Description
Mole removal offers a solution for individuals seeking to remove unwanted moles from their body. This procedure can be performed using various methods; a mole can be shaved off, surgically removed, or removed through laser treatment.
Length
About 15 minutes to 1 hour.
Side Effects
Skin irritation, different degrees of scarring.
Recovery
No downtime.
Risks
Possibility of infection, allergic reaction to the anesthesia, or nerve damage.
Results
Permanent.
Technology
The type of removal method is determined by the surgeon, and depends on the condition of the mole. Shave excision is typically used to treat protruding moles; after the skin is numbed with a local anesthetic, the mole above the surface of the skin is removed with a scalpel. If the mole is flat or if melanoma is suspected, excision biopsy is necessary. Through this method, a doctor removes the full depth of the mole and the wound is sutured. Because lasers seal blood vessels and evaporate the tissues they remove, the need for cutting and sutures is eliminated when undergoing laser treatment. (Coarse hair that sometimes grows in a mole can only be removed permanently with excision of the whole mole.)
Patient Status
Outpatient -
Anesthesia
Local