Mole Removal in Wichita Falls, TX
There are many reasons why your dermatologist might recommend removing a mole or you may request to have it removed. Whether it’s causing you issues by being in a sensitive place or it’s infected and possibly cancerous, there are all types of reasons that may lead to a mole being removed. It’s important to talk to your dermatologist and keep an eye on your moles so that you know when it may be time for a mole to be removed.
The most common reason for a mole being removed is it may show some atypical changes and reassurance is necessary to ensure there is nothing cancerous to be addressed. You should keep an eye on all of your moles at home. You should contact your dermatologist if you notice a mole that fits in the ABCD categories: is Asymmetrical, has irregular Borders, isn’t uniform in Color, has a Diameter larger than the eraser on a pencil, or that Evolves: changes size, shape, or color. Your dermatologist will be able to examine your moles and determine whether or not it needs to be removed.
Mole removal is usually fairly simple and can be done in a number of different ways. Mole removal may be done through:
- Freezing- This uses liquid nitrogen to remove a mole.
- Burning- Your dermatologist will use an electric current to burn off the upper layers of a noncancerous mole.
- Shaving- This is done using a surgical blade. The skin’s surface is shaved off of the mole and is sent to pathology for diagnosing.
- Excision- This process goes deeper than the others to remove the entire mole. The skin is then stitched back together. This is typically done for cancerous moles, to have a better chance of no recurrence, or to rule out suspicious moles. These are also sent to pathology.
Mole removal is often sought for "cosmetic" reasons as well: moles that are constantly irritated by rubbing or clothes, or for moles that are unsightly and distracting.