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We understand that some of our clients may have a preference as to choosing a female or a male doctor – especially if seeking treatment for moles, skin tags or warts in intimate areas.

Not a problem, Cosmedics Skin Clinics has a wide team of doctors at our London clinics and we are here to help by finding you the doctor most suited to your requirements.

Every patient is an individual with their own needs and concerns. We understand that there are many reasons why you might want to choose a female doctor:

• Comfort: Some women feel more comfortable talking about their skin health with a female doctor. They may feel happier about sharing private information and that a female doctor will be more understanding and empathetic to their concerns.
• Communication: Some women feel that they can communicate better with a female doctor. They may feel that a female doctor will be more likely to listen to their concerns and answer their questions.
• Shared anatomy: Some women feel that they can relate better to a female doctor because they have shared anatomy and experiences.
• Examination: When seeking diagnosis and treatment for genital, anal or vaginal moles warts or skin tags, you may feel happier having examination by a female doctor.
• Trust: Some women perceive that a female doctor would relate to patients on a more personal level, making it easier for them to trust her. A trusting relationship between a patient and doctor is essential, especially when dealing with sensitive issues.
• Cultural and religious beliefs: Some women may feel uncomfortable with being seen by a male doctor for cultural or religious reasons.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to see a male or female doctor is a personal one. At Cosmedics Skin Clinics, our male doctors are all highly trained and experienced. However, if you have a preference for a female doctor, then simply ask and we’ll do our best to recommend the most appropriate practitioner.

Skin Lesions in Embarrassing Areas for Women

Blemishes or skin lesions in embarrassing areas could include:

• Genital Warts: Genital warts are a symptom of HPV (human papillomavirus). They tend to appear in a patch with several lumpy bumps of skin. HPV is a very common sexually transmitted disease. When genital warts appear, they can be very irritating and can cause pain, discomfort, and itching; although sometimes they are only annoying in a cosmetic way due to their appearance (which in itself can cause great concern). Genital warts can also be embarrassing and cause awkwardness with partners.
• Vaginal Skin Tags: Vaginal skin tags are tiny flaps of skin that appear in the vaginal area. They are thought to develop due to friction i.e. clothing or rubbing skin causing overgrowth of the skin, which develops into protruding skin tags. They can sometimes develop during pregnancy or as a consequence of weight gain. Skin tags are not contagious at all, but their appearance can be very upsetting and worrying for clients.
• Anal Skin Tags: Anal skin tags are small, harmless growths of skin that protrude from the anal area. They can vary in size and shape, and may be smooth or wrinkled. They are not a serious medical condition unless they become painful or interfere with bowel movements or hygiene. They can also be embarrassing, which can be a big factor in wanting to get rid of them.
• Moles: Moles can appear anywhere on the face or body – even in areas never exposed to the sun. They can appear in the groin and areas normally hidden by underwear. It is essential to have any suspicious mole checked to ensure that it is not cancerous. Suspicious signs include changes in the size, shape or colour, or itching or bleeding.

For a confidential assessment and discussion about the most appropriate treatment, please book an appointment at one of our clinics.

Book an Appointment

London Mole Removal Centre offer appointments at a choice of 5 private skin treatment centres based in London and Bristol. All consultations and treatments are carried out in person by doctors who are specially trained in the latest laser and skin surgery techniques and are highly experienced in the field. Most skin lesions can be removed at the same appointment as the consultation, but there is no obligation to proceed unless and until both the patient and doctor are completely happy to do so.

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7731 3791.

Skin Treatment Case Study

In our new video, Esther shares her experience of having a facial mole above her eyebrow removed. 

The video shows how quick and simple the procedure is, using excision surgery.

Esther explains what made her decide to go ahead and have mole removal treatment:

“I’m here today to get a mole removed on/above my eyebrow. It’s something I’ve been thinking about getting done for a few years and something I’ve been putting off doing.

“But now I feel like the time’s right to get it done because I feel like it’s getting bigger over time. So I’m feeling a little bit nervous today mainly around the anaesthetic to be honest, having a needle, but other than that I’m excited.”

The mole removal doctor told Esther:

“…once it’s nice and numb the whole thing takes for less than five minutes. I’ll talk you through what we’re doing and then afterwards I’ll show you what it all looks like, teach you how to put the plaster on and that’ll be you all done.”

After the procedure was complete, Esther said:

“I’ve just finished having my mole removed which I am really happy with. It was so easy to do. The worst part for me was getting the numbing beforehand, but even that in itself did not hurt at all slight bit of stinging, but no pain whatsoever.

