How Painful Is Mole Removal

Why Have Moles Removed?

Many people want to remove a mole for cosmetic reasons, and there’s nothing wrong with this. If you don’t like the appearance or location of a mole, you have the freedom to have it removed from the surrounding skin.

However, while most moles are benign, some are capable of developing cancerous cells. Skin cancer, including melanoma, is a significant concern associated with moles. In these cases, mole removal is essential for your health and safety.

Whether you’re concerned about your moles or not, be sure that you schedule regular check-ups with your dermatologist.

Understanding Mole Removal Pain

There’s no definitive way to measure mole removal pain, as results will vary from person to person. However, there are a few factors that are known to impact the level of pain you may experience. These include:

• The type of molelarge or cancerous moles may require a more extensive removal process, leading to increased discomfort and a longer recovery time. Your surgeon will know if you have an atypical mole before the removal procedure is considered. 
•  Mole location: similar to a tattoo, sensitive areas such as the neck, face, or joints may be more sensitive during the removal process. 
• Number of moles removed: the more moles you need removed, the longer and more uncomfortable a procedure may become. This is especially true if moles are clustered around the same area. 
• Mole removal procedure:certain mole removal techniques are faster and less intrusive than others, resulting in less discomfort. 
• Your personal pain tolerance: Every person is different, and what one person finds painful while having a mole removed may not be painful to someone else.

The Effect of Different Mole Removal Procedures

Generally speaking, the less invasive the mole removal procedure, the less pain you can expect to experience. For cosmetic removals, you may be able to choose the procedure that works best for your budget and comfort level. However, more intrusive procedures may be necessary for cancerous moles, to ensure all harmful material is removed. Here’s what to expect from each procedure:

Laser Mole Removal

Pain Level: Minimal

With one of the most efficient processes, laser mole removal should be your first choice for minimal discomfort. The laser breaks down the unwanted pigments within the mole, causing it to fade over time. This process takes just a few minutes.

While patients may experience a mild stinging or burning sensation, the expected pain level is lower than other techniques. This makes laser mole removal a comfortable and affordable solution for anyone with cosmetic concern

Cryotherapy with Liquid Nitrogen

Pain Level: Minimal

Another minimally painful and low-risk procedure, cryotherapy using liquid nitrogen provides an effective treatment for smaller moles. Minimal discomfort is accomplished by freezing moles before their removal.

The application of liquid nitrogen may cause a cold or burning sensation, but this is generally well-tolerated. The surrounding skin may also experience redness and swelling, but these side effects are temporary and part of the natural healing process.

Shave Excision and Shave Biopsy

Pain Level: Low to Moderate

Suitable for smaller moles and non-cancerous moles, shave excision and shave biopsy are generally low-risk and aren’t known to cause much pain. More specifically, the removal process involves shaving off the mole or taking samples while leaving the surrounding skin intact. Being the less invasive of the excision procedures, these options are often chosen for cosmetic removals, and may not be suitable for abnormal moles associated with skin cancer.

Local anesthetics are administered to numb the area, ensuring that patients only feel slight pressure or pulling sensations during the process. When done by a skilled surgeon, there should be little to no pain during the procedure, with mild discomfort during the healing process.

Excision for Cancerous Moles

Pain Level: Moderate

When faced with a suspicious mole or cancerous mole, your surgeon may need to perform a more invasive excision. This process involves cutting out the entire mole along with a small margin of surrounding skin.

While local anesthesia is administered to numb the area, patients may experience some discomfort during the procedure. Due to the potential need for stitches, the healing process may also entail mild to moderate pain. However, the thorough removal of harmful skin cells and the importance of preventing recurrence outweigh the temporary discomfort.

The Importance of Local Anesthetic and Pain Management

Local anesthetic plays a key role in most mole removal techniques, ensuring minimal discomfort for patients undergoing procedures. Local anesthetics are administered before the procedure starts, allowing the treated area to become numb. The result is a feeling of mild pressure, devoid of any substantial pain or discomfort.

This process is especially important for shave excisions and shave biopsies, giving patients only slight pressure or pulling sensations while being treated. This significantly reduces the pain associated with the removal of cancerous and normal moles, regardless of the amount of skin cells that need to be removed.

Minimizing Scarring and Promoting Skin Healing

After local anesthesia wears off, it’s normal to feel mild to moderate pain. This pain may last a few days or weeks, depending on the amount of material removed, the location, and other factors that pay into the healing process.

Regardless, dermatologists strive to minimize scarring and promote optimal skin healing. Proper care is essential and includes steps like:

• Keep the treatment area clean
• Apply petroleum jelly
• Avoid rigorous activity
• Stay hydrated
• Follow your surgeon’s instructions
• Attend all subsequent appointments

Enjoy Painless Mole Removal Today

If you’re looking for a painless, permanent solution that will remove moles and restore your skin’s normal appearance, you’re in luck. Dr. Ardesh offers top-quality mole removal procedures, designed to make stubborn moles disappear without pain or discomfort. You can treat moles in any area of the body, or have multiple moles treated at once.

So, if you want to see incredible changes today, contact us at Schedule your consultation online, or visit our office 150 S Rodeo Dr Suite 260, Beverly Hills, CA 90212.