Frequently Asked Questions

Will I Need To Take Any Time Of Off Work To Get A Mole Removal?

Mole removal surgery is simple, quick, and noninvasive. You do not need to be put under general anesthesia, and you can usually return home within just a few minutes of having your mole removed. You may need to take an afternoon off of work to fit in the appointment, but beyond that, you should not have to miss any work. Because the wound is so small, it heals quickly and does not require very much attention. All you should need to do is wash the wound twice a day and apply an antibiotic cream for the first two or three weeks following surgery. Pain should be minimal, and you do not need to do anything else to speed recovery. You should have no difficulty returning to work right away.

If your work is physically demanding and there is risk that you might rub or damage the wound, you should take extra care to securely bandage the work each day before going to work. Remember to pay attention to what you're doing so that you can avoid damaging the wound. This requires a little thought, but it should not stop you from going to work.

How Can I Tell If I Need Mole Removal?

Very few moles actually need to be removed for medical reasons. Most moles are completely harmless even if you don't like how they look. Those moles that are cancerous or that may lead to skin cancer really do need to be removed as soon as possible.

You also might need to have moles removed that are located in awkward places. Sometimes people have raised moles that rub under clothing, causing irritation and pain. Rarely, skin irritation leads to infection, and infected moles may need to be removed.

Another reason that you may need to have a mole removed is if it causes you problems when you shave. If you are constantly shaving the mole off by accident or several moles in a concentrated area make shaving impossible, you might want to consider mole removal.

What Should I Do If I Get A Mole Removed And It Comes Back?

If you have had a mole removed, there is some chance that it might come back. Even with the best surgical removal, this can happen. Medically, there is nothing to worry about if this happens, but you might not be happy with an unsightly mole's reappearance. If it does happen, you can contact the doctor who performed the initial procedure to find out if the mole can be removed again.

Having a mole removed twice could lead to visible scarring and some doctors may advise against having it done. All procedures should be considered on a case-by-case basis, so there is no harm in talking to your doctor about your options for having the mole removed again.

Are Moles Dangerous?

Most moles are not dangerous. They occur naturally on the skin, and they are usually nothing to worry about. On those rare occasions when a mole becomes infected, it is as dangerous as any other skin infection. All infections should be taken seriously, and you should wash the infected mole thoroughly. If an infection persists, see your doctor as soon as you can.

Moles have a bad reputation because just a few of them are very dangerous, and those are cancerous. Skin cancer can hit just about anyone, and often an unusual mole is the only indicator that something has gone wrong. If you notice that you have a mole that is jagged around the edges or that is unevenly colored, you should probably see a doctor. Not all unusual moles are cancerous-most are not-but it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to cancer. Removing a cancerous mole is as simple as removing any other mole, and having it done can save your life.

Do Mole Removal Creams Actually Work?

Some mole removal creams work, and some do not. Most creams contain a drying agent to dry out the mole until it dies and falls off. Although that part is generally successful, the use of creams is a superficial treatment. The creams do not penetrate to the deeper layers of skin, and so the mole cells remain alive just below the surface. Some moles grow back rapidly after treatment because of the deeper cells. If you're lucky, the mole you have attempted to remove will not have deep skin cells, so this treatment is most effective for shallow moles.

Be wary of cheap skin care products. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you pay less than twenty dollars for a mole removal cream, you can expect less than satisfactory results. You do not know if any cheap skin care products have been inspected for effectiveness or safety, and so you should always use them with caution. You are perhaps safer experimenting with more expensive creams, but do not expect miracles from untested remedies.

Will Having Moles Removed Improve My Quality Of Life?

If you suffer from unsightly moles, you might assume that having them removed will significantly improve your quality of life. People will not stare anymore, and that will be a welcomed change. You have to remember that having your moles removed changes only one small area of your life. Don't expect such a small surgery to give you loads of self-confidence or suddenly make you a super model. If you are expecting drastic changes, you will probably be disappointed by the post-surgery realities.

Perhaps the most significant change that you can expect is that you will feel a little bit better about your body. That can certainly go a long way to make you feel less self-conscious and more certain of yourself in social situations. Expect this improvement in yourself, but don't expect everyone you know to shower you with compliments because of how you look. You might be surprised that some of your friends may not even notice that you have had mole removal surgery. The important thing is that you know.

Is It Worth It To Pay More To Have My Moles Removed By A Plastic Surgeon?

The fact is that it can be much more expensive to have your mole removed by a plastic surgeon than by a dermatologist. Plastic surgeons undergo extensive training to learn how to remove flaws and improve appearance. Their focus is cosmetic, and they may spend extra time to very carefully remove a mole with the least possible scarring. The final result is often more satisfying than if you have your mole removed by a dermatologist.

The problem is that it can be more expensive to go to a plastic surgeon, and this is why you have to consider your priorities. A dermatologist will get rid of the mole just as well-and for a lot less money than a plastic surgeon-but you might have a more visible scar. You have to decide if it's worth it to you to pay more money for a more flawless result or pay less and have to deal with a visible scar.