“And so I’d really recommend people to have their mole removed at Cosmedics it was super easy um and yeah, the guys just made it, the whole procedure, really quick and easy and I’m really glad I went through with it.”

Two weeks later, Esther’s before and after photos show that the wound has healed very well indeed, as there is very little evidence of the mole having been there. The pinkness will fade further with tim.

Esther reflected back on the experience. She said:

“Since I had my mole removed two weeks ago, I’ve actually been surprised how much I’ve actually like liked having it done.

“I’ve been looking at pictures from me like before and after and I just can’t believe the difference, just feel really happy with it there’s barely no marking if I cover it with makeup now, there’s nothing there to be seen and yeah I’m really really happy with the results.

“My experience at Cosmedics has been really good. I feel like the team are all super friendly and really professional. They really take the time to talk you through everything that’s actually going to happen, because before I had my mole removed I was a little bit nervous about the procedure and I took plenty of time to explain it all to me and go through all the steps.

“The removal itself was super quick and then they also took the time to explain to me the aftercare, what I should do in the coming days, the coming weeks and so I found everyone here really friendly and really knowledgeable and yeah I would definitely recommend.”

Private Mole Checks & Removal

The London Mole Removal Centre is a private company, offering private mole checks and mole removal treatment for unwanted moles. The experienced doctors and surgeons also offer removal treatment for a range of other skin lesions (e.g. cysts, skin tags, warts, verruca, lipoma, xanthelasma).

All consultations and treatments are carried out in person by doctors who are specially trained in the latest laser and skin surgery techniques and are highly experienced in the field.

Further advantages of private treatment at the London Mole Removal Centre include:

• No waiting lists
• Fully trained doctors, registered with GMC
• Moles can often be removed in the same appointment as the consultation, saving the need for a repeat visit and allowing patients to get their skin lesions removed very quickly
• Choice of 4 clinics in London plus one in Bristol
• Removed moles tested with report provided

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7731 3791.

A seborrhoeic keratosis can be quite a worrying skin blemish.

Many people have concerns that they’re cancerous, as they look quite distinct to the normal skin.

They tend to be slightly raised and can sometimes protrude so much that they start to catch on clothing and become easily irritated.

Due to an excess of pigment, they also tend to be a much darker colour than the normal skin tone, looking brown or even black against the surrounding skin.

The texture of a seborrhoeic keratosis can also cause concern, as it looks crinkly or wart-like. Its rough texture with folds or dimples can make the blemish even more noticeable than its colour or size.

In terms of dimensions, seborrhoeic keratosis can grow to several centimetres.

Is seborrheic keratosis cancerous?

The good news is that seborrheic keratosis is NOT a form of skin cancer. So although it looks peculiar and worrying, it does not require any urgent surgery. The NHS won’t treat seborrhoeic keratoses as they’re deemed of no medical concern.

However, it is vitally important to get a proper diagnosis, as seborrhoeic keratoses can look very similar to melanoma. Both can be brown/black and can appear anywhere on the body. However, melanoma is a form of skin cancer that requires urgent treatment and therefore it’s important to get this diagnosed and ruled out as soon as possible.

How do you tell seborrheic keratosis from melanoma?

While they can look similar, there are some differences to look for:

• A melanoma is usually a single lesion, whereas patients more often get multiple seborrhoeic keratoses
• Melanomas tend to have a smooth surface, whereas seborrheic keratoses tend to be rough with a warty texture
• A melanoma often has a jagged or uneven border, while seborrheic keratoses tend to be quite well-defined
• Melanomas are often an odd shape, whereas seborrhoeic keratoses tend to be uniform
• Melanomas often have complex discoloration with more than one colour, whereas seborrhoeic keratoses tend to be a single uniform colour tone
• Melanomas can grown and change quite quickly, whereas seborrhoeic keratoses tend to be much less active and change more slowly

How do I get a diagnosis?

Seborrhoeic keratosis is diagnosed in one of 3 ways:

1. Visual examination – an experienced skin doctor or dermatologist can often identify a seborrheic keratosis with the naked eye and this is usually the first step towards diagnosing what sort of blemish or skin lesion you have. They’re always alert to any sign of melanoma and if in doubt then they’ll take a further look
2. Dermascope inspection – if a visual examination is not conclusive, then doctors will use a device called a dermascope for a much closer examination. A dermoscope is a small, handheld device which provides magnification as well as lighting. This gives a much better view of the skin lesion for closer inspection
3. Histology Testing (biopsy) – if there is any suspicion about the lesion being cancerous, then a sample can be sent for testing. At Cosmedics Skin Clinics, all moles and any other worrying skin lesions that are removed are sent for testing as a point of best practice. Usually this just serves to put everyone’s mind at rest, but where there is an issue, it enables the appropriate referrals/treatment to commence

Your first port of call can be to the GP to get a free assessment of your skin lesion.

