Mole Resection

Moles (nevi) are large accumulations of melanin in a very small area of the skin. Melanin is a dark pigment responsible for coloring the skin and hair, as well as protecting us from UV rays. The greater the presence of melanin, the darker the skin and hair, which means that people with dark complexions have higher concentrations of this pigment than those with light complexions. This does not mean that people with dark skin do not have moles, but rather that these spots on the skin are more evident in white people. They are called "moles" because in the past it was believed that the moon was responsible for its appearance, but today we know that these spots on the skin are the result of a process as natural as sweating.

Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found in the basal layer of the epidermis and the hair follicle. When excessive melanin production occurs at a single point it gives rise to the mole. Many people are born moles, while others appear during their childhood and adolescence. On average, all people have 10 to 40 moles all over their bodies, some are so small that they are difficult to see with the naked eye, but others are large, dark in color and even protrude from the skin. Some moles thicken over the years, but others disappear. Also, some moles may contain hair and others may not.

When Does a Mole Become Cancerous?

It can be said that moles, by nature, are benign skin tumors and do not represent any health problem, except for some people who find them unpleasant (especially if they are on the face and are large with hair) and prefer to eliminate them. . There are those who ask for the resection of moles that are located in areas of the body where there is rubbing with clothing or is hindered by some activity, such as the moles located on the fingers.

But in very rare cases, melanin production in a mole spirals out of control and the nevus begins to grow and affect the rest of the skin cells. In these cases, we are in the presence of a malignant tumor called melanoma.

Melanoma is one of the less common types of skin cancer, however, it is highly dangerous, as they are often confused with simple growing moles. Melanoma spreads rapidly through the skin and, in many cases, they are detected to an advanced degree. So, it is essential to learn to recognize and distinguish a simple mole from melanoma.

What causes this type of malignant tumor?

It depends on many factors: a family history of skin cancer, genetic predisposition, and frequent exposures to unprotected UV rays from the sun. Light-skinned people are more prone to burns from constant sun exposure and are more likely to develop skin cancer than dark-skinned people.

If you decide to remove any mole on your skin, you should go to a doctor who specializes in clinical dermatology, as it is the trained health professional to perform mole resection. It is vital that you do not remove any mole from the skin by yourself or let yourself be carried away by homemade procedures; It is also not recommended that someone other than a doctor do it. Only a dermatologist can identify the type of mole and evaluate the best way to remove it.

Below, I will present some types of mole resection for strictly informative purposes (under no circumstances should you do it on your own):

• Lunar Resection by Excision Surgery: consists of the complete removal of the mole through conventional surgery and the wound is closed with stitches. This procedure is the most frequent in cases of melanoma and flat moles.
• Lunar Resection by Puncture: This system is used to remove very small moles, in which a cylindrical device is used that cuts the mole and removes it from the skin. The wound heals quickly.
• Tangential Mole Resection: consists of shaving or tangentially slicing bulky moles through a very sharp scalpel, until it is reduced to the level of the skin. The removed tissue can be evaluated (biopsy) to rule out any abnormalities. In some cases, the area where the mole was may darken or pigment.
• Lunar Resection by Electrocoagulation: is the removal of the mole through a heat source, in this case an electric scalpel. The specialist doctor must be very careful not to leave marks or scars on the skin.
• Laser Mole Resection: This method is recommended for the removal of flat black or brown moles. The CO2 laser is used in this surgical procedure, since it is precise, fast and only requires local anesthesia. In addition, it promotes cell regeneration without leaving scars, that's why the CO2 laser is one of my favorite methods not only for the removal of moles, but also for the removal of warts, scars, blemishes and any other flaws in the skin.

All these mole resection systems are safe, but only the medical specialist in clinical dermatology should evaluate the type of mole and indicate the most convenient options. In melanoma cases, it is advisable not to use any method that involves the destruction of the tumor, since a biopsy of the removed tissue is necessary for a diagnosis of the disease.