A nevus – or a mole – most often takes the form of a small brown or pink spot that should be monitored by showing it regularly to a dermatologist. Some may pose a health risk while others are unsightly, requiring removal.

A nevus, commonly known as a mole, is a skin growth that forms from melanocytes, the cells responsible for the color of the skin. When these accumulate on the surface of the skin, a nevus appears, varying in size and color.

There are several types of nevi. The most common are almost flat, dark in color – brown or black – and small in size. Their appearance generally changes very little during life. It is estimated that the number of these common nevi increases in humans until the age of about 40 years.

Other types of nevi can also appear on the body. Of variable sizes, reliefs and colors, they can range from brown to beige through pink, and even blue.

While the majority of moles do not present a health hazard, some should be monitored and may constitute a risk of melanoma, that is to say skin cancer.

As a general rule, it is recommended to have your skin checked with a dermatologist “every 1 to 2 years if you have very few moles and every 6 to 12 months if you have a lot” , specifies the DermoMedicalCenter in Paris in the 8th arrondissement of Paris.

Between these appointments, a self-examination can identify potentially at-risk nevi. This is the rule of the alphabet:

• A, Asymmetry;
• B, Irregular Edges;
• C, a Color which is not homogeneous;
• D, an increasing Diameter;
• E, an Evolution of thickness.

If your nevus shows at least one of the two signs listed above, a quick medical examination is necessary.

If in doubt, contact your dermatologist who will check all areas of your body. Depending on the diagnosis, he will determine whether it is necessary to remove the mole for analysis in the laboratory.

Some poorly positioned moles – on the fold of panties or at the level of a bra strap, for example – can be a nuisance on a daily basis and need to be removed.

Unsightly nevi visible on the face or large on the body can also generate complexes requiring the intervention of a health professional to remove the mole.

If the nevus is common and does not meet any of the primer rule criteria, it can be removed with a laser. The treatment is performed under local anesthesia and can be performed on several moles in a single session. It can happen when the root is deep that the mole grows back, requiring a small touch-up on the part of the healthcare professional.

A crust will then appear as well as a slight redness that may settle for two to four weeks. The laser technique leaves a scar almost imperceptible to the naked eye.

This method of removing the nevus is the most common and is performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. Using a scalpel, the surgeon completely removes the mole and its root before stitches with fine threads for the most discreet scar possible. This will usually be a little longer than the initial diameter of the mole.

Performed only on benign moles, the shaving technique is applied to areas that are difficult to access or muscle tension such as the back. The mole is shaved on the surface under local anesthesia, but not completely removed.

The specialists then let the natural healing do its job. In some cases, the mole can grow back, touch-ups are to be expected.

If today techniques of excision and suture are deployed to limit visible scars, the healing is variable geometry depending on the individual. The quality of the skin, age, genetic heritage, areas operated on… all parameters to be taken into account and which will have an impact on the appearance of the scar.

If the ablation is performed for medical reasons, it will be taken into account by the Health Insurance. On the other hand, if the excision is performed for aesthetic reasons, it will take between 250 and 500 € depending on the area and the practitioner.