Removal of Unsightly or Unwanted Moles

Moles (also known as nevi) are common skin growths that can be flat or raised, various shades of brown or black, and appear anywhere on the body. While many moles are beauty marks that we live with comfortably, some can be a source of self-consciousness – especially if they are large, on the face, or have an irregular appearance. At Dermanom Aesthetic, we offer mole evaluation and removal services for patients who wish to remove a benign mole for cosmetic reasons or because it’s prone to irritation (like getting nicked while shaving). Our approach is always cautious: we first ensure the mole is likely benign through clinical examination (using dermatoscopy when needed) and if there’s any doubt, we proceed in a way that allows for histopathological analysis (lab testing) to rule out malignancy.

Mole removal is a minor surgical procedure performed under local anesthesia. Depending on the mole’s characteristics (size, depth, location), we have two main techniques:

Removal Techniques

• Shave Excision: This method is suitable for raised moles that are primarily above the skin surface. After numbing the area, we use a small blade to shave the mole down to flush with the surrounding skin. This removes the protruding part. We might lightly cauterize the base to stop any bleeding. Stitches are usually not needed for shave removals. The result is a flat wound that heals into a small mark similar to a light freckle or slightly paler patch. Shave excision doesn’t penetrate the full thickness of skin, so it has a lower risk of scarring than full excision, but there is a small chance the mole could slightly regrow if cells are left in deeper layers (though that’s rare and it can be re-shaved if needed).
• Surgical Excision: This method is used for moles that are flat or deeply embedded, or when we want to ensure complete removal. We numb the area and then use a scalpel to cut out the mole along with a tiny margin of normal skin around it. This typically creates an oval-shaped incision. We then close the opening with stitches – often layered dissolvable stitches underneath and fine ones on the surface. This technique removes the entire mole and allows us to send the specimen to pathology. It will leave a linear scar, which we plan carefully (for example, along natural skin lines or creases to be less visible). Over time, with proper care, the scar often becomes a thin white line.

In both cases, the procedure is done in-office and you can go home right after. The area will be numbed, so you won’t feel pain during removal, just maybe some pressure or tugging in case of excision with stitches.

Pre- and Post-Procedure Care

Before Removal: We’ll evaluate your mole. Avoid excessive sun exposure on the area before removal, as tanned or sunburned skin can heal with more discoloration. There’s no other special prep needed. Have a good meal and be hydrated so you’re comfortable. If the mole is in an area you shave, avoid shaving that area a day or two before to prevent any skin irritation or cuts. We’ll ask about any history of bleeding issues or keloid scars (some people form thick scars – not common with small excisions, but we like to know to plan).

Aftercare for Mole Removal:

• Shave Excision Aftercare: You will have a superficial wound. We’ll likely cover it with a pressure dressing for the first day. After 24 hours, you can remove the bandage, clean gently with soap and water, and then keep it covered with a fresh bandaid. Apply an antibiotic ointment if provided or a bit of petroleum jelly to keep it moist (moist wounds heal better and with less scarring than dry wounds). Change the bandaid daily until a scab forms and falls off naturally. This usually takes about 1-2 weeks. Avoid picking or scrubbing the area.
• Excision (Stitches) Aftercare: The stitched area will be covered with a sterile dressing. Keep it dry for 24-48 hours. After that, you can do light washing, but don’t soak it (no swimming or baths, showers are okay). Pat it dry, don’t rub. We might ask you to apply a bit of antibiotic ointment daily and re-bandage it until your suture removal appointment. If you have dissolvable stitches inside, they will dissolve on their own. Surface stitches typically come out in about a week (for face) to 10-14 days (for body) depending on location. Limit stretching or strenuous movement affecting that area (for example, if it’s near a joint or on your back, don’t do heavy exercise that could strain it). After stitches are out, you can start scar care – silicone gel or strips and sun protection to help the scar heal optimally.

We’ll give you written instructions and are available if you have any questions during healing. We may schedule a follow-up to check the site and to discuss pathology results if an excision was done.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a mole needs to be removed?
From a medical perspective, moles that change in appearance (size, shape, color), itch, bleed, or have irregular features (asymmetry, border irregularity, multiple colors) should be evaluated promptly, and often removed and tested. From a cosmetic perspective, it’s entirely your choice – if you have a mole that you simply dislike or it affects your self-esteem, that’s a valid reason to remove it. Another reason can be recurring irritation (like a mole that rubs on your shirt collar or a bra strap). During the consult, if we see any red flags (like features concerning for melanoma or dysplastic nevus), we will inform you that removal is strongly recommended for health reasons. Otherwise, if it looks benign, removal is elective and up to your preferences.

