Signs Your Mole May Need to Be Removed

Moles aren't typically cancerous. However, they can pop up in unsightly areas and cause embarrassment. Luckily, dermatologists can remove moles easily. Keep reading to discover what signs signal you should talk about removing a mole.

Those little brown spots on your skin are moles that vary in size, shape, and color. While most of these moles aren't harmful, they can be uncomfortable or show up on areas like your face, which can be embarrassing.

If you're concerned about a mole or don't like how it looks, the Dermatology Center of Worcester offers mole removal to ease your mind and improve your confidence.

Leading our team is Dr. Camille I. Roberts, an esteemed dermatologist. Dr. Roberts thoroughly evaluates your moles to determine if they're troublesome and offers personalized treatments to protect your health and skin.

What are moles?

Moles are a type of skin growth that happens when melanocytes clump under your skin.

Melanocytes are the cells that give your skin pigmentation or color. Moles are usually small and vary in shades of brown color.

Most people have at least a few moles on their body. They can form anywhere, from your face to your feet.

Moles vary in size, shape, color, and texture, although most are round or oval. They can be small or large shades of brown, red, black, or tan.

While many moles are harmless, some can mutate and become cancerous. Significant exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays increases your risk of developing skin cancer from a mole.

Signs your mole requires treatment

Most of the moles on your body don't require any treatment and are harmless. However, watching your moles for changes that could indicate skin cancer is a good idea.

An excellent way to remember the signs of a problematic mole is to know your ABCDEs. The symptoms of a potentially cancerous mole include:

Asymmetry

Moles that look asymmetrical are usually a cause for concern, especially if they were round before. Look for moles that are irregular in shape and look different from one half to the other.

Border

Normal moles have a straight or round border, while troublesome moles may have a jagged edge or an irregular shape.

Color

Moles vary in color, but they shouldn't change color drastically. If you have a mole that begins brown and turns black or other colors, it's time to get it checked out by our team.

Diameter

Most moles are small and barely noticeable until they grow more prominent than the size of a pea. If your mole grows more than this size, you may need it removed for cosmetic or health purposes.

Evolved

Evolving moles mean they've changed over several months or years. Changes in a mole could be a sign of a problem, and having it removed can prevent the mole from progressing.

You may also have a mole removed if it's itchy or rubs on your clothing, causing discomfort and bleeding.

How are moles removed?

Whether you're tired of looking at a mole on your face or our team determines a mole is problematic, you can have moles removed in the office.

Before you have a mole removal, our team thoroughly checks your body for other suspicious moles so you can do everything at once.

Our practice offers two different options to have a mole removed, and they include:

Surgical removal

During the surgical removal of a mole, Dr. Roberts numbs the area around the mole and cuts out the mole with a scalpel. After she's sure she got it all, Dr. Roberts sews the incision with sutures and puts a bandage on the area.

Shaving

If Dr. Roberts isn't concerned about cancer, she may recommend shaving the mole. In this procedure, she numbs the area around the mole and shaves it off with the scalpel blade.

She doesn't excise any extra tissue when shaving a mole, which is why it's used for cosmetic purposes only.

Our team sends them to a lab concerning moles, where someone tests them for abnormal cells and skin cancer.

If your results return normal, you don't need any follow-up care. However, stay vigilant about checking the moles on your body regularly.

Moles that come back suspicious for cancer may require follow-up testing and appointments to ensure you stay on top of your skin health.

If you're concerned about a mole on your body, don't hesitate to call our Worcester, Massachusetts office at 508-452-2702 for an appointment or request a consultation online today.