Treatment

Most moles don't need treatment.

Mole removal

If your mole is cancerous, your doctor will do a surgical procedure to remove it. If you have a mole that causes irritation when you shave, you may want to have it removed.

Mole removal takes only a short time and is usually done on an outpatient basis. Your doctor numbs the area around the mole and cuts it out, along with a margin of healthy skin if necessary. The procedure may leave a permanent scar.

If you notice that a mole has grown back, see your doctor promptly.

Cosmetic care

If you're self-conscious about a mole, you could try makeup to help conceal it. If you have a hair growing from a mole, you might try clipping it close to the skin's surface or plucking it. Or talk with your dermatologist about permanently removing the hair and the mole.

Anytime you cut or irritate a mole, keep the area clean. See your doctor if the mole doesn't heal.