Take a look in the mirror. What do you see? Hair, skin, eyes,nose, mouth. All present and accounted for. What else do you see? Look closer. The chances are that somewhere on your face or neck, there’ll be a small brown dot lurking. In fact there may even be a few of them. Not small enough to constitute a freckle, we are talking a bit bigger than that. A small piece of pigmentation that remains defiantly fixed in its position.
If you have got a mole that is positioned prominently on your body, congratulations: you’re just like the rest of us. Did you know that the average person has 10 moles on their body? Count them if you can find them all. Others may have 40 or more. While the majority of these moles will remain tucked away out of sight for the most part, a select few insist on hogging the limelight, clinging to cheeks, foreheads, necklines and the backs of hands. Like, love or tolerate them, there is no shying away from such moles.
Mole Removal Options
For people whose moles are unsightly or unfortunately positioned, mole removal is the preferred option. But how exactly do you get rid of a mole?
Well, there are a few options. After numbing the area around the mole, a doctor can carefully shave it off. For larger moles, the entire mole can be surgically removed and the skin stitched together. Another option is radiosurgical mole removal, or even laser mole removal.
Whatever procedure you elect for, once that mole is gone, it is gone…right?
Not always. In rare cases, a mole can recur, in spite of having been removed. In such circumstances, consult your dermatologist to see if further treatment is necessary.
While aesthetic purposes would seem to be the obvious reason for choosing mole removal, there is another reason: health grounds. 10% of the population have at least one atypical mole; a ‘super mole’ that stands out on account of its size, colour and shape. Such moles have a higher risk of developing melanoma, or skin cancer. Just because you have an atypical mole on your body doesn’t mean you are destined to develop melanoma of course. Nevertheless, as a cautionary measure, some people will choose to have such moles removed. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately half of all cases of melanoma are the consequence of atypical moles.
Whatever your reasons for choosing to undergo mole removal, you can rest assured that the procedure is safe. Your dermatologist or cosmetic doctor will be able to advise you on the most appropriate form of treatment, be it laser, radiosurgical or some other method.
Moles, for the most part, may be small, but they are one of the features that differentiate us from our fellow humans. Love the moles you are born with, unless you really can’t bring yourself to view them that affectionately. That being the case, you are entitled to remove the moles you hate and love the rest.
One small word of advice always ensure that you have your moles removed by a professional specialist.