Your Cheat Sheet to Mole Removal in Singapore

Moles can grow anywhere on the body which can be bothersome and most of all, very unattractive. While moles are usually harmless and may just disappear over time, don’t you just wish to zap away these dark clustered pigments off your skin? Luckily, there are numerous mole removal procedures in Singapore that can suit your particular need or preference. Read on to know what’s the best one for you.

Moles…What are they exactly?

Moles are skin growths that commonly appear as brown-dark spots and that are caused by a collection of melanocytes in a certain area of the skin instead of spreading throughout the body. Melanocytes are cells that produce melanin that helps protect our skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Moles can appear as flat, raised or even go underneath the skin. Some moles may already be present at birth, and some appearing during early childhood to adolescent years.

Why mole removal?

1. Aesthetic Purposes

When moles appear in places that are mostly exposed like the face and neck, these unflattering spots can greatly affect how people see themselves. This is why a lot of patients seek help from medical experts at 1Aesthetics, Medical & Surgery and other clinics to regain their confidence.

2. Health Reasons

In some cases, however, moles—especially the ones with irregular appearance or growth may be signs of far more serious diseases like melanoma or skin cancer. Doctors highly encourage patients to get their moles checked as a safety precaution.

How can I detect a suspicious mole?

If your mole exhibits any of the following, make sure you book an appointment with your dermatologist right away:

• asymmetrical
• doesn’t have distinct edges
• has uneven colour
• unusually large
• changes appearance over time
• casually hurting

What are the different types of mole removal in Singapore?

Whether it’s for aesthetic or health reasons, the first step to safe mole removal is through proper consultation with your doctor. To give you a brief picture of what you’re getting yourself into, you will learn the different mole removal procedures that are generally practised in Singapore in the following sections.

Conventional Methods

Although not backed up by science and requires a lot of patience and diligence to apply, many people swear on the effectivity of conventional ways to remove unwanted moles off the skin. These methods may or may not work depending on the person and the circumstances. Two of the most common conventional methods are:

• Home Remedies
  Home remedies are not encouraged by most doctors because these remedies that are everywhere online, are not proven to be effective and not supported by research. Nonetheless, a lot of people still use these methods as a simple and natural approach to mole removal.
• Herbal Creams
  If you prefer to use the natural way over medical procedures but still want viable solutions from an actual dermatologist, there are also available options for you. In Singapore, some clinics offer herbal mole removal creams that are 100% natural and practical. These clinics also claim that their specially formulated herbal creams can remove warts and other unwanted skin growths.

Non-Surgical Procedures

If you want to get rid of moles but shy away from going under the knife, then, these non-invasive medical procedures may be your best bet.

• Laser Mole Removal

Used for: Flat, benign moles

How it Works: To simply put, laser energy heats up the mole resulting to breaking up of the pigments then flushed out of the body naturally. After the treatment, the treated area will form a scab and will eventually fall off as it heals.

What to expect: Almost painless, no scarring and leaves a smoother skin surface compared to surgical methods

Number of Sessions Required: 2-3 depending on the size and number of moles

Cost in Singapore: can range from $100 to $350 per session

• Electrocautery
  Used for: Small, flat moles
  How it Works: With similar principle to laser treatment, this method works by blasting electric current to the mole with the use of a hand-held device. This energy heats up the mole and shatters the skin cells and eventually falls off.
  What to expect: Very fast and almost painless that anaesthetics aren’t required
  Number of Sessions Required: Depending on the number of moles to be removed
  Cost in Singapore: From $150 and up per mole

Surgical Procedures

If you want to undergo surgery, your doctor may require several tests to ensure that you are qualified to have a surgical procedure. In Singapore, surgical procedures prices may range from $200 to $500 per mole.  At present, the following are the main surgical procedures for mole removal:

• Shave Excision Surgery
  Used for: Raised and protruding moles
  How it Works: After injection of local anaesthetics, your doctor ‘shaves’ the mole off the skin with the use of a small scalpel until the bump or protrusion becomes level with the skin.
  What to expect: This procedure is surgical in nature so bleeding and downtime may occur and aftercare may be required by your doctor.
• Excisional Biopsy
  Used for: Flat but irregular shaped moles
  How it Works: After injection of local anaesthetics, your doctor removes the entire area of the skin consisting the mole with the use of a scalpel.
  What to expect: The treatment area will require stitching and dressing to prevent infection and light scarring is very likely may occur when the wound has healed.
• Punch Biopsy
  Used for: Moles with pigmentation that goes under the skin
  How it Works: After injection of local anaesthetics, your doctor ‘punches out’ the mole and the underlying pigments underneath the skin with the use of a circular device.
  What to expect: After the procedure, some stitching and dressing of the treatment area may be necessary for protection and scarring may occur but will eventually lighten over time.

What’s the best mole removal procedure for me?

Whether it’s for aesthetic purposes or for a much more serious reason like prevention of skin cancer, always consult with your doctor and have tests done before committing to any surgery or non-invasive procedures like a laser. Depending on the situation at hand and your personal inclination, your dermatologist will be able to recommend the best procedure for you after a thorough checkup.