Mole removal

Mole Removal Dublin & Ireland

 Moles are extremely common skin lesions that are also termed beauty marks or birthmarks. People of any skin tone can have moles. Known medically as a nevus (plural: nevi), the large majority of moles are completely harmless and require no medical intervention. However, any nevus has the potential to be an indicator of skin cancer. For this reason, you should always have new moles examined by a dermatologist. Moles that have changed in size or shape also need professional dermatologic inspection. Mole removal, whether for cancer screening or cosmetic preference, is typically simple and straightforward.

Types of Moles

There are well over a dozen types of moles. It is virtually impossible to distinguish each mole type without an expert examination. In some cases, removal and biopsy - which involves inspection under a microscope - are required to determine the category of mole in question. However, there are two broad classifications of moles.

Congenital moles are moles present at birth. So-called beauty marks and birthmarks usually fit into this category. Moles of this type may begin to grow from two to five weeks after birth. Congenital moles often stay small and may be no more than a speck. However, a congenital mole can also cover a large area of the body - for example, an entire buttock or most of a limb.

Although congenital moles appear early in life, they still require surveillance. A person with one or more congenital mole(s) should visit their dermatologist regularly for screening. Such screening ensures that the mole(s) are not changing, as a change in colour, shape, size, and other characteristics is a possible sign of malignancy or cancer.

The other major type of mole is an acquired mole. These moles manifest once a person is out of infancy. Examples of acquired moles include freckles and other lesions caused by sun exposure. Almost everyone has at least one acquired mole somewhere on their body, but people with more than 50 moles may have a higher risk of skin cancer than the general population.

Mole Characteristics

As discussed above, a mole can be any size or shape. Moles also have varying colours. Many people think of a mole as an area of increased pigmentation, but a mole may also be hypopigmented, or lighter than the surrounding skin. Furthermore, some moles are not even visible on the skin. These lesions include nevi deep in the connective tissue or blood vessels.

Moles can also be present on any part of the body. While freckles and other lesions on the face are most visible, moles often appear in “hidden” areas. Such areas include skin creases or between the toes. Moles can even form inside the mouth.

Suspicious Moles

It takes a medical professional and diagnostic tests to determine with certainty whether a mole is potentially dangerous. However, there are some features that should prompt you to visit a dermatologist immediately for a mole check. These features include:

• A mole with an asymmetrical shape. In other words, the two halves do not match. These include moles that are not perfect circles or ovals and moles with irregular borders.
• Moles with inconsistent colour. These include moles that do not have a uniform colour throughout, multicoloured moles, and moles with a colour that has changed over time.
• Enlarging moles. Any mole that has exhibited growth should be checked. Moles over 6 mm in diameter are of particular concern.
• Other changes in appearance and nature that should be investigated include moles shifting from flat to raised, bleeding or crusting, and turning black.

Mole Removal Dublin & Ireland

Dermatologists may remove moles for further investigation, such as during a biopsy, or because the patient has cosmetic concerns. There are several mole removal methods available, and the removal process usually entails minimal discomfort. In the case of a biopsy, the dermatologist will determine the appropriate procedure to remove your mole for analysis.

Many suspicious moles are removed through shave biopsy. This biopsy method removes only the topmost layer of skin. Your dermatologist will give you medication to numb pain and control bleeding before the biopsy. The biopsy itself is quick, and healing time is typically brief. There are several other biopsy methods available, but these are reserved for moles located in deeper tissue. Skin biopsies can almost always be performed in your dermatologist’s clinic without the need for hospitalisation.

People frequently choose to have moles removed for aesthetic reasons. If you have a mole or moles that you would like to get rid of, you should first consult with a dermatologist. The size and nature of the mole largely determine the success of the removal process. For example, it may be relatively easy to have a small, lightly-coloured mole removed, while a large, dark birthmark could require surgery.

Besides surgery, dermatologists use several less invasive methods for mole removal. A chemical peel is one example. In this procedure, the dermatologist uses a weak acid to cause controlled damage to the upper skin layers. These layers then peel away, revealing rejuvenated skin. Chemical peels can be repeated when necessary if interspersed with a healing interval.

Cryotherapy is also a possibility for mole removal. This procedure is similar to that used for the removal of warts. The mole is frozen with liquid nitrogen or another chemical and then removed. Cryotherapy generally requires a short healing time and leaves minimal scarring.

Recent medical advances have given dermatologists even more tools for mole elimination. Laser therapy is one of these breakthroughs. A series of laser treatments delivered by your dermatologist can often eradicate unsightly moles, even in sensitive locations.

Dermabrasion is another minimally-invasive technique for mole removal. During this procedure, the top layer of the skin is carefully scraped to remove surface moles and other blemishes. Dermabrasion is safe and effective for many types of moles.

Speak with Your Dermatologist

Each patient is unique, and every situation is different. It is impossible to know the appropriate treatment for your suspicious or undesired moles without consulting a local dermatologist. Contact a dermatologist now to learn more.