Possibly you have ever wondered if you can remove that unsightly mole or wart that sticks out somewhere on your body. Or that maybe it gets irritated from time to time, starts to bleed or even black hairs come out of it.
I'm sure you have a solution! But first of all, the most important thing is to make a correct pre-surgical dermatological diagnosis to avoid problems in the future. Now I will explain why.
What will this article cover?
Why is it important to make an accurate diagnosis?
The first step for a successful treatment is to make a correct diagnosis of this wart or mole. There are different dermatological lesions that may present as raised lesions on the skin both benign as well as malignant.
There are many differential diagnoses of moles and warts and only a dermatologist is trained to diagnose them correctly.
Here are a few examples of some lesions that may look like moles on the face:
-
Dermal nevus -
Basal cell carcinoma -
Nodular melanoma -
Xanthelasma -
Seborrheic keratosis -
Dermal nevus -
Angioma -
Viral wart -
Acrocordones
As you can see, many times what we call moles or warts can have different diagnoses and therefore the treatment will be very different in each case. In some cases we can even find malignant lesions such as melanoma or basal cell carcinoma that can also present clinically as warts.
Therefore, it is important to consult a dermatologist before performing an operation on any lesion.. In our profession we are used to make accurate diagnoses by dermoscopy and in difficult cases even by confocal microscopy that will allow us to remove a mole safely.
The good news is that if we do everything correctly we can get very good results like the ones I show you below.
Is a mole or wart the same thing?
One of the things I see most often in my practice is patients who come in to have burn their "warts". However, lesions that patients interpret as warts are rarely warts. Knowing the difference between a mole and a wart is very important so that avoid applying treatments at home that may worsen the situation.
A mole is a group of cells called melanocytes. which are usually brown or black and can appear anywhere on the body. They usually appear before the age of 20 and most are benign.
On the other hand, the warts are viral lesions produced by the human papillomavirus (HPV). These warts have different clinical presentations depending on the site where they appear. In this way we can find them in the office:
- Palmar and plantar warts
- Genital warts (condyloma)
- Flat warts in children
It is important to know that viral warts are contagious and can continue to appear more if left untreated. But this is not what I will cover in this post.
How to remove a mole safely?
Once we have made the correct diagnosis of a dermal mole or other benign lesion we must choose the most appropriate procedure. There are different surgical techniques that should be assessed depending on the initial diagnosis of the lesion to achieve the best esthetic result.
Among the different surgical techniques we can find:
- Punch biopsy: A circular punch is placed over the mole to remove the mole with the smallest possible diameter.
- Excision by shaving (shave): We reserve it for raised lesions that look like warts in which we shave the lesion at the skin level. The aesthetic result is excellent.
- Surgical excision: We normally use it in flat lesions in which we need to remove the entire lesion to make a correct diagnosis. In this case stitches must be used.
- Ablative laser or CO2 laser: In benign and non-melanocytic skin lesions we can use the CO2 laser for vaporization. It has an excellent aesthetic result.
- Cryotherapy: Only in some benign lesions confirmed by dermoscopy can we apply cryotherapy. Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to generate extremely cold temperatures (-196°C) to destroy the cells. Although it is a quick and easy procedure to perform in the office, the aesthetic results are worse, so I prefer to use other methods.
Subsequently, all lesions that we remove require a histological study, i.e. a biopsy and microscopic examination to rule out signs of skin cancer. It is not uncommon for a skin cancer to appear on a mole and sometimes the only clue to the diagnosis is microscopic study of the lesion.
Do you want me to assess if your mole can be removed?
Removing flat or raised moles
Removing a flat mole and a raised mole are different procedures due to the unique characteristics of each type of mole. This is very important when deciding whether to remove a mole or leave it alone.
Removing flat moles
Flat moles are found deeper in the skin. In order to remove them we will need to make a deep incision to be able to remove the entire mole and analyze it correctly under the microscope.
Generally, in these cases, the removal of these moles tends to be avoided.The reason? Well, because removing them involves undergoing a slightly more complex surgical procedure. As illustrated in the image below, the challenge is that removing a flat mole requires the application of stitches, which inevitably results in the formation of a scar. Consequently, we remove flat moles when we suspect that there is any suspicion of malignancy.
