What causes moles to form? 

Moles are caused by the overgrowth of melanocytes - these are skin cells that contain the pigment known as melanin. The reason for moles to form is not clearly understood but is thought to be mainly influenced by genetic factors and exposure to UV light from the sun. People who have lighter skin are more likely to have moles. They initially form in childhood and adolescence, however moles also appear in adulthood. 

The majority of moles are completely harmless, but newly appearing or changing moles can be more worrying, and if you are concerned should be checked by your Dermatologist.

What are the reasons to have a mole removed?

Once one of our dermatologists has carried out an examination or mole screening they may recommend