Removal of Skin Moles and Wart Treatment

What is a Skin Mole?

Most skin moles are harmless, but certain moles should be examined and removed if malignancy is suspected as they can be life threatening.

The ones to watch closely and to show your doctor are those which change in any way - in size, shape or colour, or any mole that itches, bleeds or hurts. Any change in a mole or any new mole which appears to be growing may be a sign of malignancy. In the Australian climate skin moles are very common.

Some moles may be of concern and may require excision (cutting out) then sent to pathology for diagnosis. Many moles, however, are not of any medical concern but rather are a cosmetic aesthic concern. These moles are usually raised, leading to a contour deformity as well as possibly being pigmented.

What is a Wart?

Warts are rough patches of skin that are usually caused by viral infection. Most warts can be treated with Cryosurgery, which involves freezing the wart with liquid nitrogen causing little pain, after which the wart and surrounding dead skin falls off by itself.If it is not removed then It is possible to treat the warts using the same surgical techniques employed in mole removal procedures.

How Are Moles Removed?

Mole removal (as well as warts) are conducted under local anaesthetic in the doctor’s rooms, without stitches or blood loss. During the process the doctor uses a Radio Surgitron machine.

Much like Laser Surgery, mole removal can be done with minimal bleeding. In this treatment the whole mole is not removed, rather it is shaved off flat with the skin. This removes the contour deformity and usually all of the pigment. Because the skin is not cut through full thickness there is no need for stitches. The skin is given the chance to heal with minimal to no scarring.

Any wound is usually like a shallow graze. Initially it is covered with a small Band-aid type dressing. The skin heals in around one week. It will be slightly pink for a few weeks before settling down.

Some skin moles and warts will heal with virtually no scar at all, others may have a slight area of decreased pigmentation. Some people may experience a recurrence of the mole and these patients usually opt for the same treatment rather than having an excision with a scar.

How To Reduce Bruising After Mole and Wart Treatments

Asprin, Nurofen, Vitamin E, Chinese herbal medication and blood thinning medications tend to significantly risk bruising. They should not be taken for one week prior to and one week after facial plastic surgery.

Please consult our doctor if you have any suspicious moles or skin irregularities, this is a free no obligation consulation.

Is a Mole Removal Procedure Covered By Medicare?

Some of the cost is rebatable from medicare. Please contact us for exact rebates as this can vary form case to case.