What Are the Benefits of Mole Removal?

Removing a mole can improve skin clarity and smoothness, especially if the mole is in a highly visible area. It can also prevent irritation or discomfort caused by moles that frequently rub against clothing or accessories. From a medical standpoint, removing a mole allows for biopsy testing, which can help detect or rule out potential skin conditions, including melanoma.

Is Mole Removal Painful?

Patients typically feel a slight pinch from the anesthetic injection, but after that, the procedure itself is painless. Some techniques, like shave excision or laser removal, involve very little discomfort, while deeper surgical excisions may cause minor soreness or tightness as the area heals. Post-procedure, patients might experience mild redness, swelling, or sensitivity, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and proper wound care. Most discomfort fades within a few days, and any residual tenderness resolves as the skin fully heals.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

For most patients, removing a mole completely requires only one appointment. The procedure is typically quick, lasting about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the mole’s size and location. If the mole is large, deep, or requires a more complex excision, a follow-up appointment may be needed for stitch removal or scar assessment. In rare cases, a second treatment may be recommended if the mole regrows or if additional cosmetic refinements are desired.

How Long Until I See Results?

The results of mole removal are immediate, as the mole is physically removed during the procedure. However, the healing process varies depending on the size and depth of the mole and the removal technique used. Methods like shave excision or laser removal typically heal within one to two weeks, while surgical excision may take a few weeks for the incision to close fully. Final results, including scar maturation and complete healing, can take a few months, but scars often become barely noticeable with proper aftercare.

Can I Combine Mole Removal with Other Procedures?

Mole removal can easily be combined with other cosmetic or medical skin treatments, such as microneedling , laser resurfacing , or Morpheus8 , to enhance skin texture and tone. If you’re considering multiple procedures, Dr. Landford will assess your skin and recommend the best combination of treatments for your goals. Combining procedures can also help streamline recovery time, allowing you to achieve smoother, healthier skin with minimal downtime.

Mole Removal

In Washington D.C. &. Maryland

Mole removal is a safe and effective procedure for eliminating unwanted or suspicious moles for cosmetic or medical reasons. At Landford Plastic Surgery, Dr. Wilmina Landford provides expert mole removal with precision and minimal scarring for patients in and around Washington, D.C., and Maryland.

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What is Mole Removal?

Mole removal is a minor procedure that eliminates moles that may be bothersome, unattractive, or medically concerning, with or without surgery. Moles can be removed for cosmetic reasons, to prevent irritation from clothing or shaving, or due to a recommendation from a dermatologist. The procedure varies based on the size, depth, and type of mole, with options ranging from simple shaving techniques to complete excision with sutures. In some cases, the removed mole is sent for a biopsy to check for abnormal or cancerous cells.

Who is a Good Candidate for Mole Removal?

Good candidates for mole removal around Washington D.C. and Maryland include individuals who have moles that are raised, irregular in shape, changing in appearance, or located in areas prone to irritation. Those seeking to remove a mole for cosmetic reasons, such as improving skin smoothness or facial aesthetics, can also benefit from this procedure. If a mole has recently grown, darkened, or developed an uneven border, removal may be recommended as a precautionary measure to rule out potential skin concerns.

How Much Does Mole Removal cost in Washington, D.C., and Maryland?

The cost of Mole Removal in Washington D.C. and Maryland depends on several factors, including the size, location, and method of removal, but can range anywhere from $150 to $1600 or more. Simple shave excisions often cost less than full surgical excisions, which may require sutures and pathology testing. Additional costs may apply if multiple moles are removed in one session or if a biopsy is necessary. Through a consultation, Dr. Landford can evaluate your needs and provide a cost estimate and information on potential insurance coverage for medically necessary removals

What Should I Expect During a Consultation for Mole Removal?

During your consultation, Dr. Landford will conduct a thorough skin evaluation to assess your mole’s characteristics and discuss your goals. If the mole shows any concerning features, a biopsy may be recommended. She will explain the different removal techniques, including shave excision, surgical excision, and laser removal, and determine the best method for your specific case. And lastly, you’ll receive information on potential scarring, recovery time, and aftercare instructions.

How Do I Prepare for Mole Removal?

We want you to have a pleasant experience that produces optimal results, so you should follow these tips before receiving your Mole Removal:

- - Avoid excessive sun exposure
  - Stop certain medications if advised
  - Keep the treatment area clean

Dr. Landford may recommend pausing blood-thinning medications, aspirin, or certain supplements before your procedure to reduce the risk of bruising and bleeding. If your mole is in an area that is frequently shaved, it’s best to avoid shaving for a few days before the procedure to prevent irritation. Arriving with clean, makeup-free skin can also help reduce the risk of infection for facial mole removals.

Mole Removal Risks & Safety

Mole removal is a safe and routine procedure, though there can be some potential risks with all medical treatments. The most common concerns include temporary redness, swelling, mild scarring, or minor discomfort at the removal site, though in rare cases, there may be infection, delayed healing, or pigment changes in the treated area. If you have any concerns about healing or scarring, Dr. Landford will discuss steps to ensure the best and safest results.

