How the Nevus (mole) removal procedure is done.

Nevi(moles) are referred to as pigmented and non-pigmented benign growth of the skin containing nevus cells and are very common among the majority of adults. They come in different shapes: smooth, flat, elevated, pedunculated, hair or non-hair bearing. It is a common procedure done by dermatologists to remove the nevi for health as well as for esthetic purposes.

To begin with, each lesion needs to be identified as ominous or malignant presentation based on ABCDE scale.

“A” refers to asymmetry, “B” refers to border, “C” refers to colour, “D” refers to diameter, “E” refers to evolving.

Any changes with respect to ABCDE rules are considered evolving and; thus, suspicious that after the assessment by the Dermatologist may require a diagnostic biopsy.

The moles removal for the asethetic purpose can be done in several ways.

One of the most promising technique is radiofrequency surgery or radiosurgery.

The method of the radiosurgery is based on the physcial phenomenon of dissecting (cuting) the soft tissue like a skin with an energy of the radiowaves that are delivered to the tissue through a special electrode.

Prior to the removal, all lesions are anaesthetized with a local anestetic such lidocaine that makes it virtually painless.

The technique of lesion removal is described as “light and pressureless” while the tip of the electrode is moving with barely any resistance resulting in “melting” of the nevus. It’s very precise and allows to remove even layers of skin in a steps less than 1/10 of mm.

The required tissue is removed gently in steps.

The steps are repeated until the lesionn is completely removed.

After this surgical procedure, it is highly recommended to apply medical grade petrolatum or special silicone based dressing gel on the lesion for about a week. It will allow the affected skin to gain its epithelized properties of being smooth, pink, and dry compared to the original wound. The lesion will be pink with some gradual color change back to normal which will take several weeks on average. In patients with extremely sensitive and light skin, the lesion may remain pink for a couple of months. After the mole removal, a patient is scheduled for 8-week follow-up appointment for the post-surgery check-up.  

Another way to remove a mole is shav excision with a flexible blade.

The fird option is to excised the lesion with a scalpel and close with a stitches.

Centre for Medical and Surgical Dermatology offers mole removal procedures in a different ways that are individual for each patient. For more information, visit the following link:

Surgical Dermatology

To learn more about moles condition, visit the following links:

Mole

Melanocytic Mole