Removing raised or dermal moles
Dermal moles rise above the surface of the skin giving a warty appearance. Although these moles can be much more noticeable, in most cases they do not represent a medical problem and their removal is simpler than that of flat molesThe most common options are laser surgery or surgical removal by shaving.
In the following illustration you can see how we perform a shaving procedure to remove a mole with relief.
What can I expect after mole removal?
Once a mole has been removed, there will be a phase of recovery or regeneration of the skin. During this phase the patient will play a key role as it will require a specific wound and scar care protocol to be followed.
Healing time after mole removal depends on the individual. Younger people tend to heal faster than older adults. And, of course, a larger incision will take longer to close than a smaller one. In general, a mole removal scar will take at least two to three weeks to heal.
If everything goes well, we can observe very good results as the following picture shows the result after removing a dermal nevus or mole with relief.
Initial phase of healing
During the initial phase (0-14 days) when we still have a scab or surgical stitches in place will be very important:
- Follow the guideline specific care that your doctor has left you when removing the mole.
- Avoid exposure of the scar to sunlight, as it can cause it to heal more slowly. It can also make the scar darker and more noticeable.
Recovery phase
The recovery phase will begin when the scab from a shaving wound has fallen off or when the surgeon has removed the stitches. Normally the healing process usually lasts from a few months to 1 year. It will be essential for your care:
Massage the wound
Massaging the scar can help to make it less hard and improve vascularization. You can do this 1 to 3 times a day by gently massaging the scar for 1-2 minutes.
Use silicone-based products
Silicone products, such as silicone sheets and gels, can improve healing and have been the most studied. You can use them under makeup and clothing and for a minimum period of 3 months.
- Silicone sheets: Silicone sheets can help make your scar smoother and flatter. To use a silicone sheet, cut it to the size of your scar and apply it over it. You can leave it on for up to 7 days without changing it. Some brands of silicone sheeting include Trofolastin silicone patches and the Cica-Care
- Silicone gels: To use a silicone gel, use it 2 times on your scar and let it dry. Some brands of silicone gels are Mederma silicone gel with sun protection and also Dermatix gel
Protect your scar from the sun
Laser-assisted healing
If you are very concerned about aesthetics, lasers can further aid in the treatment of surgical wounds by speeding recovery and improving scars. Acting quickly and performing them as soon as possible is advantageous, maximizing benefits and scar quality. If you have any questions you can ask us.
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Are there any risks when removing a mole?
The biggest risk after surgery is that the site may become infected and leave a visible scar. If you carefully follow the instructions we will give you to care for the wound until it heals, it is very rare for this to happen.
Will there be much scarring?
Whether from surgery or a scrape on the knee, all skin wounds can leave a scar. A scar is the body's natural way of closing the skin and healing a wound.
If you follow all the post-surgical instructions, the chances that you will be able to the wound heals well will be very high and will leave little mark. It is always important to talk to your dermatologist before any procedure to assess the risk of scarring depending on the location and size of the mole.
Can I remove my moles at home?
You should never apply an anti-wart treatment or try to remove something from your own skin if you do not know the diagnosis. Many times we find in the consultation with moles very irritated by treatment that do not correspond and end up leaving a scar or residual hyperpigmentation. This is something we see very frequently in our office and that is why I decided to write the following article: Why is it not a good idea to remove a mole at home?
But not all concerns are aesthetic. The biggest problem associated with removing something from your skin on your own is that there is no way of knowing whether you are removing a benign lesion or a malignant one. At the Melanoma Unit of the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona we repeatedly encounter patients or people not trained to make a proper diagnosis who burn malignant lesions. This leads to late diagnosis of malignant lesions that can be potentially fatal.
Messages for home
In conclusion, I always recommend you to go to a dermatologist to correctly assess your moles or other skin lesions and choose together the best treatment for your case.
If you plan to have a mole removed, talk to your dermatologist about your options for minimizing scarring. Share your concerns up front and ask what you can do after the procedure to help make the scar as faint and small as possible.
