When Is It Important to Get Mole Removal?

For some, moles are a defining characteristic and can be viewed as a beauty mark. However, not everyone has been graced with a defining beauty mark like the famous model Cindy Crawford. Instead, for most people, moles can be an unsightly nuisance, and sometimes even a health risk. At Westover Hills Dermatology in San Antonio, Texas, we offer mole removal services so that you can feel confident in your appearance and your health.

When Is It Important to Undergo Mole Removal?

There are both cosmetic and health reasons to consider mole removal, and they typically fall into one of three categories: the mole is unsightly and unwanted, the mole is uncomfortable and acts as a daily nuisance, or the mole poses a health risk.

Cosmetic Reasons to Remove a Mole

When You Have an Unsightly Mole

It’s no secret that moles can be unsightly, especially if they’re located somewhere prominent and visible, like the face, neck, or anywhere else easily seen. If you have an unsightly mole that makes you feel less attractive or less confident than you should, it is important to consider mole removal.

If a mole affects your confidence and self-worth, know that you don’t have to live with it anymore. You can have your unsightly mole removed and gain new confidence.

When You Have an Uncomfortable Mole

Sometimes you can have a mole that doesn’t bother you for aesthetic reasons but instead is just uncomfortable. Even if the mole isn’t visible, it can be difficult to live with, especially if it acts as a daily nuisance.

Such moles are often located in a spot that causes chaffing when rubbing against clothing or it gets caught on your clothes or jewelry. Consider removing your uncomfortable mole; there is no reason to live with something that makes you uncomfortable.

Health-Related Reasons to Remove a Mole

When Your Mole Is a Health Risk

While it is important to feel comfortable and confident, one of the most important reasons to consider mole removal is when your mole poses a health risk. Some moles are cancerous and when they meet certain criteria, can be evidence of melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer that can be treated but if not caught early, can be life-threatening.

When to Have Your Moles Examined for Removal

Moles give off certain warning signs that indicate that they should be examined for possible removal. Knowing what to look for is important so that you can take care of a mole that could be an indicator of melanoma and get it removed before it causes more issues.

Examining your moles is easy, yet if you come across one that you’re not sure about, we will examine them for you during your appointment and let you know whether or not they require removal.

Your Moles Fall Into One of the ABCDE Categories

An easy way to examine your moles is to follow the ABCDE rule. In doing so, you will check for asymmetry, you will examine the mole’s border, check its color, measure the diameter, and determine whether or not the mole is changing.

Asymmetry

Healthy moles should be symmetrical, meaning generally, they have a similar shape when you compare one side with the other. If you have an asymmetrical mole, one half of your mole will not mirror the other half in regards to consistency of shape.

Border

Healthy moles also have a definitive border, as if they were outlined with a pencil. The border edges of an unhealthy mole are blurred, sharp, or jagged in appearance. If your mole appears to have an irregular border, it may require an examination.

Color

The color of your mole is another telling sign as to whether it is healthy or unhealthy and may require removal. A healthy mole has even coloring throughout. It is the same color without much variance. An unhealthy mole, however, appears to be composed of several different colors. These colors include dark browns, tans, black, white, and gray. Noticeable discoloration may even exhibit shades of pink, blue, and red.

Diameter

As a general rule of thumb, a normal mole should be the size of the eraser on a number two pencil, or smaller. While there are some exceptions to this and some larger moles may be healthy moles, generally, those that are larger or begin to grow in size should be examined and considered for mole removal.

Evolving

If you have an existing mole that begins to change, watch it carefully and schedule an examination. An evolving mole will change over weeks and months. It will look different than it previously did, and its appearance will significantly depart from the rest of the moles on your body.

When You Develop a New Mole

Be sure to regularly examine your body and pay attention if you develop a new mole. If a noticeable mole appears on your skin suddenly, watch it and consider having it examined to check whether or not it could be harmful to your health.

When Your Existing Mole Exhibits Symptoms

If you have an existing mole that begins to exhibit certain symptoms you should schedule an immediate examination for mole removal. These symptoms include oozing fluid, bleeding, itching, sudden growth, or hardening.

Contact Us to Learn More

If you have a mole that you can’t stand looking at any longer, or it is bothersome, and you want it removed, we can help. If you’re unsure whether your mole is healthy or unhealthy, and you want peace of mind, we can also help you determine the status of any mole you’re concerned about so that you don’t have to worry needlessly. Contact us today at Westover Hills Dermatology in San Antonio, Texas to schedule your consultation for mole removal.