A removal procedure where a mole is shaved or cut to remove it from the skin.
What is it?
First, it’s important to understand that moles vary in color from your natural skin tone to pink, brown and black. They often appear during adolescence and teenage years and can be flat or raised on the skin’s surface. It’s common for 10 to 40 moles to appear on your skin by the time you’re an adult. Some grow slowly, and some even lighten or disappear over time. While most moles are harmless, if you have any areas of concern, come into our office, and perform a comprehensive examination. If necessary, we may even recommend removing the mole.Mole removal involves one of our expert dermatologists shaving or cutting the mole to remove it from your skin. Some people even want moles removed for cosmetic reasons, such as facial moles. We can help with this, as well.
What to expect
These are quick outpatient procedures. You should be able to drive home from your appointment and return to your normal daily activities. When considering mole removal, it’s important to avoid home remedies, as they can potentially cause harm. Instead, always seek the expertise of a board-certified dermatologist. To start, we’ll clean the area that needs to be removed and then numb it with either a topical numbing anesthetic or an injection. There are two mole-removal techniques: surgical excision (a scalpel is used to separate the mole from your skin) and shave excision (a single or double-bladed razor is used to shave the growth off the skin). Our board-certified dermatologists will discuss with you which approach is best. After removing the mole, the area will be treated and covered appropriately. You’ll receive clear instructions for caring for the wound at home, which typically involves keeping it clean and covered. Healing from the mole removal procedure may take up to three weeks. If you want to speak with one of our Associated Dermatologists board-certified dermatologiests at our Berkley, Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield, Commerce, or Novi Michigan locations, give us a call, and we'll schedule an appointment.