Mole Removal

Moles are very common and frequently benign. In some cases, however, they can become bothersome or dangerous, in which case you need to get them removed. William Gillen, MD, Patricia O'Connor, MD, and the team of providers at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center offer safe and comfortable mole removal for their patients in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia. To schedule your mole removal, call the Richmond-area office nearest you, or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

What is a mole?

A mole (or nevus) is a common growth on your skin made up of nests of melanocytes. Most people think of moles as brown, but they can also be red, pink, and flesh-colored, and in some cases, they have hairs that grow from them. Contrary to popular belief, this does not mean the mole is more or less dangerous.

Moles are typically benign, but they can occasionally become atypical or frankly cancerous over time if they incur insults like damage from UV exposure or radiation. It's important to have your moles regularly monitored by a dermatologist to ensure that they remain normal and healthy. If you have a mole that becomes irregular, your dermatologist might suggest biopsying it to test for melanoma or removing it, or both.

Why would I need to remove a mole?

There are a few reasons why you might need to remove a mole. In most cases, it's because your dermatologist suspects that a mole might be dangerous - either melanoma or atypical enough to become a melanoma. Some people, however, choose to remove moles for cosmetic reasons, or because they have a mole in an uncomfortable location.

When should I have a doctor check a mole?

You should maintain an annual skin cancer screening with the team at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center, during which time your doctor examines your body for any suspicious moles they might need to remove.

In some cases, though, you might want your dermatologist to check on a mole before it's time for your annual skin checkup. Remember your ABCs and schedule a visit immediately if you have any new or rapidly growing moles or moles that:

  • Look infected
  • Suddenly change in size or shape
  • Are itchy
  • Spontaneously bleed

Your dermatologist can assess whether or not they need to remove your mole.

How is mole removal performed?

Your dermatologist can remove your mole in a single office visit with one of two methods:

Shave Excision

In a shave excision, your dermatologist uses a thin, razor-like tool to remove the mole off of your skin after numbing the area with local anesthesia.

Afterward, they might use a special tool with a tiny electrode to electrosurgically feather the skin around the removed mole. This feathering helps reduce scarring by blending the edges of the wound with the surrounding skin.

Surgical Excision

In a surgical excision, your dermatologist will anesthetize the area and use a scalpel to cut through the skin to the subcutaneous fat layer to remove your mole. The defect that is created from this removal is closed using stitches.

In both surgical excision and a shave excision, your mole will be examined under a microscope after its removal, to check for signs of cancer or atypia.

Schedule your mole removal with Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center today by calling the nearest office, or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

How can we help

Services

Service Offered: Skin Cancer
Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and can be dangerous if it's left untreated. Routine skin cancer screenings with one of our expert team members at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center located in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, ensure early detection and treatment to prevent complications. Call our office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Mohs Surgery
Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery is a very safe and effective outpatient surgical procedure for removing certain types of skin cancer. This technique focuses on the complete removal of the skin cancer with a cure rate as high as 98-99% depending on the cancer type, size, and location. Our Mohs surgeons, William Gillen and Shields Callahan, MD at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center are fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons located in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia. Using a microscope to examine the margins, they can be very precise in determining when the cancer has been removed, thus preserving normal surrounding tissues and allowing the smallest possible surgical wound.

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Service Offered: Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is a common skin cancer typically on sun-exposed skin that can arise from the pre-cancers, actinic keratoses. Seeking treatment early for any unusual, painful, or non-healing site can prevent serious complications associated with skin cancer. At Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, William Gillen, MD, Patricia O’Connor, MD, and their team diagnose and treat squamous cell carcinoma by removing skin lesions with surgical techniques, including Mohs surgery, or other more conservative procedures, if appropriate. Call the nearest Richmond-area office today, or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. At Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, William Gillen, MD, and Patricia O’Connor, MD, offer treatment for this type of cancer that usually appears as a bump or pinkish patch of skin. If you suspect you have basal cell carcinoma or any form of skin cancer, contact the office right away to set up an appointment. Call either Richmond-area office to speak with a team member or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Melanoma
Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that kills thousands of people each year. William Gillen, MD, Patricia O'Connor, MD, and the team of professionals at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, are committed to finding and diagnosing melanoma at its earliest stages which is crucial for treatment. In these early stages, treatment can be done in our office. When necessary, our skilled providers are experienced in developing interdisciplinary treatment plans. Above all, they are dedicated to educating their patients on skin cancer prevention. Schedule your skin cancer screening today by calling the nearest Richmond-area office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Skin Disorders
Skin Disorders

Skin disorders can look unsightly, be embarrassing, or in some cases, indicate skin cancer. At Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, William Gillen, MD, Patricia O’Connor, MD, and their experienced team treat lumps, bumps, and rashes in patients of all ages. Call either Richmond-area office to schedule an appointment or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Injectables
Injectables

If you want to rejuvenate your appearance by minimizing facial wrinkles and fine lines, then injectables may be right for you. Patricia O'Connor, MD, and Eliza Hester PA-C at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center provide high-quality injectables and customized plans for their patients in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia. Schedule an injectables consultation today by calling either Richmond-area office, or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Psoriasis
Psoriasis

Roughly 7.4 million people in the United States are bothered by psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition that affects the skin, joints, and less commonly the cardiovascular system. If you have psoriasis, schedule a visit with a member of our general dermatology team at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia. A group of well-versed providers in the variety of treatment options available for psoriasis and will develop a plan to help you find relief from your condition. Booking an appointment is easy. Simply call the nearest Richmond-area office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Eczema
Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition that causes reddened and scaling skin and uncomfortable itching. Occasionally, this broken skin can become infected leading to pain and oozing. Our team at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, can help you manage eczematous conditions so you can live as normal and healthy of a life as possible and prevent the flares and infections associated with a broken skin barrier. Call either of the Richmond-area offices today to schedule your appointment and get relief from symptoms or, send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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