How to Remove a Non-Cancerous Mole: Medical Options
Plastic surgeons can remove moles and minimize scarring
Plastic surgeons can remove moles and minimize scarring
Non-cancerous moles can often be removed quickly and safely with a minor outpatient surgical procedure.
Whether for cosmetic reasons or health concerns, several effective medical options can eliminate moles with minimal scarring.
Most non-cancerous moles can be removed by surgery, shaving or using liquid nitrogen. These methods are usually quick and easy. There is only a small risk of infection or minor side effects.
As with any procedure, scarring is a common concern. That’s why choosing the right type of mole removal — and the right provider — matters.
Removing benign moles can sometimes be done by your primary care doctor. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons, who are skilled in fine suturing techniques, typically handle more complicated or cosmetically sensitive cases.
Minimizing scarring
Minimizing scars is important when moles are on visible areas like the face, neck or hands. In these situations, a board-certified plastic surgeon can be especially helpful.
“Patients often come in concerned about both the mole and the cosmetic result,” says Salvatore Pacella, MD, a cosmetic, plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Scripps Clinic. “Our goal is always to address the medical concern and provide a result that looks natural — almost as if nothing was ever there.”
How doctors remove moles
The best method of mole removal depends on the mole’s size, depth and location. A medical professional can recommend the best removal method for each person.
The most common types of mole removal include:
Surgical excision
Surgical excision is a common and effective way to remove moles that extend deeper into the skin. It is often recommended for larger moles or those too deep to be removed by shaving.
The procedure begins with cleaning and numbing the area with a local anesthetic. The doctor then removes the entire mole along with a small margin of surrounding skin using a scalpel to ensure complete removal.
Stitches are used to close the wound and aid healing. While a scar may remain, it typically fades over time with proper care.
Surgical shaving
In this method, the doctor uses a small blade to shave off the raised part of the mole so that it’s even with the surrounding skin. The area is numbed first with a local anesthetic.
Sometimes, the doctor may use electrocautery, a tool that uses heat, to control bleeding and help prevent the mole from growing back.
Shave removal is often used for small, raised, non-cancerous moles. It usually causes little scarring. This method is also common for removing skin tags.
Cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen)
Cryotherapy is a treatment that uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and remove unwanted skin growths. It is often used for small, shallow, non-cancerous spots like skin tags, warts and keratoses.
During the procedure, the doctor puts a small amount of liquid nitrogen on the mole. The extreme cold freezes the tissue. This may cause blisters that fall off naturally in a few days. The area usually heals by itself, but there might be some redness or light scarring.
Cryotherapy is not usually recommended for large or deep moles. It does not go deep enough to remove them completely. It is not used if there is concern that the mole might be cancerous.
Insurance coverage
Understanding insurance coverage for mole removal is important. Many people want to know if their insurance will help pay for this procedure.
Insurance plans can be very different. Some plans may pay for mole removal if it is needed for health reasons. Other plans might not cover it at all. It’s a good idea to check with your insurance provider. They can tell you what is covered and what is not.
Always ask about any out-of-pocket costs you might face. Knowing your coverage can help you make informed decisions.
What happens after non-cancerous mole removal?
After a doctor removes a mole, they may send it to a lab. The lab will do a biopsy to check if the mole is cancerous.
“Even if the mole looks harmless, checking the tissue is important,” Dr. Pacella says. “This helps rule out skin cancer. A pathologist, a doctor who studies tissues, will examine the sample.”
If the results show no signs of cancer, you usually do not need more treatment. If your doctor finds something unusual, they will talk to you about the next steps.
Common moles vs atypical moles: what’s the difference?
Moles can show up anywhere on the skin. Most adults have between 10 and 40 common moles. They form when pigment cells group together instead of spreading out in the skin.
Common moles are small, round or oval-shaped growths with a well-defined border. These moles may be pink, tan, brown or black.
Atypical moles are usually larger and tend to have irregular shapes, borders, or colors. Most of these moles are harmless. However, atypical moles have a higher risk of turning into skin cancer, especially melanoma. One in 10 Americans has an atypical mole, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Talk to a doctor first
Before you try to remove a mole yourself or use store products, talk to a doctor first. Some moles may seem harmless but can be precancerous or cancerous.
A doctor can check the mole to see if it is safe to remove. They can also recommend the best way to remove it. Trying to remove a mole at home can cause infection, scarring or delay a serious diagnosis. Seeing a doctor first helps you make safe choices about your skin health.