A mole or nevus is a growth on the skin. It is possible to be born with some moles while others develop over time. Mole formation in adults is linked to sun exposure and its effects on melanin.
However, moles come in a variety of colours, such as flesh-toned, red, and pink. In addition, some of them may have hairs growing out of them. Most moles are benign; however, it’s essential to check them regularly for any changes that could indicate cancer development.
Moles can be classified into three main categories:
Congenital Moles
One in every 100 babies is born with a mole that’s there from the start. Congenital moles can be round or flat, and their colour may vary, but they rarely progress to cancer.
Acquired Moles
Those moles you get later in life are called acquired moles. The majority of these spots are brown and the result of past exposure to the sun’s rays. They remain round as you grow older with no noticeable changes. Age-related darkening of these moles can lead to melanoma, but it is not always the case.
Atypical Moles
Atypical moles differ from other types of moles in that they are larger and have irregularly shaped borders. In addition, atypical moles can range in colour from light to dark. In contrast to congenital and acquired moles, atypical moles are more likely to develop into malignant tumours. Melanomas are always the darker of the two.
Moles are very and are the result of skin cells that have grown abnormally. However, uncontrolled growth isn’t always a sign of cancer.
Congenital nevi are moles that appear on the skin from birth. However, moles can also occur in childhood or adolescence. As we age, sun exposure and other factors contributing to ageing skin can lead to the development of moles and other skin growths.
While some moles can develop into cancer, the vast majority are benign. For this reason, it’s crucial to consult with a doctor about any suspicious moles you notice:
There are three types of surgical treatments to remove moles: Excision, Punching, and Shaving. These treatments require anaesthesia due to the invasive nature of cutting the moles, and there is more chance of scarring.
There are two types of non-surgical procedures to remove benign moles.
Cryotherapy:
Cryosonic uses this treatment method. Using the latest tool on the market, the Cryopen finely sprays liquid nitrogen to freeze off the mole. The Cryopen is a quick and effective procedure and requires no anaesthesia because the freezing process naturally numbs the area. As a result, the cells in the mole are destroyed and removed by the body’s immune system, forming a scab before the mole falls off.
Radiofrequency:
Only a select few moles can be treated with radiofrequency technology. They are typically raised moles that do not pose a health risk. Skin can be shaved off in seconds using an electrode tip and a high-frequency radio wavelength. An anaesthetic has to be applied before treatment.
After your treatment, we recommend that you leave the area uncovered to hasten the healing process. If the treated area is at risk of being rubbed or aggravated in any way, cover with a sterile dressing.
Skincare is critical for your overall health, and it’s important to remember that even moles are a part of your skin. Wear sunscreen every day in addition to cleansing and moisturizing. Don’t ignore moles on your skin; they need at least SPF 30 protection, just like the rest of your body.
There are a few things to keep in mind:
Use sunblock, clothing, and other means of protection regularly. For example, using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher will help you avoid developing skin cancer. In addition to blocking out UVA and UVB rays, these sunscreens also provide some degree of ray absorption reduction.
Some people believe tanning beds are safer than the sun’s ultraviolet rays. But, whatever the source, ultraviolet light can harm the skin.UV light from a tanning bed has the potential to age the skin prematurely by causing wrinkles and sunspots to form.
Whatever your skin tone, you are at risk of developing skin cancer. A misconception is people believing that skin cancer only affects those with fair skin. People with darker skin have a lower risk of skin cancer, but they are still at risk of sun damage and need precautions.
CryoPen is an innovative non-invasive cryosurgery tool that emits a small jet of nitrous oxide onto skin lesions to destroy them at their core without harming healthy skin surrounding the lesion. In addition, the pen-like instrument destroys benign skin lesions such as moles.
There are four main advantages to this treatment over others:
Using the CryoPen, N2O is sprayed under high pressure onto the patient’s mole to freeze and destroy it. The CryoPen’s tip reaches -89°C while being applied. The purpose of this is to cause a thermal shock in the area where the gas is directed by rapidly lowering temperatures. The drop in temperature causes the fluid contents of the targeted cells to crystallise with ice, destroying the mole as the membrane surrounding the treated cells is ruptured and killed.
Because nitrous oxide gas penetrates at a rate of about 1mm per 10 seconds, freezing a 2mm mole would require 10 seconds of treatment time. During treatment, you may notice a frost covering the mole. However, this usually melts away in a few seconds.
Cryosonic invites you to contact us today! We can get to know you better, understand what you hope to accomplish, and determine whether or not you are a good candidate for Cryopen treatment.