Jump to content

  • Set Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
Set Your LocationSet Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Book Appointment
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
    • Book Appointment
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Ask an Expert
  • Removal of Moles
Content

Ask An Expert

Removal of Moles

Catherine Lenz

Catherine Lenz, PA-C

Sutter Medical Foundation

Sutter Medical Group

Question:

Is there any way of removing moles other than surgery?

Answer:

Moles appear just about anywhere on the skin. Sometimes a mole may be in an area on the skin that gets irritated from clothing or a hairbrush, or even shaved with a razor. In some cases one may not like the appearance or location of a mole and want to have it removed - seems the day of the fashionable "beauty mark" mole is long gone.

The most common method is called "shave removal", which involves numbing the area and using a medical razor to shave the mole without effecting the normal contour of the skin. Another acceptable method involves cutting out the mole and stitching the area closed. Any mole removed should always be studied under a microscope to be sure that it is harmless.

Because the brown color of a mole is caused by melanocytes (a special cell that gives color to the skin), occasionally a mole may return after it has been removed. If this happens, it should be evaluated by a dermatologist. Therefore moles should never be "frozen" or "lasered" off.

There are many other types of skin "spots" that are not moles that can easily be treated without cutting them off. These include freckles or sun spots and brown wart-like growths on the skin. Lastly most moles cause no problems but if there is concern or any sign of change in a mole, it should be evaluated by a dermatologist.

Related Questions

Question
  • Non-Surgical Nose Reshaping
    I've contemplated having a nose job because of a bump on my nose. I read about a non-surgical procedure that uses fillers, like Restylane, to reshape the nose. Can you tell me more about this? Are there risks involved? How often would I need to do this?
  • Frequent Bruising Causes
    I bruise very easily - and have since I was a child. Why am I like a banana?
  • Second-Degree Burn Treatment
    I burned my hand on the oven yesterday, and now the blister has opened up. Is it best to leave the burn uncovered so that it can dry, or should I bandage it?
  • Varicose Vein Treatment
    I have some ugly and large varicose veins on my legs. I've read about laser treatments to remove them, but would like to know how many treatments it takes, does the treatment hurt, and will my insurance cover the procedure?
  • Laser Treatments for Skin Rejuvenation
    I've heard about laser skin treatments for collagen rejuvenation. Can you tell me how it works and how many treatments I'll need? Also, does the treatment hurt and what can I expect afterwards?

Back to Skin and Beauty

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

  • Contact Us
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Book Appointment
  • Request Medical Records
  • Donate Now
Sign in to My Health Online

Billing and Insurance

  • Pay a Bill
  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Estimate Costs
  • Medicare Advantage

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Community Benefit
  • Annual Report
  • News and Media

Our Team

  • For Employees
  • For Medical Professionals
  • For Vendors
  • For Volunteers

Careers

  • Jobs at Sutter
  • Physician Jobs
  • Graduate Medical Education

Copyright © 2023 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

  • ADA Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • LinkedIn Opens new window
  • YouTube Opens new window
  • Facebook Opens new window
  • Twitter Opens new window
  • Instagram Opens new window
  • Glassdoor Opens new window

Cookie Policy

We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences