Editing Melanocytic nevus (section)

==Management==
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First, a diagnosis must be made. If the lesion is a [[seborrheic keratosis]], then shave excision, electrodesiccation, or cryosurgery may be performed, usually leaving very little, if any scarring. If the lesion is suspected to be [[skin cancer]], a [[skin biopsy]] must be done before considering removal. This is unless an excisional biopsy is warranted. If the lesion is a melanocytic nevus, one has to decide if it is medically indicated or not. Other reasons for removal may be cosmetic or because a raised mole interferes with daily life (e.g., shaving).

If a melanocytic nevus is suspected of being a [[melanoma]], it needs to be sampled or removed via skin biopsy, and sent for microscopic evaluation by a [[pathologist]]. Depending on the size and location of the original nevus, a complete excisional skin biopsy or a punch skin biopsy can be done. Removal can also occur by shaving. Shaving leaves a red mark on the site but changes to the patient's usual skin color in about 2 weeks. However, there might still be a risk of spread of the melanoma, so the methods of [[ABCD guideline|melanoma diagnosis]], including excisional biopsy, are still recommended even in these instances. Moles can also be removed by laser, surgery, or electrocautery.

In properly trained hands, some medical lasers are used to remove flat moles level with the surface of the skin, as well as some raised moles. While laser treatment is commonly offered and may require several appointments, other dermatologists think lasers are not the best method for removing moles because the laser only [[cauterization|cauterizes]] or, in certain cases, removes very superficial levels of skin. Moles tend to go deeper into the skin than non-invasive lasers can penetrate. After a laser treatment, a [[Wound healing#Proliferative phase|scab]] is formed, which falls off about 7 days later, in contrast to surgery, where the wound has to be sutured. A second concern about the laser treatment is that if the lesion is a melanoma, and was misdiagnosed as a benign mole, the procedure might delay diagnosis. If the mole is incompletely removed by the laser, and the pigmented lesion regrows, it might form a [[recurrent nevus]].

For surgery, many dermatologic and plastic surgeons first use a freezing solution, usually [[liquid nitrogen]], on a raised mole and then shave it away with a [[scalpel]]. If the surgeon opts for the shaving method, he or she usually also [[Cauterization|cauterizes]] the [[amputation|stump]]. Because a circle is difficult to close with stitches, the [[Surgical incision|incision]] is usually elliptical or eye-shaped. However, freezing should not be done to a nevus suspected to be a melanoma, as the ice crystals can cause pathological changes called "freezing artifacts" which might interfere with the diagnosis of the melanoma.

Electrocautery is available as an alternative to laser cautery. Electrocautery is a procedure that uses a light electrical current to burn moles, [[skin tags]], and [[warts]] off the skin. Electric currents are set to a level such that they only reach the outermost layers of the skin, thus reducing the problem of scarring. Approximately 1–3 treatments may be needed to completely remove a mole. Typically, a local anesthetic is applied to the treated skin area before beginning the mole removal procedure.<ref>{{cite book|last=Habif|first=Thomas P.|title=Clinical dermatology, a color guide to diagnosis and therapy|publisher=Mosby|year=1985|isbn=0-8016-2233-6|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/clinicaldermatol0000habi}}{{page needed|date=July 2014}}</ref>

===Mole removal risks===
The risks of mole removal mainly depend on the type of method used. First, mole removal may be followed by some discomfort that can be relieved with [[pain medication]]. Second, there is a risk that a scab will form or that redness will occur. However, such scabs and redness usually heal within 1 or 2 weeks.{{Citation needed|date=June 2016}} Third, similar to other surgeries, there is also risk of infection, [[allergic reactions to anesthesia]], or even [[nerve damage]]. Lastly, the mole removal may leave an uncomfortable scar depending on the mole size.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emedicinehealth.com/mole_removal/page3_em.htm|title=Mole Removal|access-date=2010-05-04}}</ref>