Mole Removal

Moles are an incredibly common type of skin growth

In fact, the average person has between 10 and 40 moles on their body, most of which appear during childhood or adolescence but can occur at any time. Moles are typically brown or black in color and occur when pigment cells grow in a cluster instead of being spread throughout the skin. A vast majority of moles are benign, or noncancerous; however, they can become an aesthetic nuisance, especially if they are in a visible area or a region where you frequently shave.

If you are troubled by the appearance of a benign mole or several moles, Dr. Paulo Escobar of Escobar MD Facial Plastic Surgery can quickly help you to remove them in a straightforward and minimally-invasive outpatient procedure.

How is
mole removal performed?

The best surgical approach to removing your noncancerous mole or moles will be determined by the size, depth, type and location of the mole in question. The method may also be selected based on your desired cosmetic results. During your initial consultation, Dr. Paulo A. Escobar will carefully assess your medical history and skin growths to determine which of the following methods of mole removal will be best for you:

Surgical Excision

Before your mole excision procedure, Dr. Paulo A. Escobar will first clean your treatment area as well as apply a local anesthetic such as lidocaine to ensure your comfort. Once numbed, a scalpel will be used to cut along the border mole to remove it. After it has been excised, the skin will be sutured closed with inconspicuous stitches to avoid the possibility of scarring. Dr. Paulo A. Escobar will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to ensure you achieve the best possible results.

Surgical Shaving

Just as with mole removal with excision, Dr. Paulo A. Escobar will clean your treatment area and apply a local anesthetic to numb the skin. Once numbed, an electric scalpel powered by radiofrequency (RF) will be used to shave down the mole until it is even with the skin's surface. This method does not require stitches to close the wound. The RF energy from the device cauterizes the wound to stop any bleeding and burns away the surrounding tissue to reduce the chances of the mole growing back. Dr. Paulo A. Escobar will provide you with aftercare instructions to ensure your treated areas heal properly.

After your mole removal procedure

As a minimally-invasive outpatient procedure, there is no downtime needed after your mole removal treatment.

However, the time it takes for your treated area to heal after removing a mole will vary from person to person. Younger patients usually heal faster than older patients, and smaller incisions will recover more quickly than larger ones. Generally speaking, you can expect your mole removal scar to take between two to three weeks to heal.

Initial wound care will be essential during this time to ensure the area does not get infected and that you minimize the chance of scarring. It is also recommended that you avoid direct sun exposure and apply sun protection daily to prevent future moles from occurring. Your removed mole should not grow back, and you can expect to enjoy smooth, flawless skin for many years to come.

If you are self-conscious about the appearance of a pesky mole, contact the office of Escobar MD Facial Plastic Surgery today at +57 1 381 95 58 to schedule your consultation and find out if mole removal is right for you.