Removing moles and warts
Removal of moles and skin lesions with lab analysis of the sample, and cryotherapy for warts and keratoses. Always with a prior dermatology assessment.
Look first, remove after
No mole is removed without being assessed first. At the dermatology clinic the lesion is examined — with a dermatoscope where needed —, compared with your other moles, and a decision is made: watch it, remove it because it's bothersome, or remove it because it's suspicious. That order is what prevents both unnecessary procedures and late diagnoses.
Signs to book an appointment
- A mole that has changed in size, shape or colour over the last few months.
- Irregular edges, several colours within the same lesion, or clear asymmetry.
- Itching, bleeding, or a scab that won't heal.
- A new lesion that doesn't look like your others.
- Moles that rub against a bra strap, a belt or a razor.
How it's removed
Scar and aftercare
Every removal leaves a mark; the aim is to keep it as small as possible and in the right direction. Afterwards you need to keep the wound clean, have the stitches removed on the date given, and protect the scar from the sun for months, as that's what darkens it most. At the follow-up you're given the analysis result.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a mole needs to be removed?
The most important sign is change: that it grows, changes colour or shape, has irregular edges or several colours, itches, bleeds or forms a scab that does not heal. Those that rub against clothing or the razor are also assessed. The decision is made at the appointment after examining it, not from a photo.
Will it leave a scar?
Every removal leaves a mark; the aim is for it to be as small as possible and to lie in the right direction. What darkens it most is the sun, so the scar has to be protected for months. In superficial lesions, techniques that leave a more discreet mark are used.
Is cryotherapy suitable for moles?
No. Liquid nitrogen is used for warts and keratoses, not for moles: a pigmented lesion that needs to be studied has to be excised so it can be analysed. Freezing a mole destroys the tissue and with it any chance of knowing what it was.
Which moles can indicate cancer?
The ones that change. The ABCDE rule helps: Asymmetry, irregular Borders, uneven Colour, increasing Diameter and Evolution over weeks or months. Also one that itches, bleeds or forms a scab that will not heal, and the one that looks unlike all the others. With any of these signs, get it checked without delay.
Is it bad to have a mole removed?
No. It is a myth that touching a mole is dangerous: removing it with the right technique and analysing it is precisely what allows a safe diagnosis. What is inadvisable is removing it by cosmetic methods that destroy it without being able to study it, or doing so without a prior dermatological assessment.