A shave biopsy as a method of removing a mole is commonly performed when the mole lies above the surface of the skin. This method is one of the more preferred methods by patients and doctors alike, especially when it is done for aesthetic purposes. The process is fairly simple and can be done during a visit to the doctor.
This procedure is quick and is relatively painless due to the local anesthetic that is given to the patient beforehand. This numbs the area and the doctor can then use a tool to shave the surface of the mole off of the body.
This procedure is usually chosen when a mole is in a particularly sensitive area or when the patient does not want it to be seen on a visible part of the body. The entirety of the mole is not removed, only the part that can be seen, as so this can only be done with moles that are benign.
Once the mole is shaved off the doctor then cleans the wound and the patient can then go home. In order to ensure that there is no infection the wound must be carefully monitored and cleaned.
Infection can always occur when the skin has been broken or cut open. Since this is the case with this procedure, this risk of infection is always there although it is relatively low. The practitioner who completes this process needs to ensure that his or her instrument is clean and that the area of the mole and the tool has been sterilized. This decreases the risk of infection.
Once the patient has been sent home, he or she is then responsible for cleaning the wound and making sure that infection does not set in. If any signs of infection are detected then an antibiotic needs to be administered immediately. The patient needs to contact their doctor in order for him to prescribe this.
Since the skin is cut open, scarring may occur with this type of procedure. The size of the scar depends on the size of the mole and the skill of the doctor performing the surgery. You might find that the scar is almost invisible but there is also the chance that it is unsightly.
If you are worries about scarring you might want to undergo laser surgery in order to rid yourself of the scar. This might take a few sessions but it will help you to rid yourself of it.
This type of surgery only affects the surface of a mole. This is why it is only done on moles that lie above the surface. This means that the part of the mole underneath the skin will remain. This also gives it a chance to grow back but this is dependant on how much of the mole has been removed. If enough has been taken from the mole then it will remain beneath the surface of the skin without growing back.
Loading…
