Evolving – Any change in size, shape, symptoms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nIf a mole exhibits any of these traits, it is considered atypical and removal is usually recommended. It is always better to be safe and have an unusual mole evaluated and taken off when necessary.<\/p>\n
Professional Mole Removal Techniques<\/h2>\nExcisional Surgery<\/h3>\n
Excisional surgery is considered the gold standard for mole removal. This technique involves numbing the area around the mole and then using a scalpel to cut out the entire mole along with a margin of normal-looking skin around it. The skin is then closed with stitches.<\/p>\n
Excisional surgery has the highest cure rate for suspicious moles and allows the entire mole to be examined under a microscope to check margins and determine if the mole was cancerous. Excisional surgery does leave a scar, so it may not be the best option for moles in cosmetically sensitive areas.<\/p>\n
Punch Biopsy<\/h3>\n
A punch biopsy uses a special surgical tool that looks like a tiny cookie cutter to remove a circular core of skin that contains the mole. After numbing the skin, the doctor uses the punch biopsy tool to cut down through the skin and remove a column of tissue with the mole at the bottom.<\/p>\n
This leaves an open hole in the skin that is closed with stitches. A punch biopsy removes the entire thickness of the mole so it can be sent for microscopic analysis, but it does not remove any extra margin around the mole. So if cancer cells are seen near the edges, more surgery may be needed.<\/p>\n
Because it takes out less tissue, a punch biopsy causes a little less scarring than excisional surgery.<\/p>\n
Shave Removal<\/h3>\n
Shave removal, also called shave biopsy or shave excision, is best for small moles that stand up above the surface of the skin. After numbing the skin, the doctor uses a sharp surgical blade to slice off the mole.<\/p>\n
The removed tissue is very thin since it shaves off only the part sticking up above the skin surface. This means the mole cannot be fully examined under the microscope to check margins and determine if it is cancerous.<\/p>\n
Shave removal is less invasive than other techniques so it usually leaves minimal scarring. But it may need to be repeated if some mole tissue is left behind or if the biopsy comes back positive for cancer cells.<\/p>\n
Laser Removal<\/h3>\n
Laser mole removal uses focused laser light to vaporize moles. A laser targets melanin, the brown pigment in moles, and heats it up until the cells burst. This destroys the mole with minimal damage to surrounding skin. Laser removal requires no cutting or sutures.<\/p>\n
It can be done quickly in a doctor’s office. Compared to surgical excision, laser removal results in less pain, bleeding, and scarring. But lasers cannot remove deep moles or provide tissue samples for biopsies. Most laser removals require 2-3 treatments spaced a few weeks apart.<\/p>\n
Laser removal is not recommended for suspected skin cancers since it destroys tissue needed for microscopic examination.<\/p>\n
Cryosurgery<\/h3>\n
Cryosurgery freezes moles with liquid nitrogen to destroy abnormal cells. The doctor swabs or sprays liquid nitrogen directly onto the mole and surrounding margin of skin. This causes the cells to crystalize and die. The dead tissue then blisters and crusts and eventually falls off.<\/p>\n
Cryotherapy mole removal does not require anesthesia or leave stitches. However, it can cause depigmentation or even damage in deeper layers of healthy skin. It is not recommended for suspected melanomas. Follow-up treatments are usually needed to fully remove all mole tissue.<\/p>\n
Cryosurgery may be preferred for benign flat moles in children or elderly patients since it is a simple procedure with minimal scarring.<\/p>\n
Aftercare Instructions Post Mole Removal<\/h2>\nKeep the Area Clean<\/h3>\n
Keeping the wound site clean after mole removal is crucial to prevent infection and ensure proper healing. Gently clean the area daily with mild soap and water, dabbing it dry with a clean towel. Avoid rubbing or scratching the sensitive skin.<\/p>\n
After a week, you can stop regular cleaning unless drainage, redness or swelling occurs. Covering it with sterile gauze helps protect from irritants. Check for signs of complications and contact your dermatologist if any arise.<\/p>\n
Use Antibiotic Ointment<\/h3>\n
Applying antibiotic ointment aids healing post-procedure. Polysporin or Bacitracin are common options. Gently spread a thin layer over the wound using a cotton swab, up to 3 times a day. This prevents bacterial infection and creates a protective barrier allowing new skin to form.<\/p>\n
Continue use for 1-2 weeks based on your practitioner’s advice. Stop if rashes, itching or redness develop. Allergic reactions can occasionally occur with topical antibiotics. Inform your dermatologist promptly about any issues.<\/p>\n
Apply Cold Compress to Reduce Swelling<\/h3>\n
It’s normal to experience some swelling, redness and bruising after mole removal. To minimize discomfort, use a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in cloth on the site for 10-15 minutes several times a day. The cold constricts blood vessels, reducing inflammation and pain signals.<\/p>\n
Don’t apply ice directly as it can damage tender skin. Discomfort typically peaks in the first 48 hours post-procedure then gradually subsides. If severe or persistent, contact your healthcare provider.<\/p>\n
Avoid Irritating the Area<\/h3>\n
Preventing trauma to the wound is vital for optimal healing after mole extraction. Wear loose-fitting clothing over the site and avoid restrictive bandages. Protect it from friction with bandaids or gauze when necessary. Don’t scratch, pick or peel scabs as this can cause scarring or infection.<\/p>\n
Avoid exposing the area to direct sun, harsh soaps or chemicals until fully healed. Follow activity restrictions from your practitioner, often involving avoiding heavy lifting, yardwork and rigorous exercise initially. Take care not to bump or traumatize the sensitive skin.<\/p>\n
Watch for Signs of Infection<\/h3>\n
Monitor for symptoms like increasing pain, redness, swelling, warmth or pus which may indicate a wound infection requiring prompt medical care. Other concerning signs include foul odor, blueish skin discoloration or spread of redness beyond the site. Fever can occur with a spreading skin infection.<\/p>\n
Contact your dermatologist immediately if you observe any of these issues starting 1-2 weeks post-procedure. Oral antibiotics or surgical drainage may be necessary to treat infected mole removal sites. Catching problems early is key to prevent complications.<\/p>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n
While it may be tempting to use nail clippers to remove a mole yourself, this can lead to significant complications like scarring, bleeding and infection. It’s critical to have any concerning or unwanted moles examined and removed properly by a dermatologist.<\/p>\n
Following your dermatologist’s instructions for aftercare can help ensure your removal site heals quickly and safely. With the right mole removal and aftercare, you can have clear skin without the risks of at-home methods.<\/p>\n
If you have any moles causing concern, schedule an appointment with your dermatologist. They can determine the best course of action for examination and safe removal.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Moles are extremely common, with most adults having between 10 to 40 moles. While moles are usually harmless, some changes like growth, color changes or itching can indicate skin cancer. This often leads people to want to remove moles at home. If you’re wondering if using nail clippers is an option, here’s a quick answer:…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2655,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":2,"label":"Nail Guide"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/cutting-off-a-mole-with-nail-clippers-1024x614.webp",1024,614,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Amanda Smith","author_link":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/author\/chris\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":2,"name":"Nail Guide","slug":"nail-guide","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":2,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":1279,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":2,"category_count":1279,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Nail Guide","category_nicename":"nail-guide","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/cutting-off-a-mole-with-nail-clippers.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/858"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=858"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/858\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2655"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=858"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=858"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vampy-varnish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=858"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}