While you should be visiting your dermatologist every year, you should always self check your skin to note the early detection of skin cancer and take preventative measures. If you have any moles, you should observe any changes or increases in the size or shape and be aware that there is a process for removing these moles based on an aesthetic concern or the health concern of developing skin cancer.
Moles can have obvious concerns or they can have barely noticeable changes that are hard to detect without careful examination. Changes in color, size, or texture are immediately concerning and you should see a dermatologist right away to have it looked at. If a mole appears after the age of 21, you should also go see your doctor as soon as possible. When there is an irregularity in shape or size, especially if it is the size of a pencil eraser or larger, you should consider it abnormal and go for a check up.
If you have a mole that meets any of the above criteria, your doctor will most likely take a biopsy to determine if it is cancerous. If it is cancerous, the biopsy will tell your doctor how far it has penetrated the skin.
In that situation, you should see a board-certified cosmetic surgeon to have your mole removed. They are skilled at ensuring minimal scarring after the procedure and they know just how much to remove without affecting skin surrounding the mole. Your cosmetic surgeon will also know when a mole needs to be removed, if it meets any of the above criteria, or if the mole can stay put.
The mole will be removed in one of two ways: it will be surgically cut out or the doctor will shave it off.
Rarely do patients have to undergo general anesthesia.
Most likely, your doctor will numb the area and you’ll be fully awake without feeling a thing. If the site requires stitches, you’ll be sore for a few days but can resume activity within a couple of days. The stitches will have to be removed 14 days post-operation and you will be able to resume normal activities.
Don’t leave skin cancer up to chance. If caught early, skin cancer can be carefully excised and you won’t have to undergo any treatments. If it’s left to its own devices, it can spread to other organs and your risk for death goes up considerably. Contact us today to learn more about the mole removal process that can help you prevent skin cancer.
