Understanding Moles & Removal Options

Skin lesions can be caused by a wide variety of factors, depending on the type of lesion. Some of the most common skin lesions can be hereditary, like moles and birthmarks. Moles form when melanocytes, skin cells that produce melanin, grow in clusters.

While many skin lesions are completely harmless, others can be cause for concern, especially those that can become cancerous. If you have a mole or skin lesion that is changing quickly, or is irregular in pigment and borders, it will require a medical assessment by one of our physicians.

A referral is required from your family physician or a walk in physician for assessment by one of the physicians at Shine MD. Abnormal appearing moles will be removed as a medical biopsy and sent for pathology assessment. This is a covered benefit by the Medical Services Plan of British Columbia. Moles that are deemed to be benign with no worrisome features can be removed by our physicians.

Some common forms of skin lesions include:

• Moles can occur anywhere on the body, and many moles are harmless. However, moles that grow in size or change shape or color should be examined by a physician. Moles can also be cause for concern if they start to itch, flake, or bleed.
• Skin tags can appear anywhere on the body, and look like small flaps of excess skin that are attached to the skin by a thin stalk. These lesions are usually harmless.
• Seborrheic keratoses are common lesions that can appear flat or raised and have a waxy or scaly texture. These lesions are more likely to develop as you get older.
• Sebaceous hyperplasia is a condition that causes small, skin-toned bumps on the skin. They occur when sebum gets trapped under the skin, enlarging the skin glands. These lesions are harmless but can be aesthetically bothersome. While these lesions are easily treated with Erbium Laser, sebaceous hyperplasia is a recurring issue and lesions may not resolve with a single laser treatment.
• Milia are small, white or yellowish bumps that appear just beneath the skin’s surface. Milia are completely harmless but often persist indefinitely without treatment and can be aesthetically bothersome. They are easily removed with topical numbing and Erbium laser with a low downtime and no scar approach.

Most moles are benign, but concerning features should prompt evaluation by a physician. At Shine MD, all lesions are assessed by a physician before removal to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

If you are certain that the lesion is benign, then no referral is required to book a consultation at Shine MD. You may contact the clinic directly to arrange an assessment with Dr. Khurana. The clinic team will ask you to send photos of the areas to ensure that you can be booked in for an elective mole removal appointment. The physicians at Shine MD will assess your moles, confirm the diagnosis, and recommend the most appropriate removal approach based on your individual presentation and skin type. Consult and removal fees apply. If a biopsy is clinically indicated, the associated pathology costs may be covered by the Medical Services Plan of British Columbia (MSP).

No. All mole removal procedures at Shine MD are performed under local anesthesia (lidocaine), which fully numbs the treatment area before any instrument is used. Once the numbing is injected, patients do not experience discomfort during the procedure. A brief stinging sensation from the anesthetic injection itself is the most commonly reported experience.

Individual moles can be removed in a matter of minutes. For patients having multiple moles treated in a single session, the total appointment time depends on the number and location of the lesions. This is discussed in detail during your consultation, so you can plan accordingly.

Yes. At Shine MD, patients with multiple moles across one or several areas can have all lesions treated in a single visit. Our physicians are experienced in treating moles on the neck, face, torso, and other locations systematically and efficiently, without compromising cosmetic precision.

Once a mole has been surgically removed, it will be unlikely to recur in the same location. However, patients who are prone to developing moles may continue to form new ones over time. This reflects an individual predisposition and is not related to the removal technique used.

If a mole is flattened or shaved with electrocautery, the base of the mole is still present so the mole can recur in the same location. Lesions such as seborrheic keratoses, dermatosis papulosa nigra and skin tags are unlikely to recur in the same location once removed with electrocautery.

Yes. Shine MD has particular expertise in treating patients with skin of color. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (darkening of the treated area) is a temporary, known, and expected response in most patients with skin of color. This occurs as the skin heals and is a response to the treatment energy. While this is not harmful, it may take time to fade.

We take specific precautions to minimize pigmentation changes and support optimal healing. For patients who want faster improvement, we also offer optional post-treatment skincare and laser therapies to help even out skin tone. These additional treatments are elective and not included in the initial mole removal fee.

Keep the treated area clean and follow the wound care instructions provided by your clinician. Daily cleansing and the use of Aquaphor will improve your wound healing. Once the skin has fully healed, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect the area from UV exposure and to minimize post-inflammatory pigmentation. Avoid picking at or disturbing any scabs that form, as this can delay healing and increase the risk of scarring. If you have a surgical removal, sutures will be placed and will require a follow-up appointment for removal. 

Most patients are able to return to their normal daily activities immediately or within 24 hours following treatment. Mole removal involves minimal to no downtime, making it a convenient option for even the busiest schedules.

To support proper healing, we recommend avoiding swimming, hot tubs, and saunas in the days following your procedure until the skin is fully healed. It’s also important to minimize prolonged moisture, friction, or sweating to reduce irritation and promote optimal recovery.

You may experience mild tenderness or sensitivity at the treated sites for a few days. This is completely normal and typically resolves quickly as your skin heals.