Our Services / Moles

Moles services offered in Columbia, MD

If you have unusual or painful moles, Dermatology & Advanced Skin Care provides the diagnostic testing and treatments you need to protect your skin health. The board-certified dermatologists offer comprehensive skin evaluations to assess irregular moles and identify skin cancer in the earliest stage. The providers can also remove suspicious or painful moles during an in-office procedure and use advanced techniques to minimize your risk for scarring. Call the Columbia, Maryland, office today to schedule a mole evaluation or book a consultation online.

Moles Q & A

What are moles?

A mole (nevus) is a common skin growth that develops when clusters of melanocytes group together. Melanocytes are cells that produce pigments that give your skin its color.

In general, moles can be present at birth or develop in early childhood. Most people have between 10-40 moles that vary in shape, size, and color. The growths are usually uniform in appearance and can be flat or raised on the skin.

Irregularly shaped or large moles can be confused for an aggressive skin cancer known as melanoma. However, most are benign (noncancerous) but can become painful if they get caught on your clothing or jewelry.

Dermatology & Advanced Skin Care offers comprehensive care for bothersome moles in adults and adolescents. The board-certified dermatologists also provide thorough skin evaluations to ensure atypical moles are not cancerous.

What happens during a mole evaluation?

When you have moles, you should schedule preventive skin evaluations annually at Dermatology & Advanced Skin Care so the team can check each growth for changes from year to year.

If your provider suspects the mole is cancerous, they remove it during a minor, in-office procedure (biopsy) and send it to a lab for further evaluation. Your dermatologist reviews your results as soon as they’re available and discusses any treatments you might need if you have skin cancer.

You can also learn more about your options for mole removal if you have growths that get caught in your clothes or make you self-conscious about your appearance.

How are moles treated?

Mole removal is a minimally invasive procedure that the Dermatology & Advanced Skin Care team performs in-office.

Your provider uses a local anesthetic to numb the skin around the mole. They use a surgical tool to remove the mole and a portion of nearby skin tissue. They dress the wound to prevent infection and minimize your risk of visible scarring.

Be sure to keep the treatment area clean and dry while it heals. If any treated moles grow back, contact the office for further guidance. A mole can return if any cells were left behind during removal.

Call Dermatology & Advanced Skin Care today to schedule a mole evaluation or book an appointment online.