Many a time women feel uncomfortable with moles on awkward places of their body. Thanks to cosmetic surgery, today such undesirable moles are removed for a variety of reasons including skin cancers and desire for perfect bodies. However, doctors opine that most mole removal surgery is done for cosmetic purposes.
Moles
Moles or Nevi are small dark spots or irregularity that can appear anywhere on the skin from the nose or other facial area, arms, chest areas and other parts of the body. Few develop by birth, while few moles appear as a human grows. Though most of these moles are benign (non-cancerous), few are proven to be melanoma or skin cancer. Hence, it is better to be checked by a dermatologist especially if your mole is irregularly shaped or changes its shape or size, asymmetrical, itches or bleeds and becomes painful.
It is better to remove the moles that are suspected to be melanoma or skin cancers, since most melanomas begin in the form of a mole. If diagnosed early, the melanoma may be removed thereby reducing the risk of skin cancer.
This is one of the most widely used methods of eliminating skin threats or beautifying skin. Mole removal surgery falls into different categories and few of them include:
Classic method / Excision with Stitches: In this procedure, the mole is cut to its full depth followed by stitching of the wound. Later, the mole is sent to the laboratory for biopsy to determine whether it is cancerous or benign. Classic method is usually performed on irregular moles that are suspected to be cancerous and on moles that are flat and flush with the skin surface.
Excision with cauterization/ without stitches: While the wound is stitched in the previous case, the mole here is burned away using a cautery tool. Hence the procedure does not involve any stitches as the wound is burn-sutured and will heal naturally.
Laser Surgery: Here the mole is removed using a laser. Laser procedure does not involve any cutting or stitching, since the removal is purely based on evaporation of the tissues removed. However, laser surgery is generally not suggested for treating deep moles since the laser lights cannot penetrate deep under the skin.
Shave Biopsy or Mole removal freeze: This is done on moles that protrude above the skin surface. The procedure involves numbing the mole area with anesthetic. Then a scalpel is used to remove the portion of the mole that is above the skin. In most cases, a mark of either white or the mole color is left on the place where the mole was.
Remember, with excision, both mole and the surrounding skin is cut. However, the depth of the cut is dependent on the size of the mole. If you wish to undergo the mole removal surgery, check with the dermatologist for the procedure best suited for your mole. Any mole removal surgery does not last longer than an hour. However the procedure might get extended depending on the number of moles to be removed. Generally moles do not grow once removed. However, in few cases the area from where the mole was removed might have mole cells remaining in the skin, which may tend to grow to a new mole that is darker than the original one.
The risks associated with mole removal surgery are minimal. After surgery, the area from where the mole was removed is covered with a bandage. Patients should avoid getting the area wet, or moist to lessen the threat of infection, delayed healing or other possible complications. Some scarring is common; however, it can be reduced through SPF 15 or higher or skin resurfacing cosmetic procedures.
Mole Removal Cream
There are a variety of natural mole removal techniques, especially using over the counter creams. Most of these creams contain ingredients like bloodroot and woodland herb that grow generally in the United States and Canada. After series of applications, these ingredients in the cream burn the layers of the skin over the mole. Before using over the counter medications or creams for mole removal, confer with the dermatologists that your mole is free of melanoma or any skin cancer related risks.
Apply a thick paste of the cream on the mole and cover it with a bandage. Repeat the process for three days. Ensure to wash the area with hydrogen peroxide before applying over the counter mole removal creams. As you repeat the process of application, notice the base of the mole, which will become inflamed and start turning pale. After a while, the mole flakes off leaving behind a red area, which usually fades within a month.
Yet another natural process of mole removal technique is to get a facial done through an expert. In general, facials help clear up pores, and can soften blemishes, wrinkles, age spots and even moles. Initially facials might darken the color of your mole making it more visible, however after several sittings, the mole usually vanishes. Remember, any over the counter facial kits does not remove moles.
Home Remedy for Mole Removal
Mole Removal Cost
A mole removal surgery may cost about $150 to $400. This might vary from doctor to doctor and clinic to clinic. The cost of any mole removal surgery also depends on the type of surgery performed. In other words, the cost of the surgery is estimated based on the technique used by the dermatologists. The surgery may also include some additional costs like lab costs where the moles were checked for malignant cells.
In all mole removal is not prescribed for everyone, though most people do it for cosmetic purposes. Since the procedure involves cosmetic surgery, the charges are likely to be stiff.