Mole Removal

What is a mole?
A mole (“melanocytic naevus”) is typically a small, dark spot on the skin. Moles may subdermal (under the skin), or can be a pigmented growth on top of the skin, comprised of cells known as melanocytes. Melanin, the body's pigmenting agent, is responsible for a moles dark color. The most common types of moles are skin tags, raised moles and flat moles.

Mole Removal

There are several types of ways to remove moles:

* Lasers – medical lasers are used to remove flat moles, and certain types of raised moles. However, lasers may not the best method for removing moles because the laser only cauterizes or removes very superficial levels of skin. Moles often to go deeper into the skin where the laser can not reach.

* Freezing solution - freezing solutions such as liquid nitrogen are effective at removing moles. The freezing solution is applied to the raised mole. The doctor will then remove the mole with a scapel, and cauterize the area

* Electrocautery - is a method where the doctor removes moles and skin tags by applying an electrical cauterizing brand. The heat only reaches the outermost level of skin so that scars do not result.

* Excision – moles may be removed with a surgical incision. The doctor will make an eye-shaped incision around the mole, which makes stitching easier and more precise. Moles that are suspicious looking are generally removed surgically, so that the tissue may be analyzed by a pathologist to ensure that no cancerous cells are present.