In pop culture, facial moles that appear in just the right place, like Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor or supermodel Cindy Crawford, have been deemed beauty marks. Formed when skin cells begin to cluster instead of spreading evenly, moles and beauty marks share the same genetic makeup, they are only labeled differently based on placement and aesthetic value. While celebrities of today are more likely to promote plastic surgery benefits over natural occurring beauty marks, moles are typically harmless and, in most cases, it is not necessary to have them removed. However, if you have a mole or moles that you find irritating or uncomfortable, have undergone a biopsy and tested positive for cancer, or simply think a blemish is making you feel anything but beautiful, THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology offers mole removal procedures with permanent solutions. 

Do moles grow back? Although highly unlikely, it is possible for a mole to return after it has been removed. Noncancerous moles have the same chance of regrowth as cancerous moles so there is no reason to be concerned right away if regrowth occurs. To prevent moles from growing back, it is important for your dermatologist to remove all the mole cells including those in deeper layers under the skin. There are 2 main types of mole removal, shave excision and surgical excision. Because a shave excision procedure cuts off the mole at the surface of the skin, shave excision moles are the ones that are more likely to grow back because deeper mole skin cells may have been left behind. In addition, patients should not try to remove moles at home but instead seek the expertise of a dermatologist who can perform the treatment safely and effectively. 

Signs that a mole should be evaluated by a doctor include moles that have an asymmetrical shape, irregular bordering around the mole, changes in color, larger than 6mm in diameter (the size of a pencil eraser), and a mole that continues to evolve by changing shape, size or color. In the event a mole is cancerous, a dermatologist may opt for Mohs surgery as your mole removal option especially for cosmetically sensitive areas like the face. Mohs surgery removes cancerous cells to eliminate skin cancer while also sparing healthy tissue and leaving minimal scarring. Mohs surgery has a very high cure rate of up to 99% for skin cancer that has not been treated before and up to 94% for a recurring skin cancer from a previous treatment.

If you are looking to have a mole removed for common cosmetic reasons or have concerns about skin cancer, THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology can help. For a convenient appointment time, call our office at 602-867-7546 or visit online at WEBSITE.