how much does it cost to get a mole removed

A single mole on your face or skin can draw attention away from your beauty and radiant personality. You may face unwelcome comments about it. It can feel harsh and unjustified because a mole isn’t something that’s under your control.

Moles appear out of nowhere and can appear anywhere. But thankfully, there are ways to remove them safely. This blog will answer all your questions about moles, whether they’re dangerous, and how much does it cost to get a mole removed.

What Are Moles?

What Are Moles

Wondering how much does it cost to get a mole removed? But first, you need to know what a mole is and how they emerge.

Moles, also referred to by its medical term nevi, are a type of skin lesion in the same category as freckles, skin tags, and lentigines. They’re abnormal growths that differ in appearance to the skin around it. Moles can grow pretty much anywhere on your skin. They can also appear in groups.

According to the Mayo Clinic, most moles appear during the first 25 years of a person’s life. So by the time you reach adulthood, it’s fairly common to have anywhere between 10-40 moles spread out over your body.

A mole occurs when skin cells grow in clusters rather than spreading. These cells are called melanocytes and usually turn brown or black in color after years of exposure to the sun. There are 3 basic types of moles — symmetrical, irregular, and cancerous. This leads us to the next big question — are moles harmful?

Are Moles Dangerous?

Are Moles Dangerous

Fortunately, the vast majority of moles are benign and non-cancerous. They don’t change over time and remain the same size, color, and shape as when they first appeared. The only harm such moles can do is to your self-image, but that’s a separate issue.

Cancerous moles are rare, but you should still know how to distinguish them. So if you ever find a suspicious-looking mole, you know when to get it checked out.

When Should You Get a Mole Removed?

When Should You Get a Mole Removed

A major sign that a particular mole may be cancerous is if it looks different than the other moles you have. If you begin to notice changes in the color, size, or shape of the mole, you should have it checked out by a dermatologist. Especially if it starts to itch, ooze fluids, bleed, or become painful to touch.

Dermatologists will recommend getting the mole removed if they notice any of the following signs:

#1. Asymmetrical: One side of the mole looks nothing like the other side.

#2. Border: If the border of the mole is lumpy, irregular, or blurry.

#3. Color: Across multiple examinations, if the color of a mole changes, it may be cancerous.

#4. Size: Large moles need to be removed.

#5. Evolution: If the mole often changes in color, shape, or size as though it’s a separate entity.

How To Remove a Mole?

How To Remove a Mole

Hopefully, this goes without saying, but never try to remove a mole yourself. A mole isn’t something that’s on your skin; it’s a part of it. It’s connected to and receives nutrients from the same blood vessels as your normal skin cells around it. A mole also has nerve endings that can transmit pain to the brain.

There are a lot of websites and blogs with DIY tips for mole removal at home that you may find tempting to save costs. However, these methods are unproven and likely dangerous. It’s best to avoid them altogether and just consult a professional. If your mole isn’t dangerous, you may not even need to get it removed.

Options

The first and biggest to-do if you begin to suspect your mole may be transforming, or if it causes pain, itching, and pus leakage, is to visit a licensed and reputed dermatologist.

If your mole is found to be cancerous, they will use anesthesia and surgical tools to cut out the entire mole along with some of the skin tissue around the border and stitch up the wound painlessly.

Depending on the nature of your mole, laser removal may also be recommended. In this process, radiation light is directed towards the mole to break down the skin cells. It usually clears up small moles within minutes.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Mole Removed?

How Much Does It Cost

There’s no standard price for mole removal. It can typically range from $150 to $2000, depending on the method of removal or the clinic.

Other bearings to the cost include the diagnosis, size, and location of the lesion. To get a better idea of how much it may cost, try calling up your nearest dermatology clinic or check their website for estimates.

What Factors Determine the Price of Laser Mole Removal?

Factors Determine the Price

1. Size

The larger your mole, the more it may cost to remove it because it takes more time.

2. Number

The number of moles you have that require individual laser attention also affects your treatment bill.

3. Location

If moles are located in unreachable or tricky areas and are much stronger, thus requiring additional steps to be removed, it can also affect your total bill.

4. Method

There are two common methods.

The first is excision. This is typically reserved for large or potentially dangerous moles. Since it requires administering local anesthesia at the least and some skin surgery, it will cost more to get a mole removed this way.

The second is laser treatment. This is a cheaper and preferred method for removing small and harmless moles that you want to clear up to look good.

Does Insurance Cover Mole Removal?

If your mole removal is purely for beautification, it’s likely you will have to pay out of your own pocket. Most insurance plans do not cover cosmetic surgeries.

However, if your mole is cancerous or at risk of becoming cancerous, then your insurance plan is more likely to cover the treatment since it’s a medical necessity.

A Few Parting Words

So, how much does it cost to get a mole removed? As you’ve seen, the price varies depending on the diagnosis, the characteristics of the mole, and the method. The process is also usually only covered by insurance if it’s life-threatening.

Moles are very common. Almost everyone has moles, sometimes they’re just too small to notice or in areas you don’t check in the mirror very often. It’s important that you keep an eye on it and get examined if you feel like something’s off.

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