Mole checks and mole removal in Durango
Having your moles checked once a year is one of the cheapest things you can do for your health. Caught early, skin cancer is solved.
What the check is like
Moles are examined with a dermatoscope, an instrument that shows the structure of the mole below the surface. Many lesions that look identical to the naked eye are clearly different under it.
The check is quick, painless and needs no preparation. If something stands out, a biopsy can be taken the same day or scheduled.
When not to wait
The ABCDE rule helps decide when a mole should not be left alone:
- A — Asymmetry. One half does not match the other.
- B — Border. Irregular, notched or poorly defined.
- C — Color. Several colors in the same mole, or one very dark shade.
- D — Diameter larger than 6 mm, roughly a pencil eraser.
- E — Evolving. It changed in size, shape or color, or it bleeds, itches or will not heal.
E is the most important of the five. A mole that changes gets looked at, even if it passes every other letter.
Mole removal
Moles are removed for two different reasons, and it is worth not confusing them:
- Because of suspicion. When the examination finds something that has to be studied. Here the mole is ALWAYS sent for analysis (histopathology).
- Because it bothers you, or for appearance. A mole that catches on clothing, that gets nicked while shaving, or that you simply do not like.
⚠️ A mole removed without being analyzed is an opportunity lost. In a dermatology clinic the lab study is part of the procedure, not an extra.
Who should be checked every year
- Anyone with many moles, or large moles present since birth.
- Fair skin that burns easily and tans poorly.
- A history of bad sunburns, especially in childhood.
- Close relatives with skin cancer or melanoma.
- Anyone who works outdoors.
Frequently asked questions
Does removing a mole hurt?
It is done under local anesthesia: you feel the pinch of the anesthetic and then pressure, not pain. The procedure usually takes a few minutes.
Is it true that removing a mole is dangerous?
No. It is a common belief and it is false. What is a problem is removing one without a doctor assessing it and without sending it for analysis, because the information that mattered is lost.
Will it leave a scar?
It leaves a mark, which depends on the technique, the size and the area. You are told what to expect before you decide.
How often should I be checked?
Once a year is reasonable for most people. With a family history or many moles, your doctor may advise sooner.
I got a new mole as an adult — is that bad?
Not necessarily: moles keep appearing into your thirties and forties. But a new one in an older adult, or one that changes, does get checked.
Shall we take a look?
An assessment tells you what you have and what to do about it. Message us on WhatsApp.
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