Moles
A mole, or nevus as it is known medically, is a skin growth that may be flat or protruding. They are composed of melanocytes (the pigment producing cells in the skin). They vary in color from pink flesh tones to dark brown or black. Although every individual has moles, the extent varies from many to only a few. If you're concerned about the health or appearance of your moles, our Worcester, Massachusetts practice can help.
Harmless or malignant, all moles deserve a second look and, if necessary, proper treatment. To learn more, request a consultation online or call us at 508-754-3823 in Worcester or 978-256-4151 in Chelmsford.
Evaluating Moles
Moles begin to grow in infancy. New ones can develop at any age. Once a mole appears, it usually stays for a very long time without becoming a medical problem. A growing or changing mole in a youngster is almost always harmless. However, if an adult's mole markedly changes in color or size, or bleeds, it can signify a problem and should be evaluated.
Sometimes the skin around a mole loses its color so the mole appears to be surrounded by a white ring. This is called a "halo nevus." With time, the mole generally disappears and after a longer period of time the white ring will disappear as well.
Malignant melanoma is a cancerous growth of melanocytes. It may just appear on normal skin or form from a preexisting mole. It is very dangerous and should be removed surgically as soon as possible. It seldom appears before the age of 20 years.
Treating Moles
Most moles are harmless and safe to clinically follow. However, treatment may be required under the following circumstances:
- A mole that is giving warning signs of possible malignancy: it has bled, has an unusual shape, is growing rapidly, or changing color noticeably.
- A mole that is irritated by your clothing, comb, or razor can be removed to prevent ongoing irritation.
- A mole that is unsightly can be removed for cosmetic reasons.
Treating a protruding mole is frequently a simple procedure. After numbing the skin, the doctor removes the projecting part of the mole with scissors or a scalpel. The doctor generally sends the removed portion to a laboratory for microscopic examination. The wound heals to leave a flat mole, but the color generally remains the same. As a rule, dark moles leave dark spots.
Complete destruction of a mole requires removing the full thickness of skin. The resulting scar is almost always longer than the mole was wide and may be more noticeable than the mole was. For that reason, complete removal of moles for cosmetic reasons depends on the location of the mole and the likely end result of excision. In some cases, leaving the mole untreated is the most prudent choice.
Moles sometimes grow coarse hair which may be safely removed by shaving or plucking. Permanent removal of the hair, which has roots deep within the skin, requires electrolysis or complete surgical excision of the mole.
