How does mole removal work. What can you expect during the procedure. How should you care for your skin after mole removal. What are the potential risks and complications. How can you minimize scarring and promote proper healing.

Understanding Mole Removal: Reasons and Procedure

Mole removal is a common medical procedure performed for both health and cosmetic reasons. While many moles are benign, some may be precancerous or cancerous, necessitating their removal. Skin cancer, the most prevalent type of cancer in the United States, is most effectively treated when caught early. This fact underscores the importance of monitoring your skin and consulting a healthcare professional if you notice any suspicious changes.

The procedure for mole removal is typically straightforward and well-tolerated. Here’s what you can expect:

• The area around the mole is numbed with a local anesthetic
• The mole is surgically removed using one of several techniques
• Stitches may be applied, depending on the size and depth of the removal
• The removed tissue is sent to a pathologist for examination

Types of Mole Removal Procedures: Choosing the Right Approach

There are four main types of biopsy procedures used for mole removal, each suited to different situations:

1. Shave (tangential) biopsy
2. Punch biopsy
3. Excisional biopsy
4. Incisional biopsy

The choice of procedure depends on factors such as the size, location, and depth of the mole, as well as the suspected likelihood of malignancy. Your healthcare provider will discuss the most appropriate option for your specific case.

Shave Biopsy: A Surface-Level Approach

In a shave biopsy, the top layers of skin are removed using a medical razor blade. This technique is often used for raised moles or those suspected to be confined to the epidermis. After removal, the area may be cauterized to stop bleeding.

Punch Biopsy: Going Deeper

A punch biopsy uses a small, circular tool to remove a deeper sample of skin. This method is ideal for moles that may extend into the dermis. Stitches are usually required after this procedure.

Excisional and Incisional Biopsies: Comprehensive Removal

For moles suspected of extending into deeper layers of skin or potentially being cancerous, excisional or incisional biopsies are often employed. An excisional biopsy removes the entire mole, while an incisional biopsy removes only a portion for testing. Both procedures typically require stitches.

Immediate Post-Procedure Care: The First 48 Hours

The first two days following mole removal are crucial for proper healing. Here are some essential steps to follow:

• Keep the area covered for at least 24 to 48 hours
• Avoid touching or scratching the wound
• Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding wound care and dressing changes
• Take any prescribed medications as directed

Is it normal to experience some discomfort after mole removal? Yes, it’s common to feel some mild pain or discomfort at the removal site. Over-the-counter pain relievers can usually manage this effectively. However, if you experience severe pain or signs of infection, contact your healthcare provider promptly.

Long-Term Aftercare: Promoting Optimal Healing

Proper aftercare is essential for minimizing scarring and preventing complications. Here are some key guidelines to follow:

• Keep the wound clean by gently washing with mild soap and water
• Apply an antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly as directed by your doctor
• Protect the area from sun exposure
• Avoid strenuous activities that could strain the wound
• Attend all follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider

How long does it take for the wound to heal completely? The healing time can vary depending on the size and depth of the removal, as well as individual factors. Generally, superficial wounds may heal within 1-2 weeks, while deeper incisions may take several weeks to a month.

Managing Stitches: Care and Removal

If your mole removal required stitches, proper care is crucial for optimal healing and minimal scarring. Follow these guidelines:

• Keep the stitches dry for the first 24-48 hours
• Gently clean around the stitches as directed by your doctor
• Avoid submerging the area in water until the stitches are removed
• Do not pick at or remove the stitches yourself

When will the stitches be removed? The timing for stitch removal depends on the location and size of the wound. Typically, facial stitches are removed after 3-5 days, while stitches in other areas may stay in place for 7-14 days. Your doctor will provide specific instructions based on your case.

