Mole Removal - Options

HEALTH/PLASTIC SURGERY/PROCEDURES

In a society where plastic surgery is accepted, mole removal is one of the most common procedures performed by plastic surgeons. When considering a procedure such as laser mole removal or other surgical procedures, it is important to know the risks as well as the benefits.

The benefits are obvious-many moles are blatantly visible on a person's neck, face, nose, upper lip, back, etc. While some moles are considered attractive, such as Cindy Crawford's iconic "beauty mark", many people are self-conscious about having visible marks on their body. Having a simple procedure to remove an unwanted lump of flesh can be an easy fix to boost self-esteem.

There are other reasons to remove moles as well. Some moles get in the way of daily routines, such as shaving. Many moles are in an area that can be easily irritated by clothing or jewelry. And of course, some moles need to be removed for health reasons. In fact, if a mole is suspected to be pre-cancerous, removal can often completely eliminate the risk of more serious problems.

After consulting with your dermatologist and finding out whether your mole poses a health risk, you can decide which treatment is best for you. Many factors will determine your decision. Cost, recovery time, scarring, side effects and overall success rate of the procedure are the main factors one should consider when looking in to mole removal options.

You can expect to pay anywhere from $150-$400 for a mole removal procedure. Depending on the type of mole, the surgeon will generally use one of two techniques. In the first, a surgeon would shave the mole off at skin level with a scalpel, then cauterize the wound. The second procedure involves the surgeon cutting out the mole along with a section of skin around the mole itself, then closes the wound with stitches. The main risks with both procedures are scarring and infection. There is also a very likely possibility that the mole might grow back.

There are also additional costs to be aware of, such as laboratory fees. Your doctor may want to have your mole analyzed after removing it to see if it is malignant, or cancerous.

Another concern about mole removal surgery is scarring. Although a good dermatologist or surgeon will do as much as he or she can to avoid it, some scarring is usually inevitable. There are ways to minimize the discoloration and visibility of scars. Many anti-scarring creams are available without a prescription and have proven very effective.

Mole removal surgery usually takes about one to two hours, and most people recover from the pain in a few hours. Since it's not major surgery in most cases, the main concern after the procedure is infection. Your doctor will most likely give you antibiotics and tell you to keep your wound clean.

Laser treatment is another method of mole removal. While scarring is not an issue for this technique, it is important to know this is not a method used for treating deep moles because the laser does not penetrate deeply enough. Therefore, unless you have a surface mole, this treatment will most likely not work for you.

Another option to consider is natural mole removal. Recent research shows that many homeopathic methods are effective in removing many common moles, and there are many home remedies and natural mole removal creams and salves on the market, of course, it's best to research your options carefully, and make sure that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients.

S.Genn. © 2010