Tips for Taking Care of Your Skin After Mole Removal

Whether a mole removal requires bandages or ointment, it is important to properly care for the wound to help prevent infection and scarring. Here are some tips to help you do just that.

During an excision mole removal, your doctor will clean and numb the spot before using a scalpel to remove the mole. They may also cauterize or burn the area to stop bleeding.

Clean the Wound

Moles are an ordinary feature of human skin. Most of them are completely harmless, but some may pose a health risk now or in the future. If you discover a mole that is changing or growing quickly, or if it has blood or fluid oozing from it, visit your doctor to have it checked out. You may be able to have the mole removed by shaving, cutting, or burning. It is important to follow your doctor’s after-procedure instructions after a mole removal to ensure that it heals properly.

Your surgeon will cleanse the area with alcohol or a suitable surgical disinfectant. Then the mole will be numbed, either with lidocaine or another type of anesthetic. Next, the surgeon will use a scalpel to separate the mole from the surrounding skin. Depending on the type of mole, they will take a margin of healthy skin to reduce the likelihood of cancerous cells developing. They will then stitch the wound together.

If you are taking a medication that interferes with blood clotting, such as blood thinners, you will need to discontinue it before undergoing mole removal. Similarly, you should not smoke or drink alcohol to prevent complications. After the procedure, you should keep the site clean and apply petroleum jelly to protect it from infection. You should also avoid picking at scabs or letting them fall off on their own.

Apply Moisturizer

Mole removal is a fairly simple procedure that most dermatologists can complete in a single office visit. The doctor will shave the mole or cut it out of your skin, depending on what type of mole is being removed. They might also remove a mole if it is a concern because of its size, shape or color or if it is itchy and bleeding.

Once the mole is removed, your body will begin to heal the area. This is a normal process that can create a scar, especially if the wound is on an area that stretches and moves frequently, like the hand. Moisturize the area to prevent this scarring. You can use a regular moisturizer or a special scar cream that contains silicone, which has been proven to flatten and fade scars. Products like NewGel+ silicone gel are available online and at most pharmacies.

Moisturizing the wound is essential because dry skin makes it more susceptible to permanent scarring. This is especially true when you are recovering from a surgery, including mole removal. Make sure you moisturize at least twice a day until the wound is completely healed and begins to form a scab. The best time to moisturize is right after a bath or shower when your skin will be wet and more receptive to the moisture.

Cover the Wound

Most people have at least one mole, and most of them are harmless. However, some can be cancerous or precancerous. Moles can also irritate the skin or rub on clothes, and they can be unsightly. It is best to have moles removed by a professional in a clinical setting with sterile tools. Trying to remove moles on your own can put you at high risk for infection and may result in significant scarring. Moles can be removed for cosmetic reasons or if your dermatologist suspects they are precancerous or cancerous.

A typical mole removal procedure involves a shave excision or dermabrasion. Your doctor will cleanse the area, then inject it with an anesthetic. The anesthetic will numb the area for several minutes, and then your doctor will either shave the mole flush with the skin’s surface or slightly deeper, depending on your doctor’s assessment of the mole. The doctor will then cauterize the wound or use a solution to stop any bleeding and seal the edges of the wound. After that, the wound will be covered with a bandage.

Keeping the wound clean and covered will help it heal faster. It is important to clean the area and replace the bandage regularly, especially for the first week to two weeks. It is also important to keep the area hydrated with over-the-counter ointments, and you should avoid picking at the scabs as they form. Moderate massage can increase blood flow to the area, which will help with healing.

Watch for Bleeding

Mole removal is a safe and effective way to get rid of unwanted growths. However, after the procedure you should keep an eye out for signs of bleeding as it can occur in certain cases. If you notice any bleeding, it’s important to get it checked out by a dermatologist right away so they can determine what the problem is and help you.

There are a few different ways that a mole can be removed. One option is to freeze it which in itself can cauterize the wound and stop any further bleeding. Another method is to cut it which is more common and your doctor will numb the area before using a scalpel to remove the mole along with a border of healthy tissue. If the mole is large, your doctor may have to cut a little deeper than normal and that can sometimes cause more bleeding.

Once the bleeding has stopped, you can apply a bandage to the area and it’s best to keep that in place until the scar has completely healed. It’s also important to avoid getting the area wet and make sure it’s covered whenever you go outside. Also, your doctor might recommend applying a scar treatment to reduce the appearance of any possible scars after mole removal. However, before you try any new treatments, consult with your dermatologist to make sure they’re safe for you.