Alternatively, if you believe it is likely to be deemed ‘cosmetic’, then treatment and removal is only now available at private companies such as Cosmedics Skin Clinics, where experienced doctors and surgeons can diagnose and treat a vast range of skin lesions and blemishes.

Private Skin Blemish Diagnosis & Removal

The London Mole Removal Centre is a private company, offering diagnosis and treatment for skin lesions including moles, cysts, skin tags, warts, verruca, lipoma, xanthelasma, milia. All consultations and treatments are carried out in person by doctors who are specially trained in the latest laser and skin surgery techniques and are highly experienced in the field. Patients benefit from:

• No waiting lists
• Fully trained doctors, registered with GMC
• Blemishes can usually be removed in the same appointment as the consultation, saving the need for a repeat visit and allowing patients to get very quick treatment
• Choice of 4 clinics in London plus one in Bristol
• Testing with report provided where necessary

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7731 3791.

The USA-based FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has issued a warning to consumers and manufacturers about skin tag and mole removal products.

They’ve warned consumers NOT to purchase skin tag and mole removal products online (e.g. topical creams or solutions claiming to get rid of moles and skin tags).

In addition, the FDA has also sent warning letters to 3 companies (including Amazon.com) for selling items which had not been evaluated and approved for safety, effectiveness or quality. Without the necessary approvals, such products are in breech of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

The companies were given 15 days to respond to the FDA’s letter regarding the following products:

• Ariella Naturals
  • Ariella Skin Tag Remover & Mole Corrector and Repair Lotion Set
  • Ariella Skin Tag Remover and Mole Remover
• Amazon.com
  • Deisana Skin Tag Remover, Mole Remover and Repair Gel Set (since removed)
  • Skincell Mole Skin Tag Corrector Serum (since removed)
• Justified Laboratories
  • Skincell Advanced Mole Skin Tag Corrector Serum (since removed)
  • Skincell Mole Skin Tag Corrector Serum (since removed)

No Products FDA approved for moles or skin tags

While some of the products cited have since been removed, there are other mole and skin tag removal products still available on the open market which have not been approved by the FDA and were not mentioned in its letter.

It is important to notice that at the present time, there are no prescription or over-the-counter drugs approved by FDA for treating moles, seborrheic keratoses or skin tags.

Unapproved products may have high concentrations of potentially dangerous substances, even if they claim to be natural or organic. What’s more, they may not completely remove a skin lesion, and if they do, they may leave visible and permanent damage to the surrounding skin, such as scarring or discoloration,. This could end up looking worse than the lesion did. In addition, it may make it more difficult for a medical professional to assess and diagnose the mole or skin tag properly.

In a public statement, the FDA said that use of such products could cause injuries and scarring that may “jeopardize consumers’ health when used without consulting a health care professional”.

Mole/skin tag removal advice

The FDA recommends that moles be evaluated by a health care provider. This is very important because self-diagnosis and DIY treatment solutions may lead to a delayed cancer diagnosis and treatment. I

The FDA said that anyone with a mole or skin tag that is growing, changing, bleeding or painful should seek medical attention and not treat it themselves. These are recognised warning signs that something is not right and it’s best to see a professional for diagnosis and treatment as necessary.

A message from the FDA to consumers stressed the importance of getting cancerous lesions removed fully and as early as possible:

“If a skin cancer is not fully removed, it may continue to grow and possibly spread to other parts of your body.

“Dermatologists and other skin specialists are trained to identify suspicious lesions, examine them and help patients decide the best treatment.”

UK Mole & Skin Tag Removal Centre

The London Mole Removal clinic offers a range of services for skin blemishes and lesions, including screening checks, removal of unwanted or worrying moles/warts/cysts/skin tags and also full testing  of the removed item where required.

GP Dr Ross Perry MBBS explains:

“Our team of doctors are able to provide same-day treatments for moles, warts, skin tags and cysts.”

Consultant Surgeon Mr Michail Malandrakis FEBOPHTH L7CERT(AESTH) continues:

“Mole removal is one of the most popular procedures we perform here.

“A typical mole removal takes about 15 to 30 minutes. There’s minimal scarring.”

