Mole Removal Surgery

Mole removal surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis. You normally will get mole removal surgery in the office of your dermatologist, although many people who are getting moles removed for cosmetic reasons will go to a plastic surgeon. There are various types of mole removal surgery. You can have the mole removed with a punch biopsy, which is similar to a cylinder type device that removes the mole and leaves a slight, round, white scar.

Cutting out the mole is one way for mole removal surgery. The other way to remove a mole involves lasers. If a mole has been determined to be not a threat and is interfering with someone's life to the point where they want the mole removed, or if the mole is atypical and the dermatologist wants to remove the mole with the minimal scarring, they will remove it using laser mole removal surgery.

Mole removal surgery is not painful and if you opt for laser removal, it will leave a minimal scar. Someone who has a mole that looks atypical does not necessarily have skin cancer, but the doctor may suggest removing the mole before it can turn into skin cancer. It usually takes a number of years for skin cancer to develop in a mole. If a doctor suggest mole removal surgery, you should ask about your choices.

If the mole is in an area that is not noticeable, you may choose the simple punch biopsy surgery. This is easy and relatively painless. It takes about 10 minutes and is done right in the office of the dermatologist and costs much less than laser mole removal surgery.

If the mole is on your face and is impeding your lifestyle, causing you discomfort or looks atypical, then you may choose laser mole removal surgery. This generally costs more and, in some cases, you may be referred to a plastic surgeon who will remove the mole using lasers. It leaves less of a scar. Many people who are born with large moles in areas that are noticeable will want to get these moles removed through laser mole removal surgery. In many cases, insurance will cover part of the mole removal.

Just about everyone has moles. Most of them are harmless, but as we get older, any change in these moles will be observed. The American Cancer Society suggests that we have our skin examined for suspicious moles beginning at the age of 30. Skin cancer is one of the few cancers that is on the rise and is no longer just affecting elderly people. This is particularly true with the case of melanoma, a deadly skin cancer, that is affecting younger people all the time. If you or your doctor spots a mole that looks different than other moles, or if you have a mole that is affecting your life and making you feel self conscious about your appearance, you should choose mole removal surgery.