Moles & Growths

What are moles?

Moles are usually harmless collections of pigmented cells called melanocytes on your skin. They can appear alone or in groups. Moles can be present on any location on the body occurring most commonly on the torso, face, arms and legs. The number of moles you have may constantly change. New moles may appear up through your teenage years, but most appear by age 20. Some moles disappear with advancing age.

What do moles look like?

Moles come in a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes. They can be flesh-colored, brown, blue or black spots that vary in shape from oval to round. The surface of a mole can be smooth or wrinkled, flat or raised. Over your lifetime, some of your moles are likely to change. With exposure to sun, they may darken. They also may start out flat and brown in color and later become slightly raised and lighter in color. They can be as small as a pinhead or large enough to cover an entire limb. Moles that are larger than 8 inches in diameter and present at birth are a special problem. They may need to be removed to avoid the risk of cancer.

When should I be concerned about a mole?

To detect melanomas or other skin cancers, use the following A-B-C-D skin self-examination guide from the American Academy of Dermatology:

• A is for asymmetrical shape . Look for moles with irregular shapes, such as two very different-looking halves.
• B is for irregular border . Look for moles with irregular, notched or scalloped borders – the characteristics of melanomas.
• C is for changes in color . Look for growths that have many colors or an uneven distribution of color.
• D is for diameter . Look for growths that are larger than about 1/4 inch (6 millimeters).

If a new mole appears in adulthood, past age 20, you should see our dermatologists. If you experience any of the following symptoms a visit to a dermatologist is critical:

• Painful
• Itching or burning
• Oozing or bleeding
• Inflamed
• Scaly or crusty
• Suddenly different in size, shape, color or elevation

If you’re concerned about a mole please contact Clinic’estetica™ for an examination.

Why would I have my mole removed?

If our dermatologists discover a cancerous mole or growth or if you are concerned about a mole or growth or if you have a mole that you simply find unattractive, you may choose to have it removed. If you have a mole in a beard, you may want to have it removed because shaving over it repeatedly may cause irritation. You may also want to have moles removed from other parts of your body that are vulnerable to trauma and friction.

How are moles removed?

Clinic’estetica™ removes moles and growths using the latest in electrosurgery techniques. The skin is numbed with a local anesthetic before the procedure. The dermatologist shaves the area with a scalpel then destroys the tissue below the surface with an electric needle. This destroys any remaining abnormal cells and controls the bleeding. The wound is then covered with an antibiotic dressing. Mole or growth removal may leave a small scar behind.

Other procedures

If you have hair growing from a mole but the mole itself does not bother you Clinic’estetica™’s dermatologists can permanently remove the hairs from the mole. For more information, follow the link below to the Mayo Clinic website.

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