Potential Risks and Complications: What to Watch For

While mole removal is generally safe, it’s important to be aware of potential risks and complications. These may include:

• Infection
• Excessive bleeding
• Allergic reaction to anesthesia
• Scarring
• Nerve damage (rare)

How can you recognize signs of infection? Watch for increased redness, swelling, warmth, or discharge from the wound site. Fever or increasing pain may also indicate infection. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Scar Management: Minimizing Visible Marks

While some degree of scarring is inevitable with any surgical procedure, there are steps you can take to minimize its appearance:

• Keep the wound protected from sun exposure
• Use silicone-based scar treatments as recommended by your doctor
• Massage the scar gently once it has healed to promote collagen remodeling
• Consider professional treatments like laser therapy for significant scarring

When can you start using scar-minimizing treatments? It’s best to wait until the wound has fully healed and any stitches have been removed. This typically takes about 2-4 weeks, but your doctor can provide more specific guidance based on your individual case.

Follow-Up Care: Monitoring Your Skin Health

After mole removal, ongoing skin monitoring is crucial, especially if the mole was removed due to concerns about skin cancer. Here’s what you should do:

• Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments
• Perform regular self-examinations of your skin
• Use sun protection measures to prevent future skin damage
• Report any new or changing moles to your healthcare provider

How often should you have professional skin checks? If you have a history of atypical moles or skin cancer, your doctor may recommend annual or even more frequent skin examinations. For those without such history, an annual skin check is generally sufficient.

Remember, your skin’s health is an ongoing commitment. By following proper aftercare procedures and maintaining vigilant skin monitoring, you can ensure the best possible outcomes following mole removal and promote overall skin health for years to come.

What to Expect and Aftercare

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by

Frederick L. Durden, Jr, MD, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon & Microsurgical Reconstructive Surgeon.

This page was updated on October 20, 2022.

Upon noticing an abnormal mole or skin growth, your doctor may recommend its removal. For most small moles, this procedure is simple and well-tolerated. Still, it’s helpful to understand how the procedure works.

Why are mole removals done?

Mole removals are typically done for health reasons—if your care team suspects that a mole may be precancerous or cancerous.

Sometimes a mole may be removed for cosmetic reasons, especially if it’s on your face, neck or another noticeable area.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, with most cases falling into one of two types: melanoma or nonmelanoma.

Skin cancer is treated most effectively if caught early, which is why it’s crucial to speak up if you’re worried about a mole on your body.

Skin cancer is most commonly found in areas of the body frequently exposed to sunlight, such as the face, neck, hands and arms.

However, it’s important to remember that not all moles are cancerous. The only way to officially diagnose a cancerous mole is by undergoing a biopsy.

What to expect during the procedure

If your doctor has scheduled a mole removal procedure, you may receive instructions on how to prepare. Ask your care team any questions that you may have about the process and recovery time. Unless instructed otherwise, it’s fine to eat and drink before the procedure.

For most small mole removals, a biopsy is an outpatient procedure, meaning you’ll be able to go home after it’s over.

• Typically, your doctor numbs the skin first with a local anesthetic, which is injected into the skin with a needle.
• Your doctor then surgically removes the mole.
• Stitches may be required after, with your doctor providing instructions for how to care for the stitches and when they’ll need to be removed.

Due to the use of a numbing anesthetic, the pain during the procedure is often minimal—you may feel some pressure and temporary discomfort.

What to expect after the procedure

There are four common types of biopsy procedures used, with your doctor then sending the tissue sample to a pathologist for testing. There, it’s examined under a microscope for any cancer cells or abnormal cells.

The four types of biopsies are:

Shave (tangential) biopsy—The doctor uses a medical razor blade to shave off the top layers of the skin, removing the skin cells. To stop any bleeding, the doctor will apply an ointment or cauterize the wound using a gentle electrical current.

Punch biopsy—The doctor uses a tiny round tool, similar to a cookie-cutter, to puncture a rounded area of skin and remove a deeper sample of skin than with the shave biopsy. The skin is likely to require stitches after the procedure.

Excisional and incisional biopsies—If a mole or tumor is thought to have grown into deeper layers of skin tissue, the doctor may perform an excisional or incisional biopsy. During an excisional biopsy, the entire tumor is surgically removed with a surgical knife. For an incisional biopsy, only a portion of the tumor is removed. Afterward, stitches are applied.

