A handful of celebrities made moles part of their public personas, such as Elizabeth Taylor and Cindy Crawford. For most people, though, moles are an annoyance or a health concern.
For example, new moles or moles that change appearance after years of looking the same can indicate skin cancer. Even if your moles are benign, many of them are unsightly. That’s why many people want them removed.
Of course, any medical procedure can seem a little scary if you don’t know what to expect. If you’re wondering about your mole removal options and what they entail, keep reading for our quick guide to the options.
Home Removal
For people who wonder how to remove moles, there are countless folk remedies for dealing with moles with little or no science to back them up. You can find over-the-counter mole removal creams. While these can remove moles, they can also leave you with a serious scar at the mole location.
Simply cutting the mole off can prove tempting, but it also puts you at risk for scarring or an infection.
Surgical Removal
The medical term for this mole removal approach is surgical excision. In essence, the doctor will use something to numb the area around the mole. Then, they will use a sterile blade to cut out the mole and little of the surrounding skin.
Afterward, it typically only takes a stitch or two to close up the incision site. There is a possibility of a small mole removal scar.
Some doctors also use a method called a surgical shave. With this approach, the doctor still numbs you. Then they basically scrape the mole away, along with a little bit of the skin beneath.
Laser Mole Removal
There isn’t much of a mystery about laser mole removal. The doctor literally uses a laser to destroy the mole cells.
The upside of this method is its precision. It typically doesn’t affect any of the skin around the mole.
Mole Removal Cost
Are you wondering, “How much does it cost to get a mole removed?” Sadly, there isn’t a simple answer.
For example, if your mole is a sign of cancer, there is a good chance that your insurance will cover some of the costs. If your mole is just a mole, many insurance plans consider the removal cosmetic and won’t cover costs.
As a very general rule of thumb, costs can range from a couple of hundred dollars up to a couple thousand, depending on your situation.
Mole Removal and You
Any mole can leave a person feeling unsettled, either because it might indicate a health problem or because it mars their appearance. You should get any new moles or moles that changed in appearance looked at by your family doctor as a basic precaution.
As for mole removal, the surgical and laser removal procedures are comparatively simple. Most doctors perform them on an outpatient basis.
Looking for more tips on taking care of your health? Head over and check out the articles in our Health section.
