Moles are brown or black growths, usually round or oval, that can appear anywhere on the skin. They can be rough or smooth, flat or raised, single or in multiples. They occur when cells that are responsible for skin pigmentation, known as melanocytes, grow in clusters instead of being spread out across the skin. Most moles are harmless, but a change in size, shape, color or texture could be indicative of a cancerous growth.
Birthmarks are abnormal skin colorations in spots that are either present at birth or appear shortly thereafter. They can be flat or slightly raised from the skin. They can be any number of colors, including red, brown, black, tan, pink, white or purple. Birthmarks are generally harmless.
It's important to keep an eye on your moles and birthmarks so that you can catch any changes early. We recommend doing a visual check of your body monthly, including all areas that don't have sun exposure (such as the scalp, armpits or bottoms of feet).
Moles Treatment In Ladera Ranch CA
There are many reasons why your dermatologist might recommend removing a mole. 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.
Mole Removal
The most common reason for a mole being removed is because it may be cancerous. You should keep an eye on all of your moles at home and check for any changes. You should contact your dermatologist if you notice a mole that is asymmetrical, has irregular borders, isn’t uniform in color, has a diameter larger than the eraser on a pencil, or that 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.
- 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.
Mole removal can also be done for moles that are constantly irritated by rubbing or clothes, or for moles that are unsightly and distracting. There are many reasons a mole may be removed and it’s important that you’re able to get an infected mole removed as soon as possible.