‘See & Treat’ Same Day

The clinics’ unique ‘See & Treat’ approach is designed to allow sufficient time for patients to go ahead and have their mole removed in the same appointment as the consultation if they wish. This is a popular service as it is both convenient and efficient. In many cases it means that there is no need to return to the clinic at all, unless there are stitches or an aftercare review (which can be the case for larger or more complex lesions).

Dr Perry says:

“We’re able to use a wide variety of treatment options depending on the condition that you’ve come in with; whether it be a mole or a wart or a skin tag.”

“These are all generally carried out under local anaesthetic to ensure that the area that we’re treating is numb and that you don’t feel any discomfort during the procedure.”

Private Mole Checks & Removal

The London Mole Removal Centre is a private company, offering private mole checks and mole removal treatment for unwanted moles. The experienced doctors and surgeons also offer removal treatment for a range of other skin lesions (e.g. cysts, skin tags, warts, verruca, lipoma, xanthelasma).

All consultations and treatments are carried out in person by doctors who are specially trained in the latest laser and skin surgery techniques and are highly experienced in the field.

Further advantages of private treatment at the London Mole Removal Centre include:

• No waiting lists
• Fully trained doctors, registered with GMC
• Moles can often be removed in the same appointment as the consultation, saving the need for a repeat visit and allowing patients to get their skin lesions removed very quickly
• Choice of 4 clinics in London and also Bristol
• Removed moles tested with report provided

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7731 3791.

Genital warts are a condition feared by many women. So how do you know if you have them?

The Express published a feature giving some excellent advice on the signs and symptoms. The article opened by explaining that genital warts are not necessarily that easy to recognise or diagnose yourself:

“HPV SYMPTOMS are not obvious hence the urgency for women to attend regular pap smears”

Genital warts are caused by the HPV virus, which stands for human papillomavirus. This is not one specific virus but actually a collection or group of over 200 related viruses, including sexually transmitted HPV, which is what can cause genital warts in the vagina and around the vulva.

The Express feature shared advice from Medical News Today on 3 signs to look for:

1. A cluster that looks like a cauliflower
2. A scatter of bumps that are darker than unaffected skin
3. Growths that may be raised, flat, smooth, or rough.

However, the article stressed that proper diagnosis is important as there are certain types of vulva cancer which look can quite similar to genital warts around the vulva.

The positive news is that new HPV vaccine could reduce the number of patients suffering from genital warts

“The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that cause most cases of genital warts and cervical cancer”

In the meantime it is important to get any suspected genital warts properly diagnosed.

Read this article in full at https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1574726/Hpv-symptoms-vaccine-warts-cluster-scatter-of-bumps-growths

Genital Warts

If you have lumpy, fleshy growths around the vagina/vulva that are irritating, uncomfortable, itchy or even painful, then it may be genital warts. These can be very embarrassing as they’re a known sexually transmitted disease. Their appearance can be very upsetting and worrying.

Diagnosing Genital Skin Lumps

If you are concerned about genital warts, it is best to get a proper diagnosis, so that you can understand your treatment options.

The NHS offers free sexual health clinics where they can carry out a full set of screening tests for STD’s (sexually transmitted diseases) or STI’s (sexually transmitted infections). Find sexual health clinic contact details.

If you do have genital warts, the NHS will most often offer topical treatments i.e. i.e. creams or liquids. These aren’t the best option, as they can be messy and awkward to apply. They can also take a long time to work and the ingredients may cause irritation to sensitive genital skin.

Private clinic treatments for genital warts and vaginal skin tags

Doctors and surgeons at Cosmedics’ London Mole Removal Centre offer fast and effective treatment for genital warts. They can often provide same day treatment through their ‘See & Treat’ service.

• Cryotherapy (freezing) – Simple warts or skin tags are frozen off in a procedure known as ‘cryotherapy’ which uses intense cold to destroy the growth. Treatment may involve 2-3 sessions to ensure complete removal of the wart.
• Laser or skin surgery – Large and resistant warts or skin tags can be treated either using more aggressive techniques, involving laser or surgery with cauterisation to seal the wound. Usually treatment can be completed in just one session.

Treatments are completely pain-free thanks to use of modern local anaesthetic. Patients are provided with full aftercare guidance and a follow-up appointment is included where recommended.

Book an Appointment

London Mole Removal Centre offer appointments at a choice of 5 private skin treatment centres based in London and Bristol. All consultations and treatments are carried out in person by doctors who are specially trained in the latest laser and skin surgery techniques and are highly experienced in the field. Most skin lesions can be removed at the same appointment as the consultation, but there is no obligation to proceed unless and until both the patient and doctor are completely happy to do so.

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7731 3791.