Mole Removal

I am concerned about a mole
I want a mole removed
I have a lot of moles

Mole Removal is an operation to remove the mole often due to changes in shape, colour, is unsightly, painful or restricting your movement. Removing a mole is usually a quick & straightforward procedure & is often performed as an out-patient or day-case.

A common mole is a coloured spot on the skin that develops when pigment cells (melanocytes) grow in clusters. The medical term for moles is melanocytic naevi and most adults usually have between 10 and 40 on their body. Although common moles may be present at birth, they usually appear later in childhood and increase during teenage years. During pregnancy moles often get darker and they can fade away completely from around the age of 50.

Mole Removal is an operation to remove the mole. This may be because it has shown changes in shape or colour, or is unsightly, painful or restricting your movement. Removing a mole is usually a quick and straightforward procedure and is often performed as an out-patient or day-case procedure, with no overnight stay.

The operation is usually carried out under a local anaesthetic, which means that the affected skin area will be completely numb but you stay awake. Sedative drugs can be given with a local anaesthetic to help you feel relaxed during the procedure.

In some cases, a local anaesthetic and/or sedation is not needed. This will depend on the type of treatment you are having and the size, location and number of moles that need removing.

The exact technique used for removing the mole depends on factors such as what condition it is, its size and location.

Most moles are removed with a scalpel and the wound closed with stitches. Some moles may be shaved down to the level of the surrounding skin. Alternatively some may be frozen off with cold liquid nitrogen gas or destroyed with a precision high-energy laser.

The operation will usually leave a scar. How big and noticeable this will be depends on the exact operation. It's quite normal for a scab to develop and this will generally heal within a week or two. Any inflammation will usually disappear within a few weeks. Most scars fade significantly over the first year.

More than 1 in 3 melanoma skin cancers appear in those aged under 55 and it is the second most common cancer in those aged 15 to 34.

Mole removal starts from around £250 per mole.