Risks, complications and aftercare

A mole removal is a minor surgical procedure that is generally well-tolerated. However, with any surgical procedure, there are risks. Scarring is always possible after a mole removal. There is also a risk of infection, so watch for:

• Redness
• Pain
• Swelling

Following your doctor’s instructions is the best way to avoid complications. If you have stitches, they’ll play an important role in helping your skin recover. Make sure to treat them with care:

• Keep the area covered for at least 24 to 48 hours after the procedure.
• Gently wash the area with soap and water.
• Keep the wound site clean, and return to your doctor for follow-up appointments as scheduled.

Even without stitches, some aftercare is important to prevent scarring or infection. Wounds heal from the inside out toward the surface and take time to heal.

• You may be asked to keep a dressing over the wound and keep it moist with petroleum jelly or another ointment, as directed.
• Avoid using cleansers, alcohol-based products or peroxides, soaps or other harsh chemicals on the open wound.

Skin lesion removal-aftercare Information | Mount Sinai

Shave excision – skin aftercare; Excision of skin lesions – benign aftercare; Skin lesion removal – benign aftercare; Cryosurgery – skin aftercare; BCC – removal aftercare; Basal cell cancer – removal aftercare; Actinic keratosis – removal aftercare; Wart -removal aftercare; Squamous cell-removal aftercare; Mole – removal aftercare; Nevus – removal aftercare; Nevi – removal aftercare; Scissor excision aftercare; Skin tag removal aftercare; Mole removal aftercare; Skin cancer removal aftercare; Birthmark removal aftercare; Molluscum contagiosum – removal aftercare; Electrodesiccation – skin lesion removal aftercare

How to Care for Stitches

Stitches are special threads that are sewn through the skin at an injury site to bring the edges of a wound together. Care for your stitches and wound as follows:

• Keep the area covered for the first 24 to 48 hours after stitches have been placed.
• After 24 to 48 hours, gently wash the site with cool water and soap. Pat dry the site with a clean paper towel.
• Your health care provider may recommend the application of petroleum jelly or an antibiotic ointment on the wound.
• If there was a bandage over the stitches, replace it with a new clean bandage.
• Keep the site clean and dry by washing it 1 to 2 times daily.
• Your provider should tell you when to come back to get the stitches removed. If not, contact your provider.

How to Care for an Open Wound

If your provider does not close your wound again with sutures, you need to care for it at home. The wound will heal from the bottom up to the top.

You may be asked to keep a dressing over the wound, or your provider may suggest leaving the wound open to air.

Keep the site clean and dry by washing it 1 to 2 times a day. You will want to prevent a crust from forming or being pulled off. To do this:

• Your provider may suggest using petroleum jelly or an antibiotic ointment on the wound.
• If there is a dressing and it sticks to the wound, wet it and try again, unless your provider instructed you to pull it off dry.

Do not use skin cleansers, alcohol, peroxide, iodine, or soap with antibacterial chemicals. These can damage the wound tissue and slow healing.

After Cryotherapy

The treated area may look red afterwards. A blister will often form within a few hours. It may appear clear or have a red or purple color.

You may have a little pain for up to 3 days.

Most of the time, no special care is needed during healing. The area should be washed gently once or twice a day and kept clean. A bandage or dressing should only be needed if the area rubs against clothes or may be easily injured.

A scab forms and will usually peel away on its own within 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the area treated. Do not pick the scab off.

Important Tips

The following tips may help:

• Prevent the wound from re-opening by keeping strenuous activity to a minimum.
• Make sure your hands are clean when you care for the wound.
• If the wound is on your scalp, it is OK to shampoo and wash. Be gentle and avoid a lot of exposure to water.
• Take proper care of your wound to prevent further scarring.
• You can take pain medicine, such as acetaminophen, as directed for pain at the wound site. Ask your provider about other pain medicines (such as aspirin or ibuprofen) to make sure they will not cause bleeding.
• Follow-up with your provider to make sure the wound is healing properly.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your provider right away if:

• There is any redness, pain, or yellow pus around the injury. This could mean there is an infection.
• There is bleeding at the injury site that will not stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure.
• You have a fever greater than 100°F (37.8°C).
• There is pain at the site that will not go away, even after taking pain medicine.
• The wound has split open.
• Your stitches or staples have come out too soon.

