Moles can be among the most common types of skin blemishes that people have. Unfortunately, it can eventually be necessary to have a mole removed, but patients will often lack an appreciation for what a mole removal procedure will involve.
The answers to these common questions can help you understand mole removal.
How Will You Be Able To Tell If You Need To Have A Mole Removed?
While it is common for individuals to remove moles purely for cosmetic purposes, there can be medical reasons for removing moles as well. In particular, a person may find that they will need to have their moles removed in order to reduce their chances of developing cancer. Unfortunately, it can be extremely difficult for a person to determine on their own whether or not they will need to have a mole removed. For this reason, you should have any large or suspicious moles evaluated by a dermatologist to determine whether removal is necessary. This is particularly true if you have noticed any recent changes in the mole.
Should You Expect A Considerable Amount Of Pain From Having A Mole Removed?
The amount of pain that a patient can expect to experience during their mole removal will generally be fairly mild. This is due to the use of local anesthetics that will numb the mole so that it can be removed without causing excessive discomfort. As the anesthetic wears off, you may find that you will experience some tenderness in the hours after the mole is removed. However, the majority of this discomfort should pass fairly quickly, but you may experience some mild soreness for the first couple of days. A padded bandage may help to lessen the discomfort that you experience by shielding the incision site from bumps and other impacts.
How Long Will The Mole Removal Site Take To Heal?
The recovery process for mole removal will be determined by the size and depth of the mole. Fairly small moles may heal in a matter of days after being removed. However, individuals that have larger moles removed may need to have stitches applied for a week or two before the incision site will heal. During your initial consultation about having the mole removed, the doctor will be able to explain what your recovery should entail after the mole has been removed. In addition to a rough estimate as to the recovery time, this will also provide insight into the care that you will need to administer to the incision site. In particular, the steps for effectively cleaning it so that infections can be avoided.