Moles are a common skin issue, and they are typically normal. They are caused by the clumping together of melanocytes, the skin cells responsible for skin color. Moles can also be an early sign of skin cancer, but you have to know what to look for. The dermatologists at The Dermatology Center at Ladera in Ladera Ranch, CA, offer a wide range of dermatology services, including mole removal.
What You Need To Know About Moles
So, when should you get your mole examined by a dermatologist? Seeing a dermatologist is a good idea if you have a mole that is:
- Large, with a diameter of 6 millimeters or greater
- Changing in size, shape, or color
- Poorly defined, with uneven, ragged borders
- Asymmetrically shaped, with both sides are not uniform with each other
- Itching, burning, painful, bleeding, or oozing
- Recurring, growing back after previous removal
If you have a mole with any of the characteristics listed above, you should schedule a skin examination with your dermatologist. During your exam, the dermatologist will check your moles and may remove a small sample of tissue, or the entire mole for a biopsy.
A tissue biopsy can determine whether the mole is cancerous, and what type of skin cancer it is. Your dermatologist may recommend removing the mole, just to be safe. Mole removal techniques your dermatologist may recommend include:
- Freezing the mole with liquid nitrogen
- Burning the mole with an electric current
- Shaving the mole is a great option for small moles, and it doesn’t require sutures
- Excising the mole, which is a solution for larger moles, and may require a few sutures
Your dermatologist may also recommend MOHS micrographic surgery. It’s a procedure during which tissue is removed one layer at a time and examined under a microscope. Each layer is examined until normal tissue is found. MOHS micrographic surgery is conservative, providing aesthetically pleasing results.
Want To Know More?
To find out more about when you should see a dermatologist for moles, call the dermatologists at The Dermatology Center at Ladera in Ladera Ranch, CA. You can reach them in the office by calling (949) 364-8411, so call today.
