Mole Removal in Vancouver
How do dermatologists treat moles?
Generally, most moles do not call for immediate treatment. However, a dermatologist will remove a mole that:
-Inconveniences a patient (rubs against clothing, etc)
-A patient finds unappealing.
-Could be skin cancer.
In most cases, a dermatologist can get rid of a mole during a one-time office visit. A few moles will require a second visit.
Dermatologists tend to use the procedures:
- Surgical excision: The dermatologist cuts out the entire mole and stitches the skin closed. If there is suspicion that the mole could contains cancerous cells, the mole will be sent to a lab for further investigation.
- Surgical shave: This is performed with a surgical blade to remove the mole.
Never try to shave off a mole at home; many dangerous outcomes can occur such as:
- If the mole contains skin cancer, some of the cancer cells can stay in the skin — and even spread.
- You can disfigure your skin, causing a scar or other reminder.
- You can cause an infection.
Skin Tag Removal
As skin tags are frequently innocuous, most patients have them removed for aesthetic reasons. Sometimes large ones, particularly in areas where they may rub against something may be removed because the area becomes habitually irritated. Some individuals may have a large skin tag eliminated from their face or under their arms in order to make shaving stress-free.
It is very common for skin tags to appear in groups. They may become stuck on jewelry, are shaved in error, and are agitated by clothing.
Methods of Removal
Cauterization
The skin tag is burned off using electrolysis (heat).
Cryosurgery
The skin tag is frozen off using a probe containing liquid nitrogen
Excision
The skin tag is removed with a scalpel.