Mole Removal
Moles are normal skin imperfections, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them if they bother you. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. David Cangello offers cosmetic mole removal procedures at his New York City practice. Dr. Cangello uses his surgical expertise to remove moles with minimal scarring to give you smooth, even skin.
Should I Get My Mole Removed?
Common moles are fairly small in size with distinct borders and a round or oval shape and an even color that may be pink, tan, or brown. These moles often develop in childhood and typically do not pose any health risk, but many people do not like the way they look. If you often find yourself wishing you could get rid of a mole or if you are tired of trying to cover one up, mole removal can be a quick and efficient solution.
When people talk about moles, there is often concern about skin cancer. You should always be diligent about protecting your skin from sun exposure and monitoring any moles for changes that could indicate a problem because cancers such as melanoma can have serious health consequences. However, the good news is that most moles that are sent for biopsy are determined to pose no danger.1
If your dermatologist determines that you have a mole that looks suspicious and that it should be biopsied, having the biopsy performed by a Plastic Surgeon will minimize the chance of having any visible scarring afterward. When moles are biopsied, if they are abnormal, they are usually called dysplastic nevi. Dr. Cangello has extensive experience with the excision of these and other skin lesions. He also has extensive experience with the removal of skin cancers and their complex reconstruction.
How Are Moles Removed?
Mole removal is typically a quick, in-office procedure. Dr. Cangello will use a local anesthetic to numb your skin to prevent pain during the removal. The details of your mole removal process and recovery will vary depending on the size and location of your mole.
Shave Mole Removal
A shave removal technique may be used for moles that are considered to be superficial. In a shave removal, Dr. Cangello will use a specialized razor to remove the mole. Sutures are not needed with a shave mole removal. The benefit of shaving a mole is that it will usually heal without formation of a scar. The downside is that there may be incomplete removal of all of the pigmented cells that give the mole its color. If this is the case, there may be some residual pigmentation in the skin after a shave removal is performed. The mole can be re-shaved if this happens and if the patient so desires. However, it is rare that moles need to be re-shaved.
Excision Mole Removal
Some moles have cells that extend below the surface of the skin, which means that shave excision will not adequately remove the appearance of the mole. In these cases, Dr. Cangello will use a scalpel to cut into the dermal layer and excise the mole. He will cut evenly around the mole and into the surrounding skin in an oval shape in order to precisely remove the mole before suturing the skin closed.
Recovery After Mole Removal
Your recovery will vary depending on the size and location of your mole excision. In general, you will be able to resume regular day-to-day activities right away, but you should expect 5 to 7 days of healing. You will be given specific instructions on bandaging and applying ointment. If you had an excision removal, there will be a scar but Dr. Cangello will suture it with great care and expert technique in order to minimize scarring.
The Advantages of Mole Removal By a Plastic Surgeon
There are several types of medical professionals who can remove a mole, but plastic surgeons are uniquely qualified to give you the best aesthetic result after mole removal. Your regular doctor may remove your mole in a way that is medically sound, while a plastic surgeon will use the same precision and attention to detail that goes into cosmetic surgery. Believe it or not, the way that the incision is made and the way that it is sutured can significantly affect the quality of the resulting scar. Plastic Surgeons are trained to use the proper techniques for all steps of skin lesion excision and are therefore best suited to minimize the appearance of the scar. Dr. Cangello is board-certified and has been recognized as a leader in plastic surgery, including several “top doctor” awards and numerous media features. He uses his innate sense of artistry and highly specialized training to provide mole removal that leaves your skin as smooth and rejuvenated as possible.
Contact Dr. Cangello
Have you been considering mole removal? Contact Dr. Cangello for a consultation appointment to learn more about mole removal in New York City.
References
1 Population-Based Analysis of Histologically Confirmed Melanocytic Proliferations Using Natural Language Processing. JAMA Dermatol. 2018;154(1):24-29. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.4060
