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Moles are common skin growths that may not bother you at all, but if they cause pain or appear unusual, turn to the board-certified dermatologists at Skin Care Specialists with locations in Mesa, Tempe, and Scottsdale, Arizona. The team offers comprehensive skin evaluations to assess moles and provide early identification of skin cancer. With skilled care, you can also remove moles with minimal scarring. To book your consultation and achieve peace of mind regarding your moles, call the nearest office or book online today.
Moles Q&A
What are moles?
Moles, also known as nevi, are a familiar sight. The average person has 10-45 moles growing anywhere on their body, from the scalp down to the toes. Moles can be level with the surrounding skin or raised, similar in color to your other skin or a very different shade, and may fade away in time.
These common growths are actually small clusters of pigmented skin and are usually benign (noncancerous). However, you may decide to take steps to remove a mole if it causes discomfort by getting caught on your jewelry or clothing or disturbs your peace of mind.
What can I expect during my mole evaluation?
If you have a large number of moles, get a preventive exam every year and occasionally inspect them for changes. Follow this ABCDE guide to know when medical care may be needed:
- Asymmetry — the mole shape varies from one side to the other
- Border — the mole’s borders are irregular, scalloped, or notched
- Color changes — the mole has changed color, become multi-colored, or has an uneven color pattern
- Diameter — unexpected growth in moles larger than 1/4 inch (or 6mm)
- Evolving — the mole is changing in shape, color, size, or height
Also keep an eye out for new symptoms, such as bleeding or itchiness, and let your provider know promptly.
How will my mole be treated?
The Skin Care Specialists team performs minimally disruptive mole removal, giving you optimal aesthetic results. After numbing the area around the mole, your provider surgically removes the mole and then dresses the area to keep it clean and reduce your risk of scarring.
If your provider considers the growth suspicious, they send a sample to a lab to be evaluated and review the results with you as soon as testing is complete.
Once you return home, keep the area sanitized and dry while it heals. Some moles are stubborn; contact the nearest Skin Care Specialists office if any treated moles begin to grow back, and the team can offer guidance.
To schedule your mole evaluation and receive expert personalized care, reach out to Skin Care Specialists by phone or online today.