- Shaving moles occurs in the doctor's office. This is a good technique for small moles. A shaving involves a small blade that removes the mole. According to the Mayo Clinic article "Moles," the dermatologist cuts around the mole and underneath the mole after numbing the area. The skin heals without stitches or sutures. The article "Mole Removal" on the Derma Network website states "the mole is literally shaved off as close to the skin as possible." One of the disadvantages of this method is that shaving has the greatest chance of the moles reoccurring.
- Biopsies are used to examine a small sample of tissue to see if it is cancerous, but this same technique is also used to remove moles. With a punch biopsy, the doctor uses a small device that looks like cookie cutter. The article "Moles" on the Doc Shop website states that punch biopsy is done by "using a special device to 'punch out' a cylinder-shaped piece of skin." The Derma Network website states, "The punch has a sharp knife at its end and literally removes the entire mole." Punch biopsy is useful for all parts of the body except the face.
- Excisional surgery is best for moles that are very large, irregularly shaped or in problem areas like the crease of the elbow. With this procedure the doctor freezes the area and uses a sharp knife or scalpel to completely cut out the mole and a small area surrounding the mole. After the mole is gone, the doctor closes up the hole with sutures, reports the Mayo Clinic.
- Another way a doctor removes moles is with laser surgery. According to the Doc Shop website, "Laser mole removal is best for moles that are flat and brown or black in color." To completely remove the mole, one to three laser treatments are usually necessary. Laser therapy is not a good choice for large moles or moles raised over the skin surface.
