Are you wondering how mole removal works?

If you’ve got a mole on your skin that you are unhappy or concerned about, you may be wondering how mole removal works. Most moles are harmless, even if they are raised, rough or have hairs growing from them. There is normally no need to worry unless they change size, colour or shape. If that is the case, it is advisable to visit your GP. But experienced dermatologists can also offer mole checks and skin cancer screening and can advise on the best options for removal.

Your dermatologist might recommend simply shaving the mole off, using heat, cold, or laser treatments, or using surgery to remove the mole. No matter what procedure you might have done to remove the mole, you will need to ensure that you know how the procedure works and what your dermatologist might expect from you. So that’s what this article is all about!

Shaving And Removing

One of the easiest ways to remove a mole (especially if the mole needs to be removed purely for cosmetic reasons) is often done by shaving the mole. The mole can be removed by the shave excision process. In order to remove the mole, the dermatologist will use a single- or double-bladed razor and carefully shave off the growth. It’s no different from you shaving any other body part, and once the growth is shaved off then the remainder of the skin around it will be shaved off as well.

Once everything is fully shaved the skin might be lightly cauterized to prevent the scar caused by the removed mole from being too unsightly in appearance. While removing moles through shaving is a safe and effective procedure, the moles removed in this way are more likely to come back than those removed by surgery. So, if your mole happens to be cancerous, then it must be removed by other means.

Using Surgery To Remove Moles

If your GP or dermatologist believes your mole might be cancerous, then you need to have it removed immediately. A surgeon will clean and numb the area where the mole resides, and then a scalpel is used to cut the mole away and separate it from the rest of the skin.

Additionally, if cancer is a concern, they will often take away some healthy skin in order to ensure that any surrounding cells are also removed.

Once the mole is separated, they will remove the mole with forceps and then put pressure on or cauterise the area in order to stop any bleeding. Finally, the area will be stitched back together.

Heat, Cold, and Lasers

Some dermatologists and surgeons will use lasers, heat therapy, or liquid nitrogen cryotherapy to remove moles. While these techniques do work and will have some results, for most moles that you want to have removed, you might find that the previous two mole removal methods mentioned are more effective for you. These methods don’t leave a sample of your mole behind to study, and also most moles are able to come back. Plus, if some moles are benign and yet get treated and removed with some of these methods, they can come back with the features of skin cancer. These often cause more problems and will need you to take on more surgeries in order to get the mole fully removed.

This is why you need to ensure you visit a GP or an experienced dermatologist before making a decision on what mole removal treatment is the best option. Considering mole removal purely for cosmetic reasons with considering other implications is not a good option.

Post Mole Removal Procedure

No matter what type of procedure you end up using, your dermatologist will ensure that the area around the mole is treated with petroleum jelly and then they will cover the area with a bandage. Keeping the area moist with jelly and then cleaning the area every few days will be enough to treat the area.

You might have a cool scar where your mole used to be, but whether you removed the mole for cosmetic or health reasons, you will be able to see your life and your health improve. Just make sure to keep an eye on the area to make sure the mole doesn’t come back. If it does come back to the same area, then you need to go see the doctor again to have it inspected.

Pick The Right Clinic

Even though most mole removal procedures are low risk and you shouldn’t have any problems with them, you still need to pick the correct clinic to remove your mole. If you happen to live in London then you might like to consider a London mole removal service from the London Dermatology Clinic. They will work with you to inspect your mole and also to outline the best procedure to remove it so you fully understand how mole removal works.

No matter why or how you want to get rid of your mole, you need to do so quickly and with the best dermatologists. The London Dermatology Clinic is an excellent option as it has a team of UK-accredited doctors and an expert laboratory analysis facility.

Last but certainly not least, if your mole is diagnosed as cancerous, do consider lifestyle changes to help improve long-term outcomes.