Let’s now talk about the different ways there are to remove moles.  There are at least five different ways to go about mole removal and most of these will be offered by a dermatologist or surgeon.

• Incision with stitches
• Incision with cauterization
• Shaving
• Laser mole removal
• Natural remedies

Now on to the details!

Incision with stitches

This is the most common method of removing moles and involves the surgeon cutting out the mole and a small part of the surrounding area with the wound then being stitched up and left to heal.  This method has a tendency to leave a mole removal scar but it will fade with time.  My wife has had a number of moles surgically removed through mole removal surgery and the eventual outcome is fine.  If your mole has been identified as cancerous incision with stitches is method they will use to remove it.

Incision with cauterization

This method burns the mole off close to the skin.  Cauterization has the added benefit of stopping bleeding and preventing infection.  In fact cauterization used to be extremely popular before the invention and creation of antibiotics.  The main benefit is that there is a less likely chance of scarring, which for many people is desirable especially for facial mole removal.

Shaving

This method uses a knife to shave the mole off in layers back to the skin whilst at the same time cauterizing the wound.  This option is only recommended for benign moles as moles are not just above the skin but under it.  By shaving you are not removing the part of the mole that is under the skin so it could grow back and if it is cancerous you have not removed it.

Laser mole removal

Probably not the most effective method of mole removal and is only used in a very small number of cases.  This is due to the fact that the laser light can only penetrate the skin to a certain depth so for large or raised moles it is ineffective.  It usually results in the least scarring though so as the technology improves I can see more and more people using this option.  Lasers are also used in tattoo removal and work by breaking down the tattoo ink which the body then absorbs.

Natural remedies

The last method attempts to use natural remedies to remove your moles, which I believe is a bit hit and miss.  So what are some natural remedies?  Will here are some ideas I have read on the internet: the juice of various fruits applied to the mole, crushed garlic, baking powder and castor oil to name just a few.  There are a few shonky people out there who sell ebooks promising to show you natural ways to remove moles but don’t buy them!  Let’s be honest, if your mole is in any way cancerous do you want to be mucking around with some natural remedy not knowing if it is working and perhaps wasting time and allowing the cancer to spread?  I wouldn’t!

Summary

So as we can see there are lots of different ways to have your mole removed.  You will need to consult your local doctor or dermatologist to see which mole removal procedure is best suited for your needs.  You don’t need plastic surgery or cosmetic surgery.  If you are unsure whether you need to even have your mole removed check out my post Should I consider mole removal or is my mole normal?

That’s a question I hear a lot as most people have no idea whether their moles are normal or are abnormal.  Too often people are too nervous to even face the question because they are afraid of what they might find out.  This is not a wise thing to do though because moles have the potential to develop into a form of skin cancer called melanoma if the early warning signs are not detected and acted upon.

Back to the question, “Is my mole normal?”  You basically want to look at the size, colour and shape of your mole.  The rule of melanoma detection is a great way to determine whether your moles are normal or not. It has been simplified into the handy little acronym ABCD.

• Asymmetry
• Border irregularity
• Colour variation
• Diameter

So what does all that mean?  Let’s find out!

Asymmetry

Normally a mole will grow in a symmetrical fashion, in other words one half of the mole will look like the other half.  In an asymmetrical mole the halves will look different.  This is because one half of the mole is growing quicker than the other.  If your mole is asymmetric you should see your doctor and start to discuss what is entailed when removing moles.

Border irregularity

Typically the edges of a normal mole are well defined and sharp.  If your moles edges are notched, blurred, irregular or notched you should see your doctor and ask him about removal of moles.

Colour variation

A normal mole will generally have a uniform or consistent colour.  If your mole is not the same colour all over but has different shades of brown, black, red, white or tan you should start considering a mole removal procedure and talk about it with your local doctor.

Diameter

The size of a mole will usually stay the same for a normal mole.  If your mole is larger than 6mm or is continuing to grow you should see your local doctor.

Summary

If you have any of the above ABCD symptoms on your existing moles you should contact your local doctor immediately and discuss mole removal surgery.  Other symptoms can be redness, itchiness, bleeding, pain or a scaly appearance.  Now you may check all of your current moles and find that they are all fine which is great.  But I want you to be vigilant, if at any time you notice a mole changing size, colour or shape you should contact your local doctor immediately also. Early detection is the best prevention for skin cancer in particular melanoma.

You should also consider having a consultation with a dermatologist so they can do a full body scan and map all of your current moles.  If you have these done regularly the dermatologist is able to detect changes in your moles.  Just so that you know a dermatologist is a doctor who specialises in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of skin disease and skin cancers

I want to repeat that the ABCD checks above are extremely important in the early detection of skin cancer.  If you are unsure in anyway see your local doctor as you could require immediate mole removal.  It is better to be safe than sorry and don’t worry about the mole removal cost as your health is more important than money.