Mole Removal

Your dermatologist can remove a mole via shave removal during an office visit or with a surgical excision. These are both safe and low risk procedures.

Moles can be cosmetically unsightly, irritating, or suspicious for skin cancer. Whether you wish to have a mole removed for cosmetic or medical reasons, the experienced, board-certified dermatologists at Arlington Dermatology can safely remove your mole where possible.

If a mole appears suspicious, it is important to have your dermatologist evaluate it. Signs to look out for include asymmetry, irregular borders, uneven color, large diameter (>6 mm), or new changes in appearance. In addition, it is beneficial to schedule full body skin exams with your dermatologist to routinely monitor your body for any atypical lesions.

If you are concerned that your mole may be unhealthy, monitor for changes in shape, size, or color. New moles may also be concerning if they appear beyond young adulthood.

It is advised to keep a bandage at the site of the mole for about 24 hours, then you can remove the bandage and wash the site with gentle soap and water to keep the area clean. It is recommended to apply vaseline and a band-aid to the wound site daily until the site has healed in ~7-14 days typically.

It is not possible to remove moles from the skin without creating some type of scar. The extent of scarring depends on how your body specifically heals, as well as the depth and size of the mole. Moles can be removed by surgical excision or shave removal. In either case, your mole will be carefully separated from the surrounding skin to ensure minimal scarring and avoid complications.

When cells in the skin (melanocytes) grow in clusters, moles are formed. New moles can sometimes emerge as an individual’s body ages or undergoes certain changes (ex: pregnancy).

Moles can be removed by surgical excision or shave removal. Your dermatologist will numb up the area with an injectable anesthetic to make sure you are comfortable prior to the procedure. Then, the mole will be removed either by surgical excision (using stitches to close the wound) or shave removal.

Attempting to remove your mole at home should always be avoided, as you can cause unnecessary damage to your skin, infection, or scarring. Furthermore, it is important to know if a mole is concerning for your overall health or not before removing it. Your dermatologist can examine a mole to make sure it is healthy and normal, as well as safely remove a mole for you through a simple in-office procedure.