More information about moles

Moles are an especially important condition to assess when performing skin checks. Moles can be present when a person is born or they can develop over time. Moles can develop in adulthood due to sun exposure, aging, and other factors. 

Moles typically appear as brown but can also present in a variety of other colors. Moles can also appear as flesh-colored, pink, and red. Most moles are benign, but some may indicate more serious conditions such as melanoma (cancerous cells). Any moles that appear suddenly or change shape should be examined by a medical professional as soon as possible.

Certain changes or visual identifiers of a mole to keep an eye out for:

• Asymmetry of the mole
• Having more than 50 moles on the body
• Irregular or poorly defined border of the mole
• Changes to shape or color of existing mole
• More than 6mm large in diameter
• Brand new moles appearing
• Moles that are itchy, bleed, or look infected
  

To prevent dark spots and moles caused by sun exposure, wear a strong SPF (at least SPF30) every day on the face and body and cover the exposed skin as much as possible when out in the sun.
‍

Mole Treatment
‍
Diagnosis

It's hard to know when you should be concerned about existing moles, and it can be scary to think about something being wrong with your skin. A lot of people don't get regular skin exams because they're worried about what the doctor might find. They assume that if there's no obvious issue, then there's no point in getting checked.

Dermatologists and Dermatology PA's are experts in diagnosing skin problems. We can look at your skin and tell you whether or not we think a mole or multiple moles look suspicious. If we do, we'll take a sample and send it to a lab for examination under a microscope (biopsy). This is the best way to know for sure if a mole is cancerous or not, ultimately preventing skin cancer.
‍

Difference Between Mole Biopsy and Mole Removal

The main difference between a mole biopsy and mole removal is that a mole biopsy is simply taking a sample of the cells in the mole, while a mole removal completely eliminates the entire mole.

A mole biopsy is a procedure in which one of our specialists takes a small sample of the cells in a mole with a sharp scalpel or other tool without affecting the surrounding skin. A local anesthetic is used during this procedure and it takes just a few minutes to complete. After the tissue is collected, it is processed in a lab and examined by a pathologist to see whether it is normal or has any signs of melanoma.

Although some people remove a mole for cosmetic reasons, it is also done for medical reasons. Our providers make sure that all of the mole's cells are completely removed. If a mole isn't completely removed it can regrow and, worse yet, if it was a melanoma the cancerous cells may spread to other areas. Once you've had your mole removed, we'll bring you back to our office for periodic check-ups so that our providers can assess your progress.
‍

Consult with Skincredible Dermatology

Concerned about an existing mole or a recent mole that has appeared on your skin? At Skincredible Dermatology & Surgery, we will come up with a custom-tailored treatment plan to meet the needs of you and your skin. It is important to examine your moles and get them checked by a dermatologist. Checking your moles increases the chances of early detection and treatment of melanoma or other types of skin cancers. Learn more about our treatment options and schedule an appointment today!

Mohs Surgery

Our double-board certified dermatologist, Dr. Bobby Awadalla employs Mohs surgery to treat non-melanoma skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Dr. Awadalla is highly skilled in using the Mohs surgery technique to remove cancerous cells while preserving as much healthy skin as possible. You'll have less scarring and a quicker recovery time than with other surgical techniques.

Mohs surgery is one of the safest and most effective techniques for treating BCC's and SCC's, the two common most common types of skin cancer. The surgery was developed by Frederic E. Mohs, MD, in the 1930s.

Cure rates for skin cancer after Mohs surgery treatment are up to 99%.

Benefits of Mohs surgery

• Highest cure rate
• Lowest recurrence rates
• Reduces errors that often occur with other skin cancer treatments
• Cost-Effective
• Reduced scarring
• More comfortable

Potential Risks of Mohs surgery

• Bleeding from the site of surgery
• Pain or tenderness in the area where the skin was removed
• Possible infection
• Bleeding into the wound

‍
‍
‍