Everything You Need to Know about Mole Removal
Having moles on your skin can be stressful,
since they are often the root of insecurities and, what’s worse,
constantly make you fear they can turn into cancerous growths.
Realistically, though, the majority of moles are not dangerous at all,
but there are suspicious exceptions that make you wonder if you should
get them removed.
Below we explain everything you need to
know about mole removal methods, as well as clarify which moles warrant
removal to begin with. But before we do that, let’s clear up a few
bothersome myths about skin moles that you may have encountered.
Myth #1 If you cut or accidentally tear off a mole, it will certainly
grow back as skin cancer
This myth is actually partially true. Tearing off a mole or cutting it
accidentally can happen, and the resulting wound can bleed and become
infected, but the majority of moles won’t grow back. If a mole does grow
back, however, it may be a sign of cancerous growth and you should get
it checked by a doctor.
Myth #2 It’s dangerous to pull out hairs
growing out of a mole
Certain moles, especially those we have since our childhood can grow
hairs, and that’s perfectly normal, but not particularly aesthetically
pleasing, especially if the mole is in a visible area. But despite
popular belief, pulling out or trimming these hairs will not cause any
harm.
On a different note, we’d also like to point out that not all moles that
grow hairs are benign, so if you do see changes and an increase in the
size of a particular mole, irrespective of any hair growth, make sure to
check it with a dermatologist.
Myth #3 Cutting moles off is an outdated medical procedure
This myth is completely false. Not only is surgical removal the safest
way to get rid of a pesky mole for good (when done professionally), but
it’s also the best way to preserve some of the tissue to test it for
cancer.
Over-the-counter creams and natural remedies (such as apple cider
vinegar, garlic, iodine, frankincense oil, etc.), on the other hand,
even when effective, were found to cause severe scarring and keloid
development.
Suspect a skin spot may be worth a doctor's
visit? Read our guide to different skin conditions.
Myth #4 If a mole is located in an area that’s not exposed to the sun,
it can’t be cancer
While it’s true that sun exposure can increase the likelihood of a mole
turning into a cancerous growth, unfortunately, skin cancer can develop
in any area of the skin. That’s why any mole or spot on the skin that
exhibits malignant symptoms should be taken seriously, even if it never
sees the sun.
Myth #5 Moles are contagious
While it’s true that moles are hereditary, which means they can be
inherited from your parents, but they are not transmittable from person
to person.
There are some other factors that increase your likelihood of having
moles apart from your genetics, though, in particular:
Light-skinned people are more likely to get moles than dark-skinned
individuals.
People who live in a sunny climate are more likely to have moles.
Which Moles Should be Removed?
The majority of moles are benign and don’t have to be removed. The 2
cases when a mole should be removed are:
1. If it’s irritating or troublesome.
You may hate the way a mole looks
on your body or it may be troublesome because it’s rubbing against
clothing. Both are legitimate reasons for a mole to be removed.
2. If it shows signs of cancer.
Moles that
change in color or shape, grow, start itching, cause pain, get red or
inflamed may be malignant melanoma. But even if you don’t experience any
of these symptoms and you have new moles appearing and you’re past the
age of 20, it’s best to get them checked by a dermatologist as these
moles may be cancerous as well. Needless to say, all cancerous skin
tumors must be removed.
Above you can find the so-called ABCD of melanoma symptoms that can
point to a potentially dangerous mole. We also have an interactive guide
about this ABCD method you can view here.
What Methods of Mole Removal are Safe?
We have touched upon mole removal at the beginning of the article, but
in this section, we will discuss mole removal procedures in greater
depth
There are many methods of removing moles,
such as over-the-counter creams and traditional methods, but there are a
few problems with these remedies, namely:
Oftentimes, these methods don’t remove the root of a mole, which
means it can grow back.
Shaving off, snipping it with scissors or burning out a mole using
at-home treatments may cause skin infections.
Skin cancer may be overlooked if you remove a troublesome mole at
home and don’t get the skin sample tested by a dermatologist.
Many topical creams and natural remedies can cause extreme scarring
and extreme scar tissue growths called keloids.
The safest and most successful way of getting a mole removed is by your
dermatologist, and there are 2 main ways doctors remove moles:
1. Via surgical excision.
This method completely removes the mole with
its root. The doctor will numb the treatment area and cut out the whole
mole completely. After that, the dermatologist will make stitches or
sutures to close up the wound.
2. Via a surgical shave.
During this procedure, after numbing the area,
the doctor will shave off the mole using a blade. The advantage of this
method is that it doesn’t require stitches or sutures, but sometimes,
the mole can grow back and will need to be shaved off again.
Both methods don't require any particular aftercare and are executed in a
sterile environment, which makes sure no complications occur after the
procedure. Apart from that, the doctor will usually check a sample of
the mole under a microscope to make sure it's not cancer.