What Are the Steps of Mole Removal?

First, the area is cleansed, marked for precision, and numbed with a local anesthetic. Then, depending on the mole, removal is performed using either surgical excision, shave excision, laser therapy, or cryotherapy. For excision-based techniques, stitches may be placed to aid with healing, while non-surgical methods typically require only a bandage. After the procedure, Dr. Landford provides detailed aftercare instructions, including how to keep the area clean, minimize scarring, and monitor healing. Depending on the removal method used, most patients experience a smooth recovery with little to no downtime.

Surgical Techniques for Mole Removal

Mole removal can be performed using different surgical techniques, depending on the mole’s size, location, and depth. Some examples include:

Shave Excision

Best for raised moles that do not extend deep into the skin. A scalpel carefully shaves the mole down to skin level, leaving a smooth surface with minimal scarring.

Surgical Excision

For deeper or larger moles, surgical excision involves cutting out the entire mole along with a small margin of surrounding tissue. This method may require stitches and results in a slightly longer healing time, but it ensures complete removal.

Laser Removal

For small, non-cancerous moles, laser treatments can be used to break down pigment cells without cutting the skin. This technique is typically recommended for cosmetic concerns rather than medical reasons.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy involves freezing the mole with liquid nitrogen, causing it to scab and fall off naturally. It is most effective for small, benign moles and requires little to no downtime.

Where Are the Incisions and Scars for Mole Removal?

The placement of incisions and potential scarring depend on the mole removal technique used. Shave excision and laser removal usually leave little to no visible scarring, as they do not require stitches, but surgical excision, which removes deeper moles, may leave a small, fine-line scar that fades over time. Dr. Landford uses specific techniques to minimize scarring, and post-procedure care, such as keeping the area moisturized, avoiding sun exposure, and using scar treatments, can further reduce the appearance of any marks.

Mole Removal Recovery

With most forms of mole removal, the recovery is generally easy, with almost no discomfort involved. Some individuals might experience some mild redness, swelling, or scabbing, but this usually resolves within a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the technique used. If stitches are placed, they are removed within 7–14 days, while non-surgical methods heal faster. It’s essential to keep the area clean, avoid picking at scabs, and apply any prescribed ointment to promote healing. Sun protection is especially important, as UV exposure can darken scars.

Why Choose Dr. Landford

Dr. Wilmina Landford is a Harvard-trained, double-board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with a strong reputation for precision and artistry in cosmetic procedures in Washington, D.C., and Maryland. She brings extensive experience in facial aesthetics and specializes in techniques that prioritize natural-looking results with minimal scarring. By choosing Dr. Landford, you can trust that your mole removal will be performed with expertise, attention to detail, and a focus on both safety and aesthetics.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’re in Washington, D.C., or Maryland and considering mole removal, the first step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Landford. During this visit, she will evaluate your mole, discuss your concerns, and recommend the best removal method for your needs. Contact Landford Plastic Surgery to book your appointment by calling us or filling out our online contact form.

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Mole Removal FAQs

Removing a mole can improve skin clarity and smoothness, especially if the mole is in a highly visible area. It can also prevent irritation or discomfort caused by moles that frequently rub against clothing or accessories. From a medical standpoint, removing a mole allows for biopsy testing, which can help detect or rule out potential skin conditions, including melanoma.
Patients typically feel a slight pinch from the anesthetic injection, but after that, the procedure itself is painless. Some techniques, like shave excision or laser removal, involve very little discomfort, while deeper surgical excisions may cause minor soreness or tightness as the area heals. Post-procedure, patients might experience mild redness, swelling, or sensitivity, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and proper wound care. Most discomfort fades within a few days, and any residual tenderness resolves as the skin fully heals.
For most patients, removing a mole completely requires only one appointment. The procedure is typically quick, lasting about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the mole’s size and location. If the mole is large, deep, or requires a more complex excision, a follow-up appointment may be needed for stitch removal or scar assessment. In rare cases, a second treatment may be recommended if the mole regrows or if additional cosmetic refinements are desired.
The results of mole removal are immediate, as the mole is physically removed during the procedure. However, the healing process varies depending on the size and depth of the mole and the removal technique used. Methods like shave excision or laser removal typically heal within one to two weeks, while surgical excision may take a few weeks for the incision to close fully. Final results, including scar maturation and complete healing, can take a few months, but scars often become barely noticeable with proper aftercare.
Mole removal can easily be combined with other cosmetic or medical skin treatments, such as microneedling, laser resurfacing, or Morpheus8, to enhance skin texture and tone. If you’re considering multiple procedures, Dr. Landford will assess your skin and recommend the best combination of treatments for your goals. Combining procedures can also help streamline recovery time, allowing you to achieve smoother, healthier skin with minimal downtime.

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