Mole Removal Scottsdale

Moles are very common, and many people have one or more. In some cases, the removal of a mole is performed because there’s concern about the mole having become cancerous. In other cases, moles are removed for cosmetic reasons. A mole that’s in a visible location may be bothersome, affecting confidence about one’s appearance.

How are moles removed?

In most cases, removing a mole is a very simple procedure. However, accomplishing this while also minimizing the scar that results can be a little more complicated. Moles can be removed surgically, or a laser may be used.

In simple terms, removing a mole only requires cutting the skin around the mole, removing the piece of skin containing the mole, and then sewing the remaining edges together. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and usually takes only a few minutes.

If there’s serious concern about the mole having become cancerous, a specialized procedure known as Mohs surgery may be used. This should be performed by a specialist in order to get a good result.

What about the scar?

The removal of any tissue from the body will usually leave a scar. However, whether this scar is flat and discreet, or irregular and more obvious, depends largely on the skill of the surgeon who removes the mole. To create a discreet scar, it’s necessary to have detailed knowledge of the tissue planes of the skin, so the scar can be positioned in a way that allows it to heal well.

If you have a mole on your face, then you’ll want to make sure that you have an expert perform the removal, in order to get the best possible cosmetic outcome. As a facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Caniglia is very highly qualified to do this.

What is the recovery like?

If stitches were used to close the wound, then those will be removed in one to two weeks. Once the wound has closed, it will take a few months for healing to occur. Scars will look red and raised at first, but will gradually fade and flatten if the scar is well cared for. After about a year, the scar will reach its final appearance (although some small changes may occur for another year after that).

To help ensure a good outcome, it’s important to keep the wound clean and dry during the initial phase of healing. Any infection could affect the final outcome of the scar. In addition, the scar should be diligently protected from the sun for at least the first six months, and preferably the first year. Cover it if possible, or use a good sunscreen any time you’ll be exposed to the sun. Sun exposure can lead to permanent darkening of the scar.

Do you need mole removal Scottsdale?

If you have a mole that’s bothering you, please contact our office to schedule an appointment for an evaluation. Especially if the mole is in a highly visible location such as the face, you’ll want to have the benefit of Dr. Caniglia’s expertise in order to get the best possible result from your mole removal. With years of training and experience in facial plastic surgery, he’s extremely well qualified. You can trust your face to Dr. Caniglia.