Mole Removal in South Africa

Moles may appear naturally without any triggering. Exposure to the sun may also cause the development of certain types of moles called dysplastic or atypical moles. Moles may also be spread hereditarily but in rare cases.

Moles on children's skin are not a cause for alarm. Most of these moles appear during puberty and therefore it is normal for children to have multiple of them. Moles can either lighten or darken.

Mole removal procedures include:

• Shave removal: this method involves scraping off protruded moles from the skin using the local anesthetic. Scrapping is done by use of a surgical blade or scalpel. This method of mole removal is the simplest and is pain-free. A pink scar is left on the skin but fades over time.
• Laser removal: laser light energy that breaks down the mole is focused on small emerging moles on the skin
• Excision removal: Excision refers to the total elimination of the mole from the skin through a minor surgical procedure. The process involves local anesthetic and a scar will be left but fades over time.

If any of the following happens to your mole, then you need to seek medical attention for its removal.

• The mole develops a rough edge
• Mole becomes itchy and bleeding starts.
• Inflammation of the mole
• The mole protrudes and makes you uncomfortable
• You do not like the moles on your skin
• Mole changes color, shape or size

• A skin cancer called melanoma can emerge from or around an existing mole
• Changes in size, shape or color of a mole can be the first sign of melanoma
• If diagnosed at an early stage, melanoma is curable
• Regular checking of your skin by a dermatologist is crucial in early detection of melanoma

Common moles are non-carcinogenic but in rare cases; they can grow and become cancerous. These cancerous condition developed by moles is referred to as melanoma. Melanoma is an advanced type of skin cancer that is very lethal. It usually appears as a normal mole that develops either newly or from an existing mole. The first sign of a cancerous tumor is bleeding. Treatment of a cancerous mole is through surgery. Early detection of the cancer is easier to treat than that detected at a later stage. Follow up clinics are advisable after the elimination of the tumors.

• If your body is affected by multiple moles, it is wise to avoid direct exposure to the sun.
• It is not entirely possible to prevent this skin cancer. However, the following recommendations may help you reduce the chance of cancerous moles developing:
• During strong sun periods, stay in a shelter away from direct sun
• Cover yourself with clothes and wear sunglasses
• The use of sunbeds and lampshades is highly cautioned since they emit ultraviolet rays
• Use sunscreen lotions regularly especially after swimming