Moles, also known as nevi, are skin lesions made up of pigmented cell clusters that can appear on any part of your body. Though moles are generally dark brown in color, they can appear in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. While moles are generally harmless, they can detract from physical appearance or even turn cancerous, necessitating treatment measures. If the moles have an elevated surface or are small in size, a doctor can perform shave excision, a quick and simple technique that removes skin moles with a blade and requires no stitching of the wound.
Items you will need
- Cleaning solution
- Local anesthesia
- Small surgical blade
- Cauterization instrument
- Topical antibiotic
- Moisturizer
Instructions
The mole and surrounding area are washed with a cleaning solution. Local anesthesia is applied to numb the mole and the surrounding area.
A small surgical blade known as a Dermablade is used to cut around and below the mole, making the area flush with the surrounding skin.
The area where the mole was removed is cauterized with an electrical instrument to stop any bleeding that may occur.
Topical antibiotic is applied to the area to reduce the risk of infection.
The affected area may heal the same way a superficial graze heals—first oozing and then creating a scab—states the Brighton Laser Clinic website. The scab will fall off within seven to ten days, and the skin will heal naturally.
Tips
Keep the area where the mole has been removed moist by applying petroleum jelly or a moisturizer.
Warnings
Young patients may experience re-growth and re-pigmentation of the mole after shave excision treatments, which may necessitate another shave excision procedure.
Do not attempt to remove a mole by yourself, as doing so can cause disfiguration and infection.
