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Almost all of us have moles. Some moles are unwanted. Only a minuscule percentage of those moles require removal for medical reasons, and when medical excision is necessary, it is important to act quickly. There are also cosmetic reasons to seek mole removal. In that case, you would want a doctor who combines advanced surgical skills with an eye for aesthetic detail. In both cases, the highly-trained plastic surgeons at Illuminate Plastic Surgery provide expert mole removal for patients in San Jose, Palo Alto, and throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
A mole is a cluster of skin cells that can appear anywhere on your body. Most people have anywhere between ten and 40 moles. They usually develop before age 20 and can be brown, black, skin tone, or bluish in color. Most are non-cancerous. Moles that suddenly appear after childhood are usually caused by a combination of genetics and sun damage. Changes in hormone levels, such as in pregnancy, can also contribute to mole development.
If a mole is bothering you for any reason, get it checked by a dermatologist. If you have a mole that has changed in color, size, or shape, schedule this appointment immediately. Be especially aware of any mole that has irregular borders or is larger than a pencil eraser.
At Illuminate in Palo Alto & San Jose mole removal can be performed for either medical or cosmetic reasons. If skin cancer is suspected, the mole must be removed and sent to a lab for analysis. Perhaps you have a mole that is causing you discomfort. Maybe you have a raised mole that frequently gets caught on your clothing or jewelry. Or you may simply not like the way a mole looks.
Your doctor will start by just taking a good look at your mole. If there’s reason to think it might not be normal, your doctor may take a tissue sample or remove it completely, or refer you to a dermatologist to do that. In either case, a sample of that biopsied mole tissue will be forwarded to a lab for further analysis. If cancer is diagnosed, the entire mole and an area around it must be removed to make sure the cancer does not spread.
Whether your motivation for mole removal is medical or cosmetic, San Jose & Palo Alto plastic surgeons Drs. Boudreault and Leader at Illuminate Plastic Surgery possess the training, experience, advanced surgical skills, and aesthetic touch needed to achieve superior and natural-looking outcomes. They are also excellent listeners.
All procedures carry risks, in this case including but not limited to infection, scarring, allergic reaction, recurrence, and excessive bleeding.
“Do-it-yourself” tips for home mole removal are not only unproven, but they are also often dangerous and could prove deadly. A mole could be melanoma. It can also lead to unsightly scarring. Mole removal in San Jose or Palo Alto should only be performed by a trusted medical professional.
Make a list of any changes you have noticed or any new symptoms you are experiencing. Also, provide a list of all medications you are taking. If you have had a melanoma or a mole removed in the past, tell your doctor the location of that lesion and the date it was removed. Finally, do not wear makeup to either your consultation or your procedure.
As noted earlier, surgical San Jose or Palo Alto mole removal can involve shaving or excision. The shaving technique uses a surgical blade to shave the mole off the surface of your skin. Excision goes deeper than shaving to remove the entire mole before stitching the skin back together. The excision method is required if there is even the slightest suspicion of cancer.
Be sure to diligently keep any and all follow-up appointments with your doctor, and be sure to immediately report any sign or symptom that gives you any concern.
When it comes to expert mole removal Palo Alto & San Jose plastic surgeons Dr. David Boudreault and Dr. Brittany Leader at Illuminate Plastic Surgery combine world-class talent and experience with care and compassion. They have a deep commitment to their patients and deliver exceptional results. Schedule your consultation today.
No, because your removal will be performed under local anesthesia.
Generally, no more than ten minutes per mole.
Yes, but it will fade and often become very subtle after one year.
If the mole is removed by shave excision, it can grow back. A mole removed by surgical excision is highly unlikely to recur.
If your procedure is performed for purely cosmetic reasons, your insurance will not pay. Removal for medical reasons may be covered.
A straight-forward excision in-clinic under local anesthetic costs approximately $1,250 total, which includes a silicone-based scar healing gel and all follow-up visits. Each additional excision can be added for $800.
At Illuminate we’re with you during every step of your journey toward greater self-confidence. Schedule a consultation with us today and let Illuminate’s expert team listen to your concerns and guide you through treatments and procedures to help you reach your individual goals. We look forward to seeing you and celebrating your renewed appearance and realized potential.
