There’s nothing like having to live through the pain and isolation of having an unsightly mole somewhere visible on your neck or face. Rude people and innocent children who know no better stare, point and laugh. If your mole is a birthmark that is benign, it may not be a pressing issue to remove it and it probably won’t be covered under most insurance plans if you want it removed. Malignant mole removal is always handled quickly and efficiently as anything short of immediate attention could result in a spread of cancer that can’t be combatted through surgery or treatment. Whether for cosmetic or health reasons, if you’re interested in getting rid of your moles, there are a few different options available.
Getting Rid of Moles
There are four ways that mole removal is handled these days:
- Cryotherapy
- Excision
- Laser Treatment
- Radio Wave Treatment
The use of cryotherapy is a standard when it comes to getting rid of benign moles without need for expensive anesthesia to numb the local area. Liquid nitrogen or dry ice is used to freeze-burn the mole, numbing the area through temperature rather than through drugs. With excision, local anesthesia is used to numb the mole area and surgery is performed as usual. The amount of tissue that must be removed varies depending whether the mole is malignant, and if so, what Stage cancer is spreading. Laser treatment is quick and relatively painless. It works both for the removal of benign and malignant moles though it isn’t always covered under all insurance policies. Radiowave treatment is usually reserved for cancerous growth but basically works similarly to laser therapy – beams are shot into the mole. Instead of high-power light though, radiowaves are used to vibrate the molecules of the cancerous growth at super-high rates, killing them and ensuring that moles won’t come back!
Creams Versus Cryo
Creams and freezing spray are available over-the-counter for the purpose of removing moles. If you’re planning on dealing with a mole yourself, do yourself a favor and consult a dermatologist to find out if all of your moles are acceptable for treatment by cream or freezing spray. Creams have been used for a long time and contain all of the natural mole-killing ingredients from natural sources such as Castor Oil and onion. Freezing sprays have just recently been released for consumers and when used consistently, they will freeze-burn your mole away!
Surgery Versus Radiowave Therapy
If you have a malignant mole, there usually isn’t a choice between surgery or radiowave therapy: usually it’s both. Because of the nature of cancer, there are tons of precautions that doctors will take to ensure that all cancerous cells are dead and gone before treatment ends. This means that not only will surgeons cut out cancerous and surrounding tissue during surgery, it also means being subjected to radiological treatments on a regular basis. Be prepared – radiowave therapy is known to make you feel weak, nauseous and can cause hair loss, too.