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A mole is a cluster of pigmented skin cells that can appear anywhere on your body. It is a common type of skin growth that usually shows up during childhood or adolescence. Most moles are benign (noncancerous).
If you do not like the way a mole looks or feels, or if they get in your way (such as when you dress or shave), you can have it removed through a procedure called mole removal. Mole removal can also be performed if a mole on your body is found to be cancerous. In this case, mole removal is done to get rid of the dangerous cells.
Mole removal can usually be done by a dermatologist in a single office visit. There are several techniques used to remove a mole:
Shave excision
During shave excision, your doctor will give you a local anesthetic to numb the area around the mole. Then, a thin tool similar to a razor is used to gently slice away your mole and some tissue beneath it. Your doctor may also use a device with a small electrode at its end to perform a procedure called electrosurgical feathering. The feathering is done to help reduce the appearance of the excision as it can blend the edges of the wounds with the skin that surrounds it. In most cases, no stitches are needed for a shave excision. Once the surgery is completed, your doctor may examine the mole under a microscope to check for signs of skin cancer.
Surgical excision
Surgical excision is deeper than a shave excision. After numbing the area of the mole, your doctor will cut out the entire mole, the subcutaneous fat layer underneath it, and some healthy skin around it using a scalpel or a sharp, circular blade. The wound is then closed with stitches.
Laser mole removal
Your doctor starts this procedure by applying local anesthesia around the area of the mole you want to remove. Then, laser ray is directed to the cells that form the mole. These cells absorb the laser ray, causing the mole to fumes away from the surface of your skin, while the adjacent skin remains intact.
Mole removal is usually an outpatient procedure, so you can leave the hospital as soon as your mole removal is complete. You can normally leave Portugal within a day or two. However, if your mole removal procedure involves stitches, you may need to stay longer, usually around a week.
The recovery time for mole removal varies. It may take a few days to a few weeks for you to fully recover, depending on how large the mole was and how deep your doctor had to cut it. In general, a mole removal scar takes at least 2 to 3 weeks to heal. However, you should be able to return to your normal activities the next day after your procedure if the mole was small and your doctor does not need to make a deep cut. If you had stitches, it is recommended that you avoid doing any strenuous activities for a few days.
Your doctor will instruct you on how to care for yourself after the procedure. To reduce the size of a scar and decrease the chance of infection, you can do the following:
Avoid direct sunlight on the scar for at least six months. If you do go outside, ensure that your scar is covered with a strong sunscreen (at least SPF 30). Cover the scar with sun-protective clothing whenever possible.
Do not stretch the scar. A lot of movement on the area where the scar is located can stretch it and result in longer healing time and a bigger scar.
Always keep the incision site clean, moist, and covered.
Note that if your doctor’s instruction is different from any of the above, you should follow there instruction.
Mole removal is generally a straightforward, simple, and safe procedure with high success rates. The biggest risk after the procedure is scarring. The site can also get infected and bleeds. You can avoid both by carefully following your doctor's instructions to care for the wound until it is healed.
There are currently no other alternatives to mole removal than the procedures mentioned in this article. You may have heard or read a number of at home, “do-it-yourself” techniques to remove a mole. While these methods may sound pretty easy, they are not proven to work. Some may even be dangerous for your health. A safer way to conceal moles if you do not like their appearance is to cover them with makeup.
Before mole removal, you may have a mole that makes you feel self-conscious about, makes your activity uncomfortable, or cancerous. After the procedure, the mole should be gone completely. Depending on the reason you had the procedure, you may feel more confident, more comfortable, or the cancer is prevented from growing and spreading.
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
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Portugal is a country located in southwestern Europe. It’s one of the oldest nation-states of Europe and the world. Its territory had been continuously invaded, settled, and fought over since prehistoric times. Today, the country has become a major tourist destination, with its architecturally stunning cities, cobblestone villages, medieval castles, great food, stunning beaches, and incredible weather. Besides its beauty, Portugal is also attracting people from all around the world for its healthcare. The country offers a combination of state-of-the-art private medical centers, with spotless facilities and private rooms, a wide range of procedures, with very short waiting lists, as well as highly trained patient-oriented medical teams who are fluent in different languages. The physicians in this country have been trained by high standard medical schools, where just top and talented students are allowed to attend.
Lisbon is the capital and the largest city in Portugal. This city is filled with friendly people, history, mystique, and amazing food. Explore its many beautiful churches, listen to Fado, take a trip to the Castle of St. Jorge, see Sintra, and have some fun in one of its nightclubs. Another popular destination is Batalha, which is home to the UNESCO-listed Batalha Monastery. The monastery was build from 1386 to 1517 and is known as the greatest Gothic masterpieces in Europe. Those who want to party or soak up the sun should visit Lagos, while those who love to wander around and visit museums should visit Porto. Both of these cities are popular and fascinating.
International tourists usually arrive at Lisbon Airport. It is a hub for low-cost airlines EasyJet and Ryanair, and it serves flights to numerous cities around the world. To get around Portugal, trains and buses are very efficient. While trains are often cheaper, buses are usually quicker. Taxis are available in almost every city and are relatively cheap.
Since Portugal is part of the Schengen Area, citizens of 62 countries, including the US, Australia, the UAE, and Canada, are allowed to visit without a visa for up to 90 days. Citizens of most other countries are required to obtain a Schengen visa to visit the country.
From March to May it is spring and the weather is pleasant but there will likely be some heavy rain. Summer, is from June to mid-September, can be scorching hot with temperatures rising to mid 30oC. Autumn, starts from mid-September to December and it brings colder temperatures but and an increased chance of rain. Winter can get quite cold and the days are shorter and always expect rain and storms during this season.