Moles

Moles, which physicians call “nevi,” can be raised or flat and located just about anywhere—on your face, chest, shoulders, or back. People of all ages get them and they are incredibly common, especially among fair-skinned individuals, but they are not always appreciated. There are both aesthetic and medical reasons for removing a mole.

Q: When are moles worrisome?

A: Most moles are completely harmless but they all bear watching with regular skin cancer screenings. Melanoma, a type of skin cancer, can grow in or near a mole and one of this cancers warning signs is the appearance of a new mole or changes to an existing one. Moles that are “atypical” or asymmetrical with irregular boundaries are sometimes precancerous.

Q: When Moles Are a Cosmetic Concern

A: Not all moles are “beauty marks.” Unfortunately, most moles are too deep to treat with fractional resurfacing, chemical peels, or microdermabrasion. Instead they must be either shaved down or surgically excised (cut out). If you are removing a mole for aesthetic reasons, you should consider that while surgical excision will certainly get rid of the mole, the trade-off is a scar in its place. It is therefore important—especially if the mole is prominently placed on your face—to have this procedure performed by a dermatologic surgeon like Dr. Callahan who has excellent surgical skills and can minimize any resulting scar.

An important caution: Never try to remove a mole at home! Not only can you give yourself an awful scar, but if the mole happens to contain cancerous cells, you could also spread them.

Q: When should you get medical attention for a mole?

A: If a mole changes size or shape, if it bleeds, or if it grows back after it is removed, you need to see a dermatologist. These are all possible signs of skin cancer and should not be ignored.