Mole Removal Risks & What to Expect: A Doctor's Perspective

Mole removal is a relatively safe procedure, and the risks associated with the removal are few when the removal is performed by a qualified physician. It is not, however, advisable for people to attempt removing their own moles.

Scarring

• As is true of almost all surgical procedures, there is some risk that a scar could form where the mole was.

Regrowth

• It is possible for a mole to grow back if all of its cells are not removed. If a mole does grow back, it will likely be darker than it was originally.

Infection

• The site of the mole removal must be kept clean and covered to protect it from infection.

Nerve Damage

• Although the risk is small, there is a chance that mole removal could cause some nerve damage in the area around the mole.

Anesthesia

• Most moles can be removed using a local anesthetic. General anesthesia may be used on patients with particularly large or difficult to remove moles. There are some risks associated with anesthesia.