Introduction
Skin imperfections go beyond pigmentation and acne; they also include moles. Almost everyone has 15 to 20 moles on their skin. Most moles are benign, and some are congenital, while others develop later in life. Moles can appear on any part of the body, but when they occur on the face, they can affect one's aesthetic appearance.
Symptoms
To be precise, moles are medically termed nevi or melanocytic nevi, representing localized skin pigment irregularities. The presence of moles on the skin results from an accumulation of melanocytes in the epidermis and dermis, causing black or dark-coloured moles. Some moles are congenital, while others may be related to sun exposure. Common moles are often black, but their appearance can vary in colour and depth based on the type and amount of pigments within the cells. They may appear as red, blue-black, brown, tan, or skin-coloured moles, and they can be flat, slightly raised, dome-shaped, or have hair. Most moles are benign; however, if mole cells undergo abnormal changes and rapid growth, they may turn into malignant tumours. Benign moles are typically smooth, mostly round or oval, and of small size.
How to Monitor Mole Development
Dermatologists often employ the ABCDE method to monitor mole development.
A (Asymmetrical): One half of the mole does not match the other half, resulting in asymmetry.
B (Border): Moles with irregular, notched, scalloped, or poorly defined borders.
C (Colour): Moles that have varying colours or have become unevenly coloured.
D (Diameter): Moles with a diameter greater than 6 millimetres, with particular attention to moles larger than 5 mm.
E (Evolving): Moles whose size, shape, or colour has changed rapidly. It's important to be cautious if moles become itchy, bleed, or cause pain. When one or more of these features are present, prompt medical evaluation is needed to determine whether the mole is benign or potentially malignant.
Our skin contains melanocytes, which, under normal circumstances, continuously produce melanin to protect the skin from external radiation, including ultraviolet rays. When melanocytes cluster in localized areas of the skin, pigmented moles, or common moles, develop. Apart from genetic inheritance, moles can also be caused by factors such as exposure to UV radiation, certain medications, skin trauma, and hormonal changes. While most pigmented moles are benign, a small percentage of moles, under specific conditions, can become cancerous or develop into malignant melanomas.
Treatments
Laser Mole Removal
For moles that are flat, with a depth of up to 5 mm, and located near the skin's surface, laser mole removal is a suitable option. Laser mole removal often utilises ablative lasers, precisely targeting melanin in the skin with the chosen spectrum. By delivering intense pulses of laser energy, it shatters the melanin within the skin and disrupts the mole cells. Laser mole removal focuses only on the pigmented moles, resulting in small incisions that are easy to recover from and leave minimal scarring. The number of laser treatments required depends on the mole's depth, size, and pigmentation.
Surgical Mole Removal
For moles with a diameter exceeding 5 mm, moles situated deeper within the skin, moles with uncertain characteristics, and raised moles, surgical mole removal is one of the safest and most effective methods. Surgical mole removal can expand the removal area, ensuring the complete excision of deep-seated mole cells and preventing their recurrence. However, the drawback of surgical mole removal is the longer recovery time, with scars gradually diminishing over 6 to 12 months.