You may be afraid anytime you are getting a medical procedure, but you have nothing to worry about when it comes to mole removal. The entire process is done painlessly in a matter of moments. We will give you a numbing agent a few minutes before the mole removal begins. You will be awake during the procedure, but you will still feel absolutely nothing. If you get squeamish easily, then it is recommended that you turn your head during the mole removal process.
Your experience during the mole removal procedural ultimately comes down to the size, location and type of mole you are getting taken off your body. Based on those three facts, we will choose the appropriate removal method. There are two different ways that we can remove a mole, a shave biopsy or an excision biopsy.
A shave biopsy is a simple procedure that will not require stitches afterwards. We take a scalpel and just shave the mole off the body. We will then cauterize the wound to stop it from bleeding. Once it has stopped bleeding, we will bandage up the wound and send you home. Since a skin sample is not done with a shave biopsy, they are only done on moles that are not expected to be cancerous.
If your mole can’t be removed using a shave biopsy or melanoma is suspected, then we will use an excision biopsy.
An excision biopsy is a slightly more complicated process that will result in the need for stitches. We will use a surgical knife to cut the mole and part of the skin below. The amount of skin removed with the mole ultimately depends on the depth of the mole and any cancer concerns. Once the mole is removed, we will use stitches to cover the wound. The depth of the mole will determine if dissolvable stitches are used or not.
Whether we use a shave biopsy or a excision biopsy, the recovery process should be the same. A layer of petroleum jelly needs to be applied to wound while it is bandaged. You will also need to clean the wound twice a day using water or a hydrogen peroxide solution. Once you have cleaned the wound, you need to reapply the petroleum jelly to the wound before bandaging it again. You may be tempted to leave the bandage off for an extended period, but this is just going to delay the healing process. Repeat the cleaning process every day until the wound is completely healed.
If you have a mole or skin lesion that needs to be removed, New England Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center can help. Our medical team, led by Dr. John Lazor, can evaluate your mole and determine the safest and most effective treatment method for your needs. Contact New England Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center today to schedule your consultation.