353 Responses
Hello, excuse me, I have a mole on the lower part of my nose, I'm not at any risk for having it removed.
Hello Neyser, depending on the diagnosis, one surgical technique will have to be chosen over another. When having surgery, there are always risks of scarring, and it's very important that your doctor informs you well about them.
Hello, I have a skin tag
Is there any risk in removing it?
Hello Andrea,
The location is not a problem for removal; however, before removing it, you need to have it evaluated by a dermatologist to make a correct diagnosis and offer you the best treatment for this lesion.
Warmest regards
Hello
I have a papilloma with eyelashes on my upper eyelid. I would like to remove the papilloma but without losing my eyelashes. .
Is it possible?
Hello Miriam,
Sure, it can be done without losing the tabs.
Hello doctor, I have a question. My daughter has a flat mole, like a freckle. What would be the best treatment for removal?
Hi Liz,
Flat moles do not need to be removed, especially in children. We typically remove flat moles when we suspect they may be malignant.
Best regards
Hello, I have a mole on my nose that bothers me. Can I remove it myself at home with a Lacer pen?
Dear Vane,
I would never recommend removing a mole at home without a professional diagnosis. In fact, I wrote a whole article about it. It is not recommended to remove moles at home because it can lead to serious health risks. Home removal methods are often crude and can cause: * **Infection:** Unsterile tools and improper technique can introduce bacteria, leading to painful infections that may require medical treatment. * **Scarring:** Moles are removed by cutting or burning them off, which can result in significant scarring, often more noticeable than the original mole. * **Incomplete Removal:** You may not remove the entire mole, leaving behind cancerous cells that can continue to grow and spread. * **Misdiagnosis of Melanoma:** This is the most critical risk. A mole that appears harmless could actually be melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer. Only a dermatologist can properly diagnose a suspicious mole and determine the best course of action. If you try to remove it yourself and it's cancerous, you could delay proper diagnosis and treatment, which can be life-threatening. * **Excessive Bleeding:** Attempting to cut or pull off a mole can cause significant bleeding that is difficult to control at home. * **Pain:** Without proper anesthesia, home removal can be extremely painful. For these reasons, it is always best to consult a dermatologist for any mole removal. They have the sterile equipment, expertise, and diagnostic capabilities to safely and effectively that you can review it in the the following link.
They removed a mole from my chest with a scalpel because it grew and also had a wart that was growing.
He tells me to clean it with alcohol and then apply Vaseline for the first week. Then, to continue using only alcohol.
It struck me as odd. Is this treatment correct?
Can I not use Betadine?
Can I use a regenerative ointment like Bepanthol?
Thank you very much.
Hi Susana,
Without knowing the type of surgery you had, I can't offer much of an opinion. Does the wound have stitches?
I've had a mole on my chest since I was little. It's flat, and I'd like to have it removed. Is it possible given its location?
Hello Maria, generally speaking, it is possible to remove moles. However, if it is flat, you will possibly need stitches, and the chest is a high-risk area for keloid development. Before removing any mole, a thorough diagnosis with a dermatoscope will be necessary.
So, before seeing if it can be removed or not, it's important that you visit a professional and get proper advice.
Hi, it's been 2 weeks since I had my mole removed, but I can see the spot, so they didn't re-stitch me because it would require opening me up again, and it was already healing. They just gave me Rifocin and I still have a big scab. Is this normal? I still have a scab where it was removed.
Where are you located, for a consultation… I'm in Mexico City
Hello Carlos,
My The practice is located in Barcelona, Spain.
Hello Doctor! I've had a mole above my upper lip since childhood. I've already seen two dermatologists, and both say it's benign and can be removed. However, it's right where my mustache grows, so what's the best technique to remove it while still allowing hair to grow there and minimizing any bald spot?
Hello... I have a mole next to my left eye and it's small... it's an aesthetic problem for me... is it possible to remove it?
Hello Dayanna, it probably won't be a problem, but we need to assess it in person first.
Best regards
Good morning, I have a skin tag between my ear and my face. Someone once told me it couldn't be removed because it's an area with facial nerves. But I'd like to know if it can be removed by burning it off or with nitrogen?