After full healing has taken place, call your provider if the skin lesion does not appear to be gone.

Addison P. Plastic surgery including common skin and subcutaneous lesions. In: Garden OJ, Parks RW, eds. Principles and Practice of Surgery. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 18.

Dinulos JGH. Dermatologic surgical procedures. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif’s Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 27.

Newell KA. Wound closure. In: Richard Dehn R, Asprey D, eds. Essential Clinical Procedures. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 32.

Last reviewed on: 5/31/2022

Reviewed by: Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Proper care after laser mole removal

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Laser mole removal is one of the safest ways to get rid of a nevus. The whole procedure is carried out according to a clearly defined algorithm. You can avoid complications and unforeseen consequences if you follow the doctor’s recommendations for the next two weeks.

How does the healing process go

• 3-4 hours after the removal of the mole, the wound is covered with a dark dense crust. And after a few hours, the place around swells and turns red. This is an absolutely normal reaction of the body. The entire healing process lasts from 14 days to a month.
• First week. The scab that appeared at the site of the birthmark must not be cut off. It has a protective function: to protect the wound from infection and allow new tissues to grow. The wound is protected from mechanical damage, friction with clothes, bath washcloths, combing. Also, do not use cosmetic creams.

Frequently asked questions: Can a scar or scar appear on the site of a removed mole? Such a nuisance can happen if the protective scab is torn off the wound surface. Therefore, doctors strongly recommend protecting the wound from outside interference.

• Second week. On about 7-10 days, the dry crust disappears by itself. Instead, it remains a pale pink skin. It must not be exposed to sunlight. If the mole was on the face, then use sunscreen with SPF 50. Otherwise, unwanted pigmentation may occur.
• Next two weeks. Usually, by the 20th day, the site of the removed mole is overgrown with full-fledged healthy skin. A slight itching may occur at the site of the wound, but special skin care after getting rid of the birthmark is no longer required. A month after the operation, the scar from the birthmark is smoothed out, and after 2 months only an inconspicuous microscar remains.

How to care for a wound after removing a mole

Sometimes a doctor will prescribe a treatment of the scab with disinfectants or an ointment with an antimicrobial effect. The most popular care products after mole removal are:

• weak potassium permanganate solution. It dries the crust and has an antiseptic effect;
• spirit solution of brilliant green or brilliant green. Also a good antiseptic.

The rest of the usual wound care after mole removal is to observe the damaged area. The signal about the wrong healing process will be:

• purulent discharge;
• severe itching, soaking;
• prolonged bleeding;
• elevated body temperature;
• noticeable swelling of the skin for several days.

If you experience these symptoms, contact your doctor.

What does care after removal of a mole on the face involve? You can not use healing ointments, creams, gels without the consent of your doctor.

What are the restrictions after the procedure? Alcoholic drinks dilate blood vessels, increasing the likelihood of bleeding.

If you follow the simple rules of wound care after removing a mole, recovery will be quick and painless.

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Skin care after laser removal of a mole

A mole is a pigmented formation on the skin that is benign. Often such a nevus can interfere or attract too much attention to itself. A nevus can be congenital or acquired, and its hue is brownish, reddish, purple, or dark. A mole appears due to an excessive accumulation of pigment cells that are located between the dermis and epidermis.
Removal of a mole is often performed if its shape and size has changed, if the neoplasm is often injured, causing psychological discomfort. One of the most popular methods for removing a mole with a short rehabilitation period is the laser method. Caring for a mole after laser removal is simple, the effect is local.
Indications for disposal:

• Education looks unaesthetic;
• The size of education has changed;
• There was discomfort in the field of education;
• Mole is constantly injured.

