Howsden Dermatology - Mole Removal

Dangerous or unsightly moles can be removed from almost anywhere on the body. Mole removal is safe, effective, and virtually painless. 

What is a Mole?

A mole is a growth on the skin. Most moles are benign, but they can turn cancerous.

People can be born with moles, or they can develop moles over the course of their lives. It’s important to be aware of what moles you have and where they are located.

Although you don’t generally need to worry about moles, any changes in the mole’s appearance should be brought to the attention of your dermatologist at Howsden Dermatology. In particular, look for changes in color and/or size.

Sometimes moles can occur in areas of the body that negatively impact appearance or self-esteem, such as on the face.

Moles are detected during routine skin screenings done by our dermatologists, or you may know about a mole you’ve had your entire life. Moles may appear as you age, or a lifelong mole may change in shape, appearance, or size.

Mole removal is available, even when the mole poses no health risk.

Have a suspicious-looking mole? Our skilled dermatologists can screen the mole and your skin for malignancy concerns and discuss removal options.

What Causes Moles?

Skin moles arise when skin cells grow in clusters. These cells, known as melanocytes, are found throughout your skin and produce melanin, the pigment that colors your skin.

Various complications can result for some people who have moles, such as:

  • Having very large moles
  • Having too many moles
  • Having moles of irregular shapes or textures

When any of these complications occur, you run the risk of developing melanoma or other types of skin cancer.

To be on the safe side, any mole that you have should be examined by your Howsden Dermatology dermatologist. 

Should you have a mole that is giving you problems or has changed its size, shape, and texture recently, don't ignore it. Contact your dermatologist at Howsden Dermatology right away to schedule a thorough examination of your skin and moles.

What is Mole Removal?

Mole removal is the process of removing benign or malignant moles for aesthetic or medical purposes.

Our dermatologists can remove dangerous or unsightly moles almost anywhere on the body. Mole removal is safe, effective, and virtually painless. The process of mole removal in a dermatologist’s office has been done for a number of decades and is FDA-approved.

What is Mole Removal Used For?

There are many situations in which a person should seek help from a dermatologist for mole removal.

Moles can be indicative of a serious skin condition, such as melanoma. Left untreated, a malignant mole can grow into a life-threatening condition that may be irreversible.

Mole removal is also used to remove unsightly benign moles. Certain moles can be disfiguring, or they can appear in unflattering areas on the body.

Types of Mole Removal

Once you and your dermatologist have agreed that mole removal is the best next step, your dermatologist will decide which type of mole removal procedure to use.

The type of mole removal will depend upon your individual circumstances, the size and nature of the mole, and the reason for the mole removal.

  • Cryotherapy. Sometimes called cryosurgery or simply “freezing,” cryotherapy is a type of mole removal where the mole is frozen with liquid nitrogen, after which the mole releases from the skin and is discarded.
  • Laser therapy. A specialized laser can be used to remove benign moles. The intense, focused light beam neutralizes the cells within the mole, causing them to die and fall away. Multiple laser therapy visits may be needed for complete mole removal.
  • Shaving. Shallow moles may be removed with surgical shaving, where a scalpel is used to shave away the mole cells.
  • Excision. Surgical excision is used when a mole is deep and requires to be cut out. This procedure may also require stitches and can leave a small scar.

Am I a Candidate For Mole Removal?

Most patients can have their mole/s removed. There are few reasons why a mole cannot be removed. The main question is what kind of mole removal procedure is best for your unique circumstances.

Certain types of mole removal procedures may leave a small scar. If you are considering having a mole removed purely for esthetic reasons, you need to decide if it’s worth risking a scar in place of the mole, even if it’s a small scar.

All moles on the body should be carefully monitored. Our dermatologists at Howsden Dermatology are adept at identifying and diagnosing dangerous moles.

Request a consultation with us today!

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Modern dermatology clinic located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex