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A removal procedure where a mole is shaved or cut to remove it from the skin.
What is it?
Moles can differ in color, ranging from your natural skin shade to pink, brown and black. They often emerge during puberty and teenage years. Moles can be either flat or protruding on the skin's surface. It's typical for 10 to 40 moles to develop on your skin by adulthood. Some grow gradually, and others may lighten or vanish over time.
Most moles do not require medical attention, but some patients choose to have them removed for cosmetic reasons or because their location results in skin irritation. These procedures are swift and performed on an outpatient basis. Still, it's important for patients to have annual full body skin exams conducted by a board-certified dermatologist to rule out otherwise suspicious moles or lesions.
When contemplating mole removal, it's crucial to steer clear of DIY remedies, as they could potentially lead to harm. Our board-certified dermatology providers are here to help in Bridgeport, Clarksburg, Elkins, Hurricane, Morgantown, Parkersburg, South Charleston and Wheeling, West Virginia; in Waynesburg and Uniontown, Pennsylvania and in Marietta, Ohio.
What to expect
Initially, we'll sterilize the area to be removed and then numb it with either a local anesthetic cream or an injection applied directly around the area. Mole removal employs two techniques: surgical excision (where a scalpel is used to cut the mole off your skin) and shave excision (where a single or double-bladed razor is used to shave the growth off the skin). Our highly-trained providers will discuss the most suitable approach with you. The cutting or shaving is typically over quickly, with minimal discomfort.
After the mole has been removed, the area will be appropriately treated and covered. You will receive comprehensive instructions for at-home wound care, usually involving keeping it clean and covered. Healing from the mole removal procedure may take up to three weeks. You should be able to drive yourself home post-procedure and resume your usual daily activities.