Best Foods for Healthy Skin Slideshow Pictures How Much Is Psoriasis Affecting Your Life? Take the Skin Quiz

Medical Author:

Joel Schlessinger, MD

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

View Full Profile

During the Procedure

• Removal with simple cutting without stitches



• The surgeon takes a scalpel and shaves the mole off flush or slightly below the level of skin.



• Then, either an electrical instrument will cauterize or burn the area or a solution will be placed on the area to stop any bleeding.



• After this, a topical antibiotic is placed on the wound.



• The wound is then covered with a bandage.



• The doctor will give you instructions on how to take care of your wound. You are usually able to leave shortly after.


• Removal by cutting with stitches



• Moles removed by excision (cutting) with stitches are usually darker in color or flat moles, or both.



• The surgeon maps out the mole and then sterilizes or cleans the area and numbs it.



• Then a scalpel is used to cut the mole and a border surrounding the mole. The border size depends on the concern of the surgeon about the possible chances of precancer or cancer for the mole being removed.



• Depending on the depth, stitches are placed either deep (these are absorbed by the body and do not have to be removed) or on the upper surface of the skin (these don't absorb and will be removed later).