Mole Removal

• Mole Removal Introduction
• Risks
• Mole Removal Preparation
• During the Procedure
• After the Procedure
• Next Steps
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Prevention
• Multimedia
• Synonyms and Keywords
• References
• Authors and Editors

Mole Removal Introduction

Moles, or nevi, are frequently removed for a variety of reasons. They can be removed by 2 surgical methods:

• Excision (cutting) with stitches: Click here to view step-by-step photos of this type of mole removal.
  
  
• Excision with cauterization (a tool is used to burn away the mole): Click here to view step-by-step photos of this type of mole removal.

Although laser has been tried for moles, it is not usually the method of choice for most deep moles because the laser light doesn’t penetrate deeply enough.

Typically, the doctor or dermatologist (a skin specialist) may choose excision with or without stitches depending on the depth of the mole and the type of cosmetic outcome desired.

• What is a mole?
  
  
  • Many people refer to a mole as any dark spot or irregularity in the skin. Doctors use different terms. But skin marks such as these are not treated the same way moles are and are not discussed here:
    
    
    • Birthmarks
      
      
    • Abnormal blood vessels (hemangiomas)
      
      
    • Keratoses (benign or precancerous spots, which appear after about age 30 years)
  
  
• What causes moles?
  
  
  • Some people are born with moles. Other moles appear over time.
    
    
  • Sun exposure seems to play a role in the development of moles and may even play a role in the development of atypical, or dysplastic, moles.
    
    
  • The role of heredity cannot be underemphasized. Many families have a type of mole known as dysplastic (atypical), which can be associated with a higher frequency of melanoma or skin cancer.

Next: Risks »

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Last Editorial Review: 5/1/2008