About Mole Removal

What Is A Mole?

Moles are a natural occurrence on the body. They are small spots of the skin that contain greater concentrations of skin pigmentation. Because they contain more pigmentation, these spots are darker than the surrounding skin. Often, they first appear to be dark freckles, but they gradually change color or grow in ways that freckles do not. Sometimes they are flat, and sometimes they protrude. That's the basic idea, although medical professionals differentiate between several kinds of moles and give them unique names. You might hear them referred to as nevi (singular nevus).

Most moles are completely harmless, more like characteristic body decorations than anything else. They can appear at any time in a person's life, and they may change color or shape gradually over several years. Their coloring ranges from black to brown to pink and anything in between. Usually, these changes are nothing to worry about.

Occasionally, however, there is something to worry about. Some moles are signs of skin cancer, and they must be removed quickly after they are discovered. A dermatologist can tell the difference between harmless moles and cancerous ones, so if you have an unusual mole, you should probably have a dermatologist take a look at it. Unusual moles may be multi-colored, particularly rough or irregular in shape, or randomly bleed or ooze. If you have a mole that does any of the above, you should have it checked out as soon as you can, just in case.

Why Do Moles Develop?

Everyone is born with at least a few moles. It is completely normal to develop a few more as you grow older. Some of them seem to appear randomly, while others grow because of exposure to sunlight, and they pop up on areas of the body that get a lot of sun. Most of the time, moles are nothing to worry about. Even ones that pop up randomly and seem to grow rapidly are not usually worrisome.

Rarely, a mole can develop because of skin cancer. People who get inordinate amounts of sunlight over several years or who frequent tanning salons are more likely to develop skin cancer, but anyone can get it.

Health Reasons To Get Mole Removal

Many of us consider mole removal for esthetic reasons but there are certain circumstances that you should be aware about moles in general.

Important Mole Removal Considerations: Moles And Skin Cancer

Chances is moles are a sign of skin cancer in particular melanoma. It is better to be safe than remorseful. Patients with a history of skin cancer in their families should have their moles check frequently by a specialist. The best weapon against cancer is early detection.

When you have any signs or symptoms that may indicate that you have an abnormal mole you need to contact a local specialist quickly and discuss mole removal.

Is my mole normal?

It is important to know whether moles on the body are normal or are abnormal. The first thing is to look at the size, color and shape of the mole. An excellent strategy to determine if your moles are normal or abnormal is the rule of melanoma detection. This rule has been simplified into the acronym ABCD which stands for:

• Asymmetry: Ordinarily a mole will develop in a symmetrical fashion. In an asymmetrical mole the halves will appear distinct. This happens because one half of the mole is growing quicker compared to the other and this is a sign of an abnormal mole.
• Border irregularity: The edges of a regular mole are usually very sharp and well defined. If the mole's ends are notched, blurred, irregular or notched you need to have the mole removed.
• Color variation: Normal moles will normally have a very uniform and consistent color. The mole may need to be removed if it has various shades of colors such as brown, black, red, white or tan.
• Diameter: The size of a mole will simply stay the same for the normal ones. If your mole is greater than 6mm or is continuing to develop you should consider a mole removal process.
• Other indicators can be bleeding, redness, itchiness, pain or a scaly appearance.

How Can I Prepare For A Mole Removal?

Preparation for mole removal surgery is fairly simple. It begins, of course, with talking to your doctor. Whether you are getting the mole removed for cosmetic or health reasons, the preparation should be the same. You want to be healthy and strong before going in for any surgery. The healthier you are, the more quickly you will be able to heal and the less likely you are to get an infection.

You should refrain from smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol in the weeks leading up to the surgery, since consuming these substances damages your body. Also, try to keep the skin surrounding the mole clean. The affected area will be sterilized before the surgery begins, but good hygiene practices ahead of time never hurt anyone.

On the day of the surgery, you should eat something before going in so that you don't have an empty stomach. Your doctor may have other specific guidelines on how to prepare. Make sure that you follow them carefully, and you should be just fine.

A = Asymmetry one half of the mole unlike the other half	B = Border Irregular border not round or distinct	C = Color Varied color or shade differences from one area to another, may be tan, brown, black red or blue	D = Diameter watch for diameters larger than a pencil eraser

How Can I Find A Good Doctor To Perform My Mole Removal?

The Internet can be a powerful tool to help you find a doctor. Some websites contain listings for different parts of the country or major urban centers. You can read comments that have been posted by previous patients of a doctor to get some sense of the satisfaction level you might expect.

You can also find a doctor through referrals or by asking people you know if they have had a mole removal surgery done. If you have a friend who really liked a certain doctor, you might consider going to the same doctor. Your basic family doctor might be able to refer you to a specialist, as well.

Asking other people about mole removal might seem embarrassing to you, but it really doesn't have to be. Sometimes people like to keep cosmetic surgeries secret to avoid unwanted attention or gossip from friends or family, and this is understandable. But you might learn some valuable information by getting over your self-consciousness and asking around. At least you can avoid going to a doctor who botched someone else's surgery. And chances are, if your sister or best friend or coworker loved a certain doctor, you probably will too.

Why Do I Need To Consult With A Doctor Before I Get My Mole Removed?

Consulting with a doctor is essential for several reasons. To begin with, it's the best way to get practical information about your particular case. Everyone has a different body and a unique medical history, and every mole is unique, too. A doctor can ask you questions to determine if mole removal surgery is right for you. You can discuss your reasons for wanting the surgery and all of the possible risks that you should consider.

It is extremely important that you make your doctor aware of any medications that you are taking. Some medications have dangerous reactions when taken together and others are negatively affected by the use of anesthesia. No matter what, you should tell your doctor about all of your medications at the consultation.

The doctor can show you pictures of other people who have had moles removed. By examining representative before-and-after shots, you can get an idea of the changes you might see on your own body. This is especially important because most surgeries inevitably leave some scarring. That can make the surgery ultimately a little disappointing because you are simply trading one visible flaw for another.

Also, the doctor can give you instructions on how to prepare for the surgery and how to take care of the wound afterward. You will receive specific instructions that, when followed, will help you to heal from the surgery without incident.

What Questions Should I Ask At My Initial Consultation?

• How much will the procedure cost?
• Will my medical insurance cover any of the cost?
• After surgery, is the mole gone forever? Is it likely to come back?
• Are there any alternatives that might successfully remove the mole without surgery?
• What does mole removal scarring look like?
• How long will it take for the scars to fade?
• Do I need to do anything special to prepare for the surgery?
• Can I get more than one mole removed at a time?
• Is there any reason that I should not have the surgery?
• How do I care for my skin after the surgery?
• Will my skin be smooth in the area where the mole used to be?
• How long does it take for the wound to heal after surgery?
• Do I have to come in for more doctor visits after the surgery?
• Will my surgery involve stitching or cauterization? Which is better for me?
• What kinds of experiences have previous patients had?
• Is it possible for me to contact previous patients?
• Are there any negative consequences of which I have not been made aware?