The area will be measured, mapped, before the start of the removal. Your doctor will then begin by cleaning the mole area and applying a local anesthetic to ensure you do not feel anything during the cutting process. The needle will cause a slight pinch, but the area will be mostly numb.
There are a few different techniques that your doctor can use to remove your mole:
- Punch Biopsy – A special “punch” tool goes around the mole and is pushed down into the skin’s tissue to remove it.
- Shave Biopsy – A razor blade is used to shave off the mole.
- Scalpel Biopsy – A scalpel is used to cut and remove the mole with some surrounding skin and cuts deep into the subcutaneous fat layer of the skin. Stitches are placed to help the skin heal and reduce scarring. Stitches can be removed after 2-4 weeks, depending on your doctor’s recommendation and how deep the removal site is.
