A mole is a skin growth that can range in color from flesh-colored to brown or black. They can appear absolutely anywhere on the body, and while many appear alone, they may also show up in groups of three or more. Most moles appear during the childhood years, and though most do not pose any real risk to the individual, there are cases in which removal may be optimal. Though it is rare in children, some moles may contain skin cancer. 

A dermatologist will generally remove a mole if it is bothersome, if it is unattractive and causes psychological distress, or if he or she believes it could contain skin cancer cells. Surgical excision and shaving are the two options most dermatologists will use for mole removal, and both are considered outpatient procedures. For the former procedure, the entire mole is cut out and the skin is stitched closed. For the latter, the surface of the mole is removed with a surgical blade. 

To learn more about your child’s mole, or to find out whether he or she is a candidate for mole removal, contact the experts at Premier Dermatology today.