Will removing a mole cause it to spread or cause cancer?
This is a common myth. Removing or cutting a mole will not cause it to turn cancerous or “spread” cancer. If a mole is cancerous to begin with (e.g., a melanoma), removing it is the proper action to treat it. We always ensure any suspicious mole is excised with appropriate margins. Simply put, taking a benign mole off your skin does not pose any risk of causing disease – it’s actually proactive if anything ever seems off. We sometimes hear patients worry that “aunt so-and-so had a mole removed and then something bad happened” – but that’s correlation, not causation. It’s possible the mole was already malignant and that’s why it was removed. Rest assured, the procedure itself is safe and doesn’t induce malignancy.

What kind of scar can I expect?
The scar outcome depends on the method. A shave removal can leave a mark that is flat and round, often lighter than the surrounding skin, or slightly depressed. These can be quite subtle especially after several months. An excision will leave a line scar. We take measures to minimize it: using fine sutures, sometimes doing an intradermal (under the skin) stitch, and guiding you on scar care. Facial skin, for example, tends to heal remarkably well – many facial mole excisions heal to almost imperceptible lines after a year. Body scars can be a bit thicker especially on areas like the back or chest which are prone to keloiding in some individuals. We’ll ask if you have any history of thick scars. If so, we might suggest a shave removal instead if appropriate, or extra scar treatments. Additionally, avoiding sun exposure on the new scar is crucial for at least 6 months, as sun can darken a scar. We advise using sunscreen or keeping it covered. We can also provide silicone patches to put on the scar to help it mature nicely. Most patients find that the small scar is far more acceptable than the mole was, especially when it was in a prominent place.

Will the mole come back?
In the case of full excision with stitches, the mole is fully removed so it should not recur. If pathology confirms clear margins (no mole cells at the edges), then it’s gone permanently. In rare cases where a mole was only partially removed (either intentionally with a shave or unintentionally if it was deeper than expected), you might see some pigment return or a small bump of the mole reappear. If that happens, it can be evaluated and often a second procedure can tackle the remainder if desired. But this is uncommon especially when the procedure is done properly. If a mole does regrow, always have it checked because we’d want to ensure it’s still the benign mole coming back and not something else – often regrowth is benign, but it’s worth a look. We keep records and can do a re-excision if needed, usually at no or minimal charge for small cosmetic moles that sneak back.

How many moles can I remove at once?
This depends on the size and location of the moles and your tolerance. We can remove several small moles in one session, certainly. If they are all in one area, we can often numb that whole area and take them out together. If they are in different areas, we might need to do separate sterile setups, which can be more time and cost. Typically, doing 2-3 moles in a single visit is straightforward. If someone wants 10 moles removed for cosmetic reasons (say on the face or body), we might stage it in a couple of sessions so as not to create too many wounds at once, which can be uncomfortable and also harder to manage healing all at the same time. We also consider aesthetic outcome – removing one mole can draw attention to another if left behind, etc., so we plan carefully for symmetry and overall look. We will tailor a plan for you, possibly prioritizing the most bothersome moles first.

Is mole removal covered by Medicare or insurance?
If a mole is suspected to be atypical or malignant and is removed for diagnostic/medical reasons, Medicare often covers that (at least partially, depending on the item number and if you have a concession, etc.). If it’s purely cosmetic – meaning the mole is benign and you just want it removed for appearance – Medicare typically does not cover that, as it’s considered an elective cosmetic procedure. In our practice, we’ll be honest about the reasoning. We cannot falsely claim a cosmetic removal as medical; that’s against regulations. However, if the mole has even slight concerning features, we lean on the side of caution and that becomes medical. We’ll discuss any costs with you beforehand. We keep cosmetic removal fees reasonable and you’ll find it’s a straightforward process. Pathology (if done) might incur a separate lab fee – again, if it was cosmetic, that may not be covered, but if it was medical, it usually is. We’ll clarify all this during consultation so there are no surprises.