Mole Removal & Wart Removal Skin Care Treatments
 Moles most frequently develop in young adults until about the age of 40. Depending on their location, moles may go unnoticed -- or they may become a nuisance by rubbing against clothing and getting in the way of shaving. Moles can also lead to dangerous health problems. Many skin cancers, including melanoma, begin in the shape of a mole. Moles, or nevi, are frequently removed for a variety of reasons.
Moles can be removed by 2 surgical methods:
- Excision (cutting) with stitches: Click here to view step-by-step photos of this type of mole removal.
- Excision with cauterization (a tool is used to burn away the mole): Click here to view step-by-step photos of this type of mole removal.
Although laser has been tried for moles, it is not usually the method of choice for most deep moles because the laser light doesn’t penetrate deeply enough. Typically, the doctor or dermatologist (a skin specialist) may choose excision with or without stitches depending on the depth of the mole and the type of cosmetic outcome desired.
What a mole is Mole
Many people refer to a mole as any dark spot or irregularity in the skin. Doctors use different terms. But skin marks such as these are not treated the same way moles are and are not discussed here:
- Birthmarks
- Abnormal blood vessels (hemangiomas)
- Keratoses (benign or precancerous spots, which appear after about age 30 years)
What Causes Moles to Form
- Some people are born with moles. Other moles appear over time.
- Sun exposure seems to play a role in the development of moles and may even play a role in the development of atypical, or dysplastic, moles.
- The role of heredity cannot be underemphasized. Many families have a type of mole known as dysplastic (atypical), which can be associated with a higher frequency of melanoma or skin cancer.
Risks
Risks of mole removal methods vary from infection to anesthetic allergy and nerve damage. It is always prudent to choose a dermatologist or surgeon with appropriate skills and experience with these removals. This will decrease your risk associated with this procedure.
- Other risks vary depending on the area being treated and the method of removal.
- One of the most common difficulties after mole removal is a scar. Many people will attempt to remove moles for cosmetic reasons, not realizing that each and every removal may result in a scar. Many times your surgeon can give you an idea of the type and location of a scar after mole removal before you make your decision about removal.
Mole Removal Preparation
- The area to be treated will be cleansed. Depending on the surgeon’s preferences, this will be done either with alcohol, Betadine, or another suitable material.
- Then the area will be numbed with anesthetic, such as lidocaine. This will not usually take much time to accomplish. Many surgeons prefer to wait after numbing to allow the blood flow to the area to diminish (sometimes up to 15 minutes).
- Depending on the size of mole and method, a drape may be placed over the area to be treated.
During the Procedure
- Removal with simple cutting without stitches
- The surgeon takes a scalpel and shaves the mole off flush or slightly below the level of skin.
- Then, either an electrical instrument will cauterize or burn the area or a solution will be placed on the area to stop any bleeding.
- After this, a topical antibiotic is placed on the wound.
- The wound is then covered with a bandage.
- The doctor will give you instructions on how to take care of your wound. You are usually able to leave shortly after.
- Removal by cutting with stitches
- Moles removed by excision (cutting) with stitches are usually darker in color or flat moles or both.
- The surgeon maps out the mole and then sterilizes or cleans the area and numbs it.
- Then a scalpel is used to cut the mole and a border surrounding the mole. The border size depends on the concern of the surgeon for the mole being removed.
- Depending on the depth, stitches are placed either deep (these absorb and do not have to be removed) or on the upper surface of the skin (these don’t absorb and will be removed later).
After the Procedure
- Home care
- After the procedure, you need to keep a layer of antibiotic salve and a bandage on the wound. Use an antibiotic ointment that does not include neomycin. Many people are allergic to neomycin and may develop a rash at the site. Polysporin is a brand that does not contain neomycin.
- Clean the wound once or twice daily with either water or diluted hydrogen peroxide.
- After cleaning the wound, apply the antibiotic salve and bandage.
- This is repeated until the wound is healed.
- Misconceptions about healing
- Some people think that wounds need to be open to the air and that this helps healing. Several studies have disproved this and found significantly quicker healing with bandages and antibiotic salve.
- Similarly, vitamin E has been found to slow healing rather than accelerate it, and scars were shown to be worse with vitamin E placed directly on wounds than without it.
 Next Steps
Simple mole removals are frequently not followed up, but this may vary depending on the type of mole.
- For lab results: You may receive a phone call from the doctor if there is any indication of unusual features once the tissue is analyzed. Then you would see the doctor for a follow-up recheck of the area and full examination of the rest of your body.
- For stitches removal: Follow-up depends on the area that received stitches and the type of suture. Facial sutures are typically removed within 4-7 days. Stitches elsewhere are usually removed from 8-21 days, depending on the type of suture and the surgeon’s preference.
- To prevent infection: During the time of the recovery, you need to be careful not to get the area dirty. Also, trauma needs to be avoided to the area, including avoidance of unnecessary stress and strain to the area.
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