Moles, or Nevi, are growths that develop when clusters of pigment-producing cells form on the skin. These growths arise from melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells responsible for producing the pigment that gives the skin its natural color. Nevi come in numerous shapes and sizes, usually appearing in early childhood and during the first twenty years of a person\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
Most nevi are benign, meaning they do not have a risk of causing cancer. It\u2019s important to talk to your dermatologist about any suspicious moles to be safe.<\/span><\/p>\n Even though they are unlikely to develop into skin cancer, some people opt to <\/span>remove benign moles<\/span><\/a> anyway. They can cause discomfort and irritation on some areas of the body. Benign moles usually meet the following criteria.<\/span><\/p>\n When should you be concerned? A nevus that is changing in size, shape, or color could be a precancerous mole, also called a <\/span>dysplastic nevus<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>melanoma skin cancer<\/span><\/a>. Precancerous moles generally meet the following criteria.<\/span><\/p>\n A Dysplastic Nevus is an atypical mole with irregular color, irregular borders and\/or asymmetry. Those who have dysplastic nevus should be especially careful to avoid sun exposure and tanning beds and visit their dermatologist for frequent checks.<\/span><\/p>\n A dysplastic nevus is at risk of developing into a <\/span>skin cancer<\/span><\/a> called malignant <\/span>melanoma<\/span>. Melanoma is dangerous because it can spread to tissues and additional body parts, including the lung, liver, and brain. The earlier it\u2019s removed, the more successful the treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n According to the <\/span>National Cancer Institute<\/span><\/a>, the risk of melanoma is about 10 times greater for those with more than 5 dysplastic nevi than for someone who has none.<\/span><\/p>\n The removal of a dysplastic or benign mole is performed in the office under local anesthesia. Your dermatologist will numb the area surrounding the mole and cut away the affected area. After the mole is removed, sutures may be placed in the skin to help the area heal. There are three primary methods for removing the mole:<\/span><\/p>\n This method involves using a small blade to shave off the mole from the surface of the skin. It’s a quick procedure and is often used for moles that are raised and above the skin surface. It typically leaves a small scar that heals on its own.<\/span><\/p>\n In this technique, a circular tool is used to remove a small, deep section of the mole and surrounding skin. It is usually for moles that go deeper into the skin. After removal, the hole is stitched up to heal.<\/span><\/p>\n A scalpel is used to cut out the mole along with some surrounding tissue. This method is typically for larger moles or those suspected of being cancerous. After removal, stitches are required to close the wound.<\/span><\/p>\n Advanced Dermatology has offices in <\/span>Lincolnshire<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Glencoe<\/span><\/a> and can assist you with all of your skin concerns, including mole removal. <\/span>Contact Advanced Dermatology<\/span><\/a> today to set up your consultation.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Moles, or Nevi, are growths that develop when clusters of pigment-producing cells form on the skin. These growths arise from melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells responsible for producing the pigment that gives the skin its natural color. Nevi come in numerous<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":10489,"menu_order":139,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"0","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"10526,10588,10530","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10528","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSigns of a Benign Mole<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Signs of a Precancerous Mole<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Risks of Dysplastic Nevus (or Melanoma Skin Cancer)<\/span><\/h2>\n
What to Expect During Mole Removal<\/span><\/h2>\n
Shave Biopsy<\/span><\/h3>\n
Punch Biopsy<\/span><\/h3>\n
Scalpel Removal<\/span><\/h3>\n