How to care for a wound after removing a mole

In order for the skin to heal faster, you need to follow the recommendations after removing moles on the face and other parts of the body. After removal, a crust appears at the site of the mole – it cannot be torn off and injured, it peels off on its own in 1-2 weeks. The crust after laser removal of a mole performs a protective function against infection.
On the recommendation of a doctor, you can smear the site of removal of the mole with healing ointments and antibiotic creams. Avoid contact with water, do not steam the treatment area. If you tear off the crust ahead of time, there will be a risk of scarring.
After removing the mole with a laser, the crust disappears on its own, after which pinkish skin forms in its place. It must be protected from sunlight. It is advisable to use sun protection ointments to avoid hyperpigmentation.
How the site of removal of moles with a laser will heal depends on the patient’s compliance with the doctor’s recommendations. In addition, the quality of the operation affects the result. To eliminate a nevus, contact our specialists at the Medial clinic, which has been specializing in such operations for almost 20 years.

Restrictions after mole removal

Before performing the procedure, the doctor examines the nevus using a dermatoscope. Removal with a laser is carried out quickly and painlessly, in about 10-30 minutes, depending on the size of the formation.
Restriction after removal of moles is a visit to the pool, solarium or beach to avoid infection and hyperpigmentation. You can treat moles after laser removal with antiseptics, after the crust falls off, you can use sunscreens.
What not to do after removing moles:

• Sunbathe in a solarium or in the open sun;
• Drink alcohol after removing a mole;
• Apply cosmetics to an unhealed wound;
• Rub the place of removal and peel off the crust.

The procedure for removing a nevus practically does not affect the usual way of life, it is not required to wear a bandage.
If all the recommendations after removing the mole with a laser are followed, scars usually do not remain. Procedures can be performed at any time of the year, but it is advisable to do this in autumn or winter. After removing the mole, you can go to the pool when the crust falls off and skin appears in its place.

Possible consequences

If the procedure is performed incorrectly, or the recommendations on how to care for the wound after removing the mole are not followed, complications may develop. These include incomplete removal of the nevus, infection and scarring. Scars can form due to the characteristics of the body, as well as if the crust was torn off prematurely.
Removal of nevi with a laser is safe. However, there is a risk of incomplete elimination of a new formation, then some of the cells remain in the skin, and the mole appears again. To avoid such consequences, you need to contact only experienced doctors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many patients are interested in when it is possible to sunbathe after removing a mole with a laser, whether it is possible to play sports after removing a mole, what restrictions should be observed. It is important to clarify the features of care before performing the operation in order to reduce the risk of complications.
Can I sunbathe after mole removal?
After performing the manipulation, you should not sunbathe for 3-4 weeks. Ignoring this recommendation can lead to the development of hyperpigmentation, the appearance of a white spot at the site of removal. Once the scab has fallen off, new skin should be protected from the sun with a high SPF.
If you remove the crust ahead of time, a scar may appear, which will differ in color. In this regard, it is not recommended to visit the beaches or swim in the pool until the wound is completely healed and the pinkish spot disappears after the peel is removed.

Can I use cosmetics after the procedure?
Do not use decorative cosmetics on the area that has been treated with a laser. This can lead to infection, premature rejection of the crust. The place can only be treated with antiseptics and healing ointments, which the doctor advised.
You should not wipe the skin of the face or body where the procedure was performed with alcohol, apply scrubs or acids, alkaline compounds, depilatory creams and other care products. This can lead to complications that will then be difficult to eliminate, increasing the risk of scarring.

Can moles be removed during menstruation?
There is no prohibition on removing a mole during menstruation, but it is recommended to postpone this procedure if you feel unwell. During menstruation, sensitivity increases, discomfort may occur during exposure. The period of menstruation does not affect the result after removal.
There are also no restrictions on the number of moles removed, since the specialist at the reception can give the final recommendations. If you want to remove a mole on the body in the intimate area, you must first consult with your doctor about the appropriateness of this procedure and the urgency of implementation.

Can I play sports after removing a mole?
In the first 2 weeks after the removal of the mole, it is not recommended to play sports.