Moles or nevi, are frequently removed for a variety of reasons. They can be removed by two surgical methods:

• Excision (cutting) with stitches
• Excision with cauterization (a tool is used to burn away the mole)

Although laser treatment has been tried for moles, it is not usually the method of choice for most deep moles because the laser light doesn't penetrate deeply enough.

Reasons for Considering Mole Removal:

Some people are born with moles. Other moles appear over time.  Sun exposure seems to play a role in the development of moles and may even play a role in the development of atypical, or dysplastic, moles.  The role of heredity cannot be underemphasized. Many families have dysplastic moles, which can be associated with a higher frequency of melanoma or skin cancer.  Many people will attempt to remove moles for cosmetic reasons, others as a pre-emptive attack against skin cancer.

General Procedure

The area to be treated will be cleansed. This will be done either with alcohol, Betadine or another suitable material.  Then the area will be numbed with an anesthetic, such as lidocaine. Many surgeons prefer to wait until the area is numb, allowing the blood flow to the area to diminish (sometimes up to 15 minutes).  Depending on the size of mole and method, a drape may be placed over the area to be treated. The mole is then excised with a scalpel and bandaged.

Recovery

After the procedure, you need to keep a layer of antibiotic salve and a bandage on the wound. Use an antibiotic ointment that does not include neomycin. Many people are allergic to neomycin and may develop a rash at the site. Polysporin is a brand that does not contain neomycin.  Clean the excision site once or twice daily with either water or diluted hydrogen peroxide.  After cleaning the area, apply the antibiotic salve and bandage.  This is repeated until the wound is healed.