Mole Removal FAQ

Moles (or naevi) is a collective term for most skin lumps or blemishes that are often present from birth or develop as we age. They can be raised or flat, skin coloured or dark. Most are harmless but any changing moles should be examined by a doctor.

Moles are typically removed for two reasons:

1. Cosmetic/Practical (they are unsightly, catch on clothing, or interfere with shaving) or
2. Medical (they show "Red Flag" changes in size, shape, or color). If a mole is crusting, itching, or bleeding, it should be assessed by a specialist immediately.

Yes. Our popular "See and Treat" service allows you to have a full clinical consultation and the removal procedure within a single 30-to-60-minute appointment, provided the doctor deems it appropriate.

No. As a private specialist centre, you can book directly with us. We provide a full clinical assessment as part of your initial consultation.

The actual removal usually takes approximately 20 minutes. However, we allow time for the local anaesthetic to take full effect and for your doctor to discuss the aftercare process with you.

Firstly your doctor will assess your mole and then recommend the most appropriate removal technique

• Laser: Fast and effective for smaller moles, offering fast healing and excellent minimal scar results. 
• Shave Excision: Best for protruding/raised moles. It is quick, requires no stitches, and offers excellent cosmetic results.
• Ellipse Excision: Best for deep or suspicious moles. It involves a deeper cut to ensure the entire lesion is removed and requires small stitches.

Your doctor will recommend the best method depending on the nature of your mole. 

Most moles are removed using a combination of surgery and laser to achieve the best cosmetic result. Local anaesthetic is used to ensure the procedure is painless. The commonest way to remove moles that protrude from the skin is by a shave excision. The procedure involves using a dermablade to remove the mole parallel to the surface of the skin. This leaves a small superficial wound which is then cauterised with a laser to stop any bleeding and tidy the wound. The whole process takes about 20 minutes. No stitches are needed and healing takes about 1 to 2 weeks.

Occasionally we use an elliptical excision for moles that are suspicious or where the cosmetic result is likely to be better than a shave excision. It is a deep excision that removes the mole completely. A cautery laser is then used to stop any bleeding. The resulting wound requires stitches which can be either dissolvable or non dissolvable depending on the site of removal.

Your specialist will advise which method of mole removal is most appropriate for you.

Most patients return to work immediately. For light exercise, you can usually resume the next day. If you have stitches in an area under tension (like the back or knee), we may advise avoiding heavy lifting or strenuous sport for 1–2 weeks.

Any surgical intervention results in a mark, but our specialists use refined plastic surgery techniques to ensure any scarring is minimal and often much less noticeable than the original mole. Scars typically fade from pink to skin-toned over several months.

For shave excisions, keeping the wound moist with a thin layer of Vaseline for 1–2 weeks is key. For surgical excisions, we provide specific instructions on keeping the dressing dry and when to return for stitch removal (if they aren't dissolvable).

Mole or cyst removal is relatively simple and in most cases you can return to normal activities the same day.

For shave excisions we normally advise the following aftercare:

• If you have a dressing you will be told when it can be removed;
• Vaseline is normally then applied to keep the wound moist for 1 to 2 weeks until healed;
• The wound will be red for 2 to 3 weeks, which gradually settles over the next few months;
• Massaging with oils or moisturising/silicon (dermatix) creams is advisable after 2 to 3 weeks to help reduce any scarring;
• If there is any increasing pain or redness, consult your doctor.
  For elliptical excisions we normally advise the following aftercare:
• Keep the wound dry for 2 days;
• Dressings can be left for up to a week;
• You will be informed as to whether your stitches are dissolvable or need to be removed;
• Over 1 to 2 weeks, in areas where the skin is under tension such as the back and legs, it is advisable to reduce exercises which would possibly stretch the wound;
• Steri-strips can be applied over the wound for up to 3 weeks to help the wound heal;
• After 3 weeks the wound can be massaged with oils or moisturising creams;
• If there is any increasing pain or redness consult your doctor as it could be a sign of infection.

We don’t normally need to see a patient again after surgery as the wounds heal very quickly.

You will be provided with full aftercare guidance and can get in touch with us if you have any concerns at all.

If you have any problems we will ensure you are dealt with quickly.

Moles are sent for histology testing after the removal.

This is the analysis of the mole which is done at a separate specialised laboratory using a high-powered microscope to detect any abnormal cells.

Although most moles can look normal to the naked eye, occasionally early abnormal cells can be lower in the skin, which could cause skin cancer - hence the need to send for analysis.

We will normally write to you in 1-2 weeks to inform you of the result. If you have any problems we will ensure you are dealt with quickly.

Yes, it is our policy to send all moles for testing after the removal.

Histology is the scientific name for mole testing - the laboratory analysis of the removed tissue under a microscope.

Even if a mole looks "normal" to the eye, histology is the only way to confirm 100% that no abnormal or pre-cancerous cells were present deep in the skin.

Fortunately with mole removal the risks are very low and it is a safe and simple procedure. With any surgical procedure however there are potential side-effects such as infection, bleeding and scarring.

Our doctors are experts in dermatological surgery who ensure the highest standards of care.

We typically receive histology reports back from the lab within 1 to 2 weeks. We will contact you directly with the findings.