If you have a mole you want to get rid of, you should go to a dermatologist rather than trying a home remedy. Removing a mole yourself could leave behind a permanent scar. It isn't necessary to remove a mole unless it bothers you for some reason. If it is in a conspicuous place or if it rubs against a shirt collar, then you may decide getting rid of it is best. Plus, your dermatologist may recommend removing it if it looks suspicious for cancer. Here's how the procedure works.

Preparing The Skin

Although it sounds painful to have a mole cut out, your skin is numbed first. Your doctor will inject anesthetic or apply an anesthetic ointment to the area, so you won't feel much discomfort. Your skin will be washed and prepped so the area is clean and as sterile as possible before the cutting begins. The procedure is done in your doctor's office and you'll be awake and alert through it all.

Cutting Out The Mole

The doctor will either scoop out the mole or shave it off depending upon how deep it goes under your skin. If the mole is shaved off, it is taken off a layer at a time down to just below the skin. This treatment is only suitable for very shallow moles. You probably won't need any stitches when you have a mole shaved off.

If your mole is a deep one, the doctor will have to cut it out. If your doctor is suspicious of cancer, he or she will scoop out a border of healthy tissue along with the mole to make sure all cancer cells are removed too. This procedure will leave a pit in your skin that needs to be closed with stitches. The doctor will use stitches that dissolve on their own if they are placed deep in the wound. If the top layer of your skin is stitched closed also, you may need to return to your doctor to have them removed when your wound is healed.

Recovering From The Procedure

Your skin will probably be sore for a few days, especially if you have a deep mole removed. Pain can be managed by applying an ice pack to the area or taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. Your doctor will teach you how to care for the wound. It generally requires that you clean it a couple of times a day, after which you apply ointment and a new bandage. You want to keep the area clean, so you don't get an infection. Also, try not to stress the area before your skin is completely healed or the skin may split back open. It's important to follow your doctor's orders when caring for the wound so you won't be left with a permanent scar.

Mole removal is an easy process to go through, so it is worthwhile if you are embarrassed by a mole on your neck or face that is always visible. One thing to keep in mind is to let your doctor know if the mole returns after being removed. This might be a sign of skin cancer and should be looked at by a dermatologist, like those at Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Specialists.