How are moles and other nevi removed?

Nevi that have to be removed are cut out of the skin. The doctor numbs the area first with an injection. Normally, only small cuts are needed. The wound is sewn up after the procedure. Very large nevi are removed piece by piece in several procedures. Sometimes a general anesthetic has to be used when removing large nevi – for example, in children. In very rare cases, a skin graft is needed to close the wound.

Complications are rare. Like with all surgical procedures, though, the wound might become infected or there may be bleeding or nerve damage. If a general anesthetic is used, it could cause circulation and breathing problems. Depending on the size of the surgical wound, it might leave scars. To reduce the risk of scarring, the affected area of skin shouldn’t be put under strain for a while. It is best to talk to your doctor about how long you should avoid doing things like sports and other physical exercise.

Treatment approaches using cold, electricity or lasers are not suitable for removing moles and other nevi. This is because they destroy the tissue so it can no longer be closely examined afterwards. Then it’s not possible to check whether there were cancer cells in the nevus. These treatments can leave bothersome scars, too.

People who want to get rid of a nevus might also come across methods like applying medical bleach to the skin, or home remedies like vinegar compresses. But there's hardly any research on whether these methods work and what side effects they have, so it's not advisable to use them.

You certainly shouldn't ever try to scrape off a mole or other nevus, or remove it yourself with sharp objects like razorblades. If you do, the risk of wound infections is much higher than in a doctor’s office. And it's always better to have a medical professional see the nevus: They can spot signs of melanoma skin cancer that you might not recognize yourself.