Having moles on visible body areas, especially face moles are very frustrating and can affect a person’s self esteem. When you grow up with an unsightly facial mole, you’ll often get self-conscious when people stare at you as though you look different than them. Sometimes the words they say can be very hurtful and will stay with you for a very long time.
Everyone has moles. A typical person has between 10 to 40 moles in the body. Moles are pigmented lesions which can form as individual or in groups in anywhere on the skin. They can be of any size and shape, and most moles are red, brown, gray, blue and black. While some moles are flat and smooth, others can be rough and slightly raised, and contained dark hairs.
Although moles are usually developed as birthmarks, during childhood, or in the first 20 years of a person’s life, some moles can also appear in the later part of life. If they irritate you so much, you probably should consider removing them.
What causes a mole?
Moles are formed when skin cells grow in clusters instead of spreading evenly throughout the skin. When expose to the sunlight, the pigmentations of the clusters will become darker.
As the years pass, moles will usually change color, protrude out, and develop hairs. Face moles will usually be darker as it is exposed to sunlight. Because of hormonal changes, moles will also appear darker during pregnancy and adolescence. However, some moles may fade away while others remain no change.
Is mole a threat to health?
Most moles are not dangerous or cancerous unless they develop differently from other existing ones. Watch out for changes in shape, color or size. If you observe bleeding or feel itchy and pain from the moles, it is advisable to seek medical advice. Usually the diagnosis involves a microscopic inspection of a mole cut out by a dermatologist.
How to remove a mole?
Many people choose to do nothing about their moles because they think that mole surgery is the only option. In fact, almost all moles can be removed permanently by surgical or non-surgical alternatives, and most moles removal procedures take only a short time.
Here are the common treatments on how to remove a mole.
1) Laser Mole Removal
(To be treated by a plastic surgeon)
A laser beam is aimed on the selective spot to break down mole pigments, and the debris will be absorbed by the body during the healing process. The procedure is suitable for any new and flat moles covering only a small area. Since laser beam does not penetrate deep enough, it can only treat the top layer of the mole and remain the bottom part. Therefore, it is not effective to treat protruding moles.
The facts of laser mole removal treatment:
a. Multiple sessions are required. Each session can cost as high as 50 to 400 dollars (make sure you have set aside sufficient budget). Most patients require three laser mole removal sessions.
b. The procedure is performed either with or without local anesthesia.
c. Possible risks and problems are infection, pain, partially removal, skin discoloration, bleeding and scarring.
d. The treatment is considered a cosmetic procedure which will not be covered by most insurance plans unless it is verified to be cancerous.
e. A scab is produced after the laser mole removal treatment but it will fall off within 2 weeks. You can wear makeup on the same day, and sunscreen lotion is recommended for six weeks following treatment.
f. IPL laser has been successfully used to reduce the risk of scarring to less than 1%.
Questions you should ask your surgeon.
a. Will my facial mole be completely removed?
b. What is the best mole surgery to remove my face moles?
c. What can I expect after the treatment? Do I expect scarring?
d. What is the risk of having complications with the treatment?
e. What is the surgeon’s experience in performing mole surgery?
2) Mole Surgery Methods
(To be treated by a dermatologist)
Your dermatologist can suggest a few alternatives to remove your moles depending on their size and condition.
a. Excision
An elliptical excision is usually used to cut out the mole and the surrounding skin which is potentially cancerous. The edges of the ellipse will then be stitched together to make a thin suture line to minimize scar. Sometimes special skin glue maybe used to close the edges together instead of using sutures.
b. Cauterization
It is a procedure to destruct the moles using a cautery device or chemical agent. There is no surgical suture, but it will leave behind scarring.
c. Shaving method
This procedure is effective for protruding moles. The moles will be lifted and removed with a scalpel until it is flush with the surrounding skin. To stop the bleeding, an cautery device is used to burn the surgical area and follow by the use of antiseptic cream to prevent infection.
As scarring is left behind by any mole surgery methods, you may want to consider the natural alternatives to treat your moles especially if it is a facial mole.
3) Natural Mole Removal
(To be treated in your own home)
There are quite a number of natural mole removal methods in the market which can treat moles in the comfort of your own home. Most of the removal formulas work in the same principle by using natural herbs to cauterize the moles.
It is definitely a better removal option for face moles. Read more about how to remove a mole (particularly a facial mole) within 3 days, naturally and effectively.
