Mole removal · Skin lesion removal
Mole removal: Compare practices from our network
Mole removal is a short procedure under local anesthesia to remove a mole, skin tag or other skin lesion. A mole that is changing should be checked by a doctor first.
Our network
Mole removal providers from Adoreal's partner network.
London · United Kingdom
iQonic Aesthetics
Assessment and removal of moles and skin lesions, mostly under local anesthesia, with a biopsy first where needed.
London · United Kingdom
iQonic Aesthetics
Assessment and removal of moles and skin lesions, mostly under local anesthesia, with a biopsy first where needed.
Ready to see who performs mole removal near you?
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How to choose a practice for mole removal
Board certification is the starting point. The details below are worth weighing carefully when you're choosing the practice who's right for your goals.
Here's what to look for before you decide:
A worrying mole is assessed first, by the right person.
If a mole is new, changing, bleeding or itchy, the first step is an assessment by your GP or a dermatologist, not a cosmetic booking. A practice that tells you this plainly is putting your health first.
Ask whether the tissue will be sent for testing.
Removed tissue is often examined under a microscope to confirm what it was and that it has been fully removed. Ask whether this is included, who decides, and how you will receive the result.
The method decides the scar and the chance of regrowth.
A full excision with stitches removes the whole mole and leaves a line scar; a shave removal needs no stitches but can occasionally regrow. A practice that explains why it recommends one for you is helping you weigh the trade-off.
Expect an honest answer about the scar.
Every removal leaves a mark, and an excision scar is usually two to three times longer than the mole itself. Some areas, such as the chest and shoulders, are prone to wide or raised scars. A practice that tells you this before you book is being straight with you.
Look for clear aftercare and follow-up.
Taping or silicone, sun protection and a plan for stitch removal all affect the result. A practice that explains aftercare and is available if the wound or the mole changes is one you can rely on.
Before your consultation, prepare this question
“Which method would you use for this mole, will it be sent for testing, and how long will the scar be?”
A practice that answers all three, and tells you when a mole needs a doctor's assessment first, is putting your health ahead of a booking.
Find a Mole Removal ProviderAbout the treatment
About mole removal
Most moles are harmless and do not need treating. Some people still choose to have one removed because it bothers them, catches on clothing or jewelry, or sits somewhere prominent. The same short procedure is used for other benign skin lesions, such as skin tags, seborrheic keratoses and cherry angiomas.
Removal is done under local anesthesia. The removed tissue is often sent to a laboratory and examined under a microscope, which confirms what the lesion was and that it has been fully removed.
Common methods
- Excision with stitches, where the mole is cut out with a small margin of skin, usually as an oval so the wound closes flat. This removes the whole mole and leaves a fine line scar.
- Shave removal, where a raised mole is removed level with the skin, with no stitches. There is a small chance it grows back.
- Punch removal, where a very small mole is removed with a round blade, sometimes with a single stitch.
- Laser or diathermy, sometimes used to remove a mole superficially, only when the doctor is confident it is an ordinary mole.
What is mole removal?
Mole removal is a short procedure under local anesthesia to remove a mole or another benign skin lesion, such as a skin tag.
A mole that is new or changing should be checked by a GP or dermatologist first.
The methods available
The method depends on the mole and where it is:
Excision with stitches, removing the whole mole and leaving a fine line scar.
Shave removal, level with the skin and without stitches, with a small chance of regrowth.
Punch removal, for very small moles.
Laser or diathermy, superficial removal of an ordinary mole.
Is it right for you?
Cosmetic mole removal may suit you if you are:
Bothered by a mole that a doctor considers harmless
Troubled by a mole that catches or rubs
Comfortable that a small scar will replace the mole
In good general health
The treatment, step by step
01. Assessment. The lesion is examined and the method chosen.
02. Preparation. Tell the practice about anesthetic reactions, blood thinners or bleeding problems.
03. Local anesthetic. The area is numbed with a small injection.
04. Removal. By excision, shave, punch or another method.
05. Closing. Stitches and a dressing, or no stitches for a shave.
06. Laboratory examination. Where needed, with results in three to six weeks.
Recovery and aftercare
Most people return to normal activities the same day or within a day or two.
Keep the dressing clean and dry
Stitches out after one to three weeks
Tape or silicone on the scar for around six months, if advised
Protect the scar from the sun for the first months
The scar settles over six months to a year.
Risks and side effects
Complications are uncommon, but a scar always remains:
Visible scar, sometimes wider or raised.
Infection, which can worsen the scar.
Bruising or bleeding, more likely with blood thinners.
Regrowth, possible after a shave removal.
Reaction to dressings, from the wound tape.
When to seek medical attention
- Increasing redness, warmth, swelling or pain around the wound
- Pus or discharge from the wound, or a fever
- Bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure
- A wound that opens after stitches are removed
- A treated area where the mole grows back or changes
Contact the practice that treated you, or your GP, if you notice any of the above. Seek emergency care if you feel very unwell.
Common questions
Mole removal questions, answered.
If your question isn't here, ask us directly. A real person answers, and we won't push you toward anything.
Talk to us →How do I know if my mole is harmless?
You cannot always tell by looking, and this page cannot tell you. See your GP or a dermatologist if a mole is new or unusual, has changed in size, shape or color, or is painful, itchy, bleeding or crusty. Finding a melanoma early can make it easier to treat.
Is mole removal painful?
A local anesthetic numbs the area, so you may feel a brief sting from the injection but not the removal itself. The wound can feel tender for a day or so.
Will I have a scar?
Yes, always. An excision scar is usually two to three times longer than the mole, because the wound is shaped as an oval so it closes flat. It is red at first and usually settles over six months to a year.
Will the mole be tested?
Often. The doctor who removes it decides whether the tissue goes for laboratory examination, which confirms what it was and that it has been fully removed. Results usually take three to six weeks. At private practices this may be an extra cost.
Can a mole grow back?
A fully excised mole does not usually come back. After a shave removal, part of the mole can remain and regrow; if that happens it can be reassessed and removed again.
Will the NHS or public healthcare remove my mole?
Publicly funded removal is generally for medical reasons, such as a suspected skin cancer. Removal for cosmetic reasons is usually paid for privately, in both the UK and Sweden.
Can skin tags and other lesions be removed too?
Yes. The same short procedures are used for skin tags and other benign lesions, such as seborrheic keratoses and cherry angiomas.
How long does it take?
A small mole usually takes about 10 to 20 minutes, and most removals around 30 minutes. A large lesion or one in a difficult place can take longer.
When can I go back to work?
Most people return to normal activities the same day or within a day or two. Avoid stretching the area for at least a month where the skin moves a lot.
How should I care for the scar?
Keep the dressing clean and dry until stitches are removed, then tape the scar or use silicone for around six months if advised, and protect it from the sun for the first months.
