Mole Removal

A strategically placed mole is often seen or known as a beauty mark. Take the famous Cindy Crawford for example, her beauty mark mole perfectly placed just above her lips. But sometimes, moles are not beauty marks. Sometimes we consider a mole to be an eyesore if they are too big, positioned badly, or it causes some form of discomfort, be it physically or emotional discomfort.

What is Botox?

Botox, or botulinum toxin, is an injectable treatment that is primarily targeted to treat wrinkles, fine lines and creases on the face. It can also be used as a non-permanent facial contouring treatment to slim down your profile. Botox is more widely known as an effective anti-aging product for improving the appearance of your skin. Botox is able to treat signs of advanced aging as it promotes collagen production and skin elasticity. In Singapore, Botox is used to temporarily give patients a younger and tighter look.

What are Moles?

Moles, also known as nevi, are common skin growths that can occur anywhere on your skin or mucous membrane. Moles either occur alone or in clusters and they usually appear before we reach the age of 20. There are different types of moles, these are:

Common moles: a small growth on your skin with colour ranging from your normal skin tone to brown or black and with clean edges.
Congenital moles: moles that you were born with and are more likely to develop into melanomas (type of skin cancer) than moles that grow after you are born.
Dysplastic moles: hereditary, irregularly shaped, large moles. These moles have an uneven colour that is darker in the middle and lighter along the edges. Dysplastic moles have a higher chance of becoming cancerous than common moles.

How to identify Moles?

All moles look different but most of them have the following characteristics:

Shape: most moles are symmetrical and oval or round with distinctive edges.
Colour: moles come in a range of colours such as pink, red, tan, brown, and black.
Texture: moles may be wrinkled, smooth, raised, or flat and some may have hair growing from them.
Size: moles are usually small, approximately 6mm in diameter. Congenital and dysplastic moles tend to be bigger and might even cover part of the face or other parts of the body.
Location: moles can develop anywhere on the body.

What causes Moles?

Melanocytes or skin cells are usually evenly distributed throughout our skin, but in certain places, melanocytes start to grow in clusters resulting in moles.

Why are Moles removed?

Moles are usually removed for two main reasons, these are:

Atypical mole removal: dysplastic moles are removed so that tests can be conducted to determine if it is benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Cosmetic mole removal: sometimes the appearance or location of a mole is not aesthetically pleasing, and you may not feel comfortable with how it looks.

How will I know if my Mole is cancerous?

There are certain signs to look out for when checking if your mole is cancerous, these are:

A: asymmetrical. If your mole looks lopsided or uneven, it has a chance of being cancerous.
B: border. The edges or border of your mole should be well demarcated or defined. Uneven or fuzzy borders could be a sign that your mole is cancerous.
C: colour. If your mole has different colours or is varying in colour, it could be a sign of cancer.
D: diameter. If your mole is larger than 6mm in diameter, it could be cancerous.
E: evolving or enlarging. If your mole is growing larger, it could be cancerous.

If you notice any of your moles with the above symptoms, get it checked out.

What happens after Mole Removal in Singapore?

After your mole is removed, the area will be treated and must be kept moist and clean. You may be scheduled for a follow-up to check on how you are healing or for your doctor to share the results of your mole biopsy (atypical mole removal).

Benefits of Mole Removal in Singapore

Non-invasive
Short out-patient procedure
Able to determine if your mole is cancerous

Possible Complications of Mole Removal

Mole removals are low risk procedure, but there are some complications that may occur in a small number of individuals, these are:

Scarring
Bleeding
Recurring mole
Nerve damage
Infection

Frequently Asked Questions

Can moles grow back after removal?

There is a chance that your mole may grow back if the entire mole was not removed during the procedure.

Can I remove a mole by myself?

No, mole removal should not be attempted by an untrained individual. It can cause unnecessary pain, bleeding, and stands a high risk of infection. It can also cause your mole to grow back. Consult your doctor for advise.

Plastic Surgery

Aesthetics