauterization, and is often a less expensive method of removal than lasers or cryotherapy. The doctor applies an electrical wire to the mole and the pulsing heat destroys the tissue.