A mole, also called a nevus, is a common skin condition that affects most people. Moles can vary in size from a small dot to larger areas of raised, darkened skin about an inch in diameter. They may be flat or raised, smooth or rough, and may have hairs growing from them.

Moles develop from a buildup of skin cells and are non-cancerous. They can grow in childhood or adulthood and may darken with age, pregnancy, or sun exposure.

In some cases, moles can be bothersome or uncomfortable and you may want to remove them. Other abnormal changes in a mole can signal cancer, so skin screenings from Dr. Rodney are essential, especially for people who have many moles.

While most moles tend to be round and flesh-toned, yellow, brown, blue-grey, or nearly black in color, there are a couple of different types of moles that may concern you. These include:

• Atypical moles
  Atypical moles are benign (non-cancerous) moles that have a different appearance than normal moles. They may have an irregular shape or color and may change in size. If you have many atypical moles, it may predispose you to skin cancer, especially if your family members also have atypical moles.
• Seborrheic keratoses
  Seborrheic keratoses are a form of benign moles that appear wart-like or may resemble precancerous skin changes. They typically form in middle age and in older people, and you’ll often have more than one.

During your skin screening, Dr. Rodney examines the skin throughout your entire body to check for any suspicious moles or abnormal skin changes. While looking at your moles, she checks each mole for telltale signs of melanoma — the type of skin cancer that develops in moles.

You can remember the signs of melanoma using the acronym ABCDE:

A – asymmetry
B – irregular borders
C – color changes
D – diameter of more than ¼ inch
E – evolution (a new mole in a person over the age of 30 or a changing mole)

In some cases, Dr. Rodney may also remove a small tissue sample from suspicious moles to be tested for the presence of cancer.

If you have a non-cancerous mole that you want removed, Dr. Rodney performs a simple surgical procedure. She administers local anesthetic and uses a small scalpel to remove the mole from your skin. Your skin then heals over the following weeks while protected by a bandage and antibiotic ointment. Other mole removal techniques include cryotherapy and electrodesiccation. In cryotherapy, the mole is frozen with liquid nitrogen from a spray can. In electrodesiccation, the surface of the mole is lightly charred. In the following 2 weeks, the mole will form a scab which then falls off.

Removal is a simple solution for moles that are uncomfortable or cause cosmetic imperfections. For safe and effective mole removal in Columbia MD, contact Eternal Dermatology now. Call the office or book online today to discuss any moles that concern you.

There are many doctors that remove moles. Some moles are dangerous and should be removed for health reasons. These moles could be skin cancers or pre-cancerous lesions. For unsightly moles or age-spots that ruin your complexion, you may choose to have cosmetic mole removal done. Regardless of if you’re seeking mole removal in Maryland for medical or cosmetic reasons, you’re likely concerned about the appearance and risk of scarring and skin discoloration from the removal procedure.

For the expert mole removal doctor, choose our board-certified dermatologist. With years of training and experience in mole removal in all skin types and age groups, the experts at Eternal Dermatology can help you decide on the best way to safely and beautifully remove your unwanted moles.