Mole Removal

Shens Clinic > Mole Removal

INFORMATION

Moles are made up of cells called melanocytes. These are what produces colour (pigment) on the skin. Moles are melanocytes that are clustered together on a spot.

Scientifically, moles are named as melanocytic naevi. They are brownish in colour, although some may be darker or skin-coloured. They can both be flat or raised, smooth or rough and some even have hair growing on them. Moles are usually circular or oval with smooth edge.

Moles can change in number and appearance. Some fade away over time, often without realization as they also respond differently to hormonal changes. Changes to the mole happens in times of pregnancy where they may get slightly darker, puberty where they increase in count or aging, where they disappear from 40 to 50 years old onwards.

Types of moles:
Moles comes in various types and most commonly they are:

junctional melanocytic naevi; brown, round and flat
dermal melanocytic naevi; raised, pale and sometimes hairy
compound melanocytic naevi – raised above skin, light brown and sometimes hairy

How to eliminate moles?

Most requests on mole removals in Singapore, especially on the face, are due to aesthetic or cultural reasons whereas some are because of the increase in size which raises concerns of cancer or malignant melanoma.

The maximum number of moles is usually reached before age 30, so any new mole or change in the appearance of moles after age 30 should be brought to the attention of a doctor.

Methods of moles removal:

There are several methods of removing moles depending on the size, location and depth of the mole.

Method 1 - Surgical excision

Excision or electrocautery; a method used in removing the mole using a sharp knife.

Method 2 - non-surgical with laser

Fractional CO2 laser treatment; a non-surgical method using laser treatment to remove the mole.

What to expect for the procedure?

Pre-procedure:

It is recommended to consult our aesthetic doctor to identify the type of mole and the most suitable method to use in removing it.

During procedure:

Depending on the method used, the aesthetic doctor will advise on the use of any anaesthesia or numbing agent.

Post-procedure:

Depending on the method used, the aesthetic doctor will provide the necessary instructions with the necessary medications for a quick recovery. Downtime is mostly minimal where patients are usually able to go through their daily activity as per normal.