Hi Daiana,
There is probably no problem with removing this mole; however, if it is indeed a «skin tag,» treatment with nitrogen is a very bad option.
Best regards
Good evening. I've had a mole on my face, above my eyebrow, since I was little. Over the years it has grown, it's noticeable that it has become a bit raised, and sometimes when I use a hairdryer or hair straightener, the heat bothers my mole a little.
Estimada Marisol,
A live evaluation by a dermatologist is always important for an accurate diagnosis. It is possibly a dermal nevus, but we can only know if you come to the clinic. Best regards.
Good afternoon, I have a mole above my upper lip and it has been growing. I would like to know the best way to remove it. I await your response.
Good afternoon Rosa,
I imagine it's probably a dermal nevus. To know the best way to treat it, I would need to examine this mole first. You can fill out the form. in the following link and we will contact you so you can send us a photo safely.
Best regards
I had a mole removed with a surgical CO2 laser yesterday and I see there's a hole or a gap with a little blood. Is that normal?.
Dear Ana,
Without seeing it in person, I can't tell you if it's normal or not. If you have any doubts about the treatment performed, you should discuss it with the doctor who did it.
Best regards
Good afternoon, my question is that I have some moles, but all of a sudden a few more started appearing. I would like to get them removed. I await your response. Thank you.
Dear Patricia,
Good afternoon. First of all, it is very important to be able to evaluate your moles and get an exact diagnosis. If you would like, we could schedule a visit and perform a correct diagnosis to determine the best way to treat them. If you want, you can request it at the the following link.
Best regards
Interesting, thank you. I have a mole on the tip of my nose. What are the results in that part of the face? I went to the dermatologist and they just told me that a plastic surgeon handles that. Is that right? I will send my picture to your Instagram. I would appreciate your comments, I want to get it removed! Is it more risky?
Dear Lizeth,
The most important thing before making any decision is to assess your mole. Depending on the diagnosis and its shape, an appropriate treatment can be chosen for it.
Best regards
Your mole was removed with a scalpel, but the wound was not sutured. Instead, gauze was applied, and now that it has healed, it is lumpy. I would like to know what you recommend to make the skin smooth and even.
Hello Atova,
Without seeing you in person, I imagine the mole was removed using a technique called shaving. When we do this, there's no need to suture the wound. If it remains elevated after the procedure, it's important to have your dermatologist examine it to assess whether a touch-up is needed or if laser treatment is possible.
Where can I find you? I need to have my mole removed.
Hello Ericka,
My query is located in Barcelona, Spain
Good evening, I have a mole on my ear. It's noticeable. This mole is round and raised. I don't feel any discomfort, but I'd like to have it removed. Is it possible to do that?
Hello Elizabeth,
Normally, these raised moles don't have problems with removal; however, the most important thing before operating on it is to make a good diagnosis of this lesion, and depending on that, we can tell you which technique is best for removing it.
Best regards
Hello, how are you? I'm interested in...? Report
Hello,
I had a question. I have a mole above my eyebrow. I'm underage, but I like how it looks on me because it makes me feel «special.» I'm worried it will grow a lot. I like how it looks now because it's not very big, but that's the only thing. So, my question is: Does a mole grow a lot as you get older? And how could I have the mole I have now in the future? I know it's not possible because I'm pretty sure it will grow, but I don't want to remove it either. At the same time, I don't like it growing, like, for example, the singer Anaju. It's not that I'm hating on her; she's a great singer to me. She's an example of the mole she has.
Hello Miranda,
I hope you are doing very well. First of all, if you like your mole, you don't have to worry, and I wouldn't touch it. It's possible that in the future it might grow a little bigger, but this normally happens after age 40-50. If at some point you don't like it, it can be evaluated and removed.
Best regards
Hello, good afternoon. I wanted to tell you that I have a mole on my neck, but it's just one small one that sticks out a lot, and I'd like to have it removed. It doesn't hurt or anything, it just sometimes gets caught in my hair.
Thanks, regards
Hello Elizabeth,
It would be good to see this mole in person, but it can probably be removed easily. For that, you should request an appointment and for us to be able to see you in person.
Best regards