What’s an “invisible mole” and how can I get rid of it?
I have a bump on my chin that kind of looks like a burgeoning pimple, but it’s not and never changes appearance. My dermatologist called it an invisible mole. What exactly is an invisible mole and can I get rid of it?
American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Without a clinical photograph diagnosis is difficult, but in general an invisible mole is an intradermal nevus or a growth of normal skin cellular structures that forms a white non-pigmented raised “bump.” These bumps can still be aesthetically displeasing even without pigmentation or colour and occasionally can be other more serious skin growths. As you have had this for many years and as it has had no serious symptoms or risk factors such as bleeding, itchiness, rapid growth or change in colour it is likely just a benign intradermal nevus and can be removed with carbon dioxide laser
ablation or even surgical excision. The treatment options, however, need to result in a high probability that the scar or r esulting textural change will be superior to the actual intradermal nevus
itself.
At this point in time, I would advise you seek the advice of an expert plastic surgeon with experience in mole removal and discuss the various options.
I hope this information has been of some assistance and best of luck.
For more information, please review our cosmetic dermatology page.
R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.
Certified Plastic Surgeon
Yorkville, Toronto