Mole Excision
Whether they’re a beauty spot, barely noticed or the bane of your life you will have moles on your body. In fact an average an adult will have between 10-40 moles on their body, irrespective of sex and skin tone. While most skin moles are easily ignored some may be unsightly making you feel self-conscious or cause discomfort, particularly if rubbed by clothing. Others may be more serious presenting a symptom of potential health problems or other skin issues. The skin is the largest and most noticeable organ of the body, which is why it’s essential that your skin is healthy and you are happy.
Treatments for Mole Removal
Our dermatologist can remove moles within our clinic, and occasionally during your initial consultation. If several moles are being treated further visits will be required to ensure each mole can be safely removed. We have two methods of treating moles, shaving and excision.
- SHAVING
Moles that protrude from the skin can simply be shaved away by the dermatologist under local anaesthetic. A scalpel is used to shave the mole allowing it to be flush with the surrounding skin. Then using an electrical instrument, the doctor cauterizes the area to stop any bleeding. A topical antibiotic is then applied to reduce risk of infection. Shaving removes the protruding surface of the mole, but it can leave mole cells beneath the skin and may grow back. Shaving is a relatively straightforward and painless that requires no stitches. A pink mark may be left, which will fade over time.
- EXCISION
For excision of the mole, under a local anaesthetic, the dermatologist uses a scalpel to cut the mole and a border of good skin surrounding it. A small stitch in the skin is required and will either be placed deep within the skin, or on the upper surface, depending on the depth of the excision. A small scar will be left, which will fade over time.