Why Should You Have A Mole Removed?

Moles are naturally occurring skin features. They develop when skin cells grow abnormally, leading to raised areas of hyperpigmentation. Moles should be checked periodically by yourself or a doctor since some moles can become cancerous over time. Dermatologists can provide mole removal treatments if necessary. Here are four reasons that you might want to have a mole removed:

1. You are bothered by its appearance.

Benign moles are harmless. However, some people find the appearance of moles undesirable, especially when moles are located in highly visible areas like the face or neck. If you're unhappy with your appearance due to a mole, you should contact your dermatologist for a mole removal treatment. Your dermatologist can use mole removal techniques that are less likely to cause scarring, such as shave excision or laser removal techniques. These methods don't require stitches or deep excisions into your skin.

2. You feel pain or discomfort.

Most moles cause no discomfort. However, some people find that a mole suddenly becomes painful. Moles located in areas that receive a lot of friction may be uncomfortable as well. If your mole causes you discomfort, removal is an option. Mole removal is performed with the aid of a local anesthetic. You may feel some pressure during the operation, but it will not be painful. After the healing process is completed, you should feel no lingering discomfort at the site of the excision. 

3. Your dermatologist recommends mole removal.

Dermatologists may sometimes recommend that patients have certain moles removed, often due to cancer concerns. Moles are more likely to be cancerous if they're asymmetrical or larger than the diameter of a pencil. Uneven coloration is another possible sign of cancer.

If your dermatologist believes you may have skin cancer, they will likely choose to perform a surgical excision, which will remove the mole and a little of the surrounding skin. The goal of this type of excision surgery is to remove all of the potentially cancerous matter. After a surgical excision is performed, your dermatologist will use sutures to close the surgical site. Your removed mole will be sent to a laboratory for testing, which can confirm a suspected skin cancer diagnosis.

4. You are considering performing a home mole removal.

Some people try to remove moles on their own using liquid nitrogen. However, removing a mole on your own is dangerous. Home mole removal can lead to infections and scarring. If you're considering trying to remove a mole yourself, schedule an appointment with your dermatologist instead.