Summer season is over, and if you’re like most people, you got a fair amount of sun exposure when you were participating in fun activities all summer long. That’s why it’s important to talk about moles, and mole removal procedures.
Many people have moles that have been present for a while, possibly even for as long as they can remember. Others may develop new moles, after prolonged exposure to the sun. Regardless of the mole’s origin, everyone should be aware of these two things:
- The vast majority of moles are harmless and can be left alone. In fact most adults have between 10 and 40 moles on their body. There is no reason to remove them other than the aesthetic benefit.
- Rarely, certain moles can develop into melanoma (a serious form of skin cancer). People should be vigilant and checking their moles for:
- Color Changes
- Increase in size (the usual reference is “anything larger than a pencil eraser”)
- Unevenness
- Itching or bleeding
So, it’s important to not become fearful of the possibility of cancer, but still be aware that this possibility exists. If you do notice any of the above signs of irregularity, you’ll want to meet with your doctor and have him or her examine the mole.
If you go to your regular doctor with a mole, he or she may refer you another doctor (typically a dermatologist) for a removal procedure. Many different kinds of surgeons can perform the procedure, but patients are often concerned about the physical outcome of mole removal procedures. This is particularly true of moles that are on the face.
Many patients ask their dermatologist for a referral to a plastic surgeon, to ensure that the mole is not only removed but removed with the greatest amount of care to avoid scarring and achieve the most pleasing aesthetic outcome. Plastic surgeons are specifically trained and equipped to deal with mole removal when there’s a concern about the physical appearance of the final product.
If you have a mole that you’d like examined or removed, don’t hesitate to contact St. Charles Plastic Surgery to set up a consultation.
