Moles
There are several different types of moles, each with their own appearance. They can be flat or raised, light-colored or dark, small or large in size, and contain hair or not. Most moles appear early in life, although some may appear later as an adult. Sun exposure may cause moles to increase in number or size and can cause moles to darken in color. Certain types of moles may naturally change over one's lifetime and become larger or smaller, darker or lighter, or more raised/elevated. Other types of changes may not be normal and may be a sign that a particular mole is abnormal, either precancerous or a skin cancer (melanoma). These changes are usually characterized by asymmetry, irregular borders, uneven colors, or any sudden changes. It is important to have such changes evaluated by a dermatologist immediately. Dr. Hearth can perform skin examinations to check for any concerning lesions.
Treatment
As a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Hearth has specialized training in mole removal. For the elective removal of moles, there is a variety of techniques available. The optimal technique is dependent upon the type of mole, size, location, etc. Some of these techniques include:
- Excision: shave (excision) if a mole is superficial in the skin, or excision with sutured closure if mole is deeper in skin.
- Cryosurgery (freezing with liquid nitrogen) of mole-like lesions, i.e. seborrheic keratosis
- Laser treatment
