Removing a mole can leave behind a scar and the degree of visibility and permanence of the mark will depend on several factors. While the majority of moles are small, benign, and not problematic; some moles can be bigger and more concerning. The type of mole you have, its location on your body, your personal preference for scars, as well as how your skin responds to the procedure will all factor into whether or not you’ll likely have a visible scar after mole removal. Consequently, to better understand your options for mole removal and whether or not it is likely to leave a scar, we’ve outlined all you need to know about this topic below.
Does Removing A Mole Leave A Scar?
There is a common misconception that removing a mole will leave a scar. Moles are benign growths and will not leave scars. If your mole is dark in color, it is most likely melanoma, which can be treated with a wide variety of treatment options.
What Are The Types Of Moles?
1. Flat:
They look like dimples or shallow holes in your skin. Many people mistake these for pimples and try to squeeze them or pop them. Doing so will not make them go away any faster. These moles are completely normal and do not require any treatment. In fact, you don’t even have to tell anyone that you have them if they aren’t bothersome to you.
2. Spreading:
They usually don’t cause any problems, but they can sometimes be itchy or unsightly. To get rid of moles, you can try exfoliating your skin with a scrub or applying an apple cider vinegar toner. You can also try filling in moles with gooey glue to flatten them out. You can also visit your doctor to have moles removed if they’re bothersome.
3. Irregular:
They can be flesh-colored or brown, and their texture can be smooth or bumpy. They are common in all skin types, especially in areas with a lot of friction like the knees and elbows. They are mostly harmless, and you can prevent them from growing larger by limiting the amount of time you spend sitting. You can also try exfoliating them by applying a scrub or a loofah to their surface. There are few cases of moles that change in size or color and can be a sign of melanoma, so if you notice any changes in your moles, see your doctor.
4. Unusual:
They are brown or black in color, and their surface is smooth and bumpy. They can be unsightly and can also indicate melanoma. If you have a mole that grows darker in color over time, see your doctor check for signs of melanoma.
5. Dark:
They are black or brown in color, often with a red or blue ring around the edge of the mole. They usually don’t cause any problems and can be caused by many things such as sun exposure, skin tone, and genetics. You can prevent dark moles from growing larger by limiting the amount of time you spend sitting outdoors or covering them with sunscreen if you plan to be outside during the sun’s peak hours—between 10 am to 2 pm. Dark moles are more likely to be caused by melanoma than flat ones, so if you notice any changes in your moles, see your doctor immediately for a check-up.
6. Light:
They are white or pink in color and have no visible bumpy surface area on them. They are most common in women who wear make-up regularly because it gives them a more even skin tone under their foundation; however, they can also appear after pregnancy or overweight individuals who lose weight because their skin becomes thinner due to fat loss. Unsightly moles that are pinkish-white in color may also be caused by sun exposure as well as hormonal changes during pregnancy.
Why Do We Remove Moles?
Moles are benign growths and do not require any type of treatment. However, if the mole is unsightly or highly visible, it may be removed to achieve a better cosmetic appearance. Moles can be removed using several different methods that include:
- Electrosurgery/Electrocautery: This method involves the use of an electric current to destroy or remove tissue by melting the tissue and cauterizing the wound with heat. This is commonly used for removing moles in areas where the skin is thin such as on the face, neck, hands, and scalp.
- Cryosurgery: This method involves freezing a mole with liquid nitrogen followed by cutting it out. The freezing process makes the mole more fragile so it is easier to cut out after it has thawed out. Cryosurgery can also be used for removing moles in areas where the skin is thick such as on the trunk and legs since there will be less damage to surrounding tissue than with electrosurgery. The drawback of this method is that it cannot be used on all types of moles due to differences in the thickness of surrounding tissue or because one side or top of a mole may have been frozen but not the bottom or side where you want to remove it (the scar will still have a line down it).
- Surgery: Surgery involves cutting out part or all of a mole using local anesthetic and stitches (while awake) or general anesthetic and stitches. This can be done in the office or clinic with local anesthesia and sedation, or general anesthesia and sedation.
- Skin Punch: This is a technique that involves inserting a needle into the skin through a mole to create an opening. The mole may be removed through this opening or left in place. The advantage of this method is that it does not damage surrounding tissue and scarring is minimal because the mole is not cut out (it only has an opening). The drawback of this method is that it may not work on all types of moles because some moles are too deep for the needle to penetrate fully into them. Also, if the mole has been frozen, it will thaw out before being removed so there may be scarring in that area down the middle where both sides have been separated (the bottom and top) by freezing but not cutting out or removing by surgery or cryosurgery.
- Laser Hair Removal: This method uses a laser to remove hair from the surface area of skin using light energy to break up hair follicles at their base (where they grow) rather than burning them off at their tips as traditional shaving does. Laser hair removal works on all parts of the body including on areas where there are scars from prior laser treatments, such as around your eyes, nose, mouth, etc. It also works on moles with no noticeable scars from previous treatments due to its ability to target follicles at their base rather than just the surface of them.
Conclusion
Moles are clusters of melanocytes which are pigment-producing cells. There are different types of moles which include common moles, dysplastic moles, and malignant moles. You may want to remove a mole if it is large, has an irregular border, or has multiple colors within the same mole. Mole removal can be done in a few different ways, and a doctor will determine the most appropriate removal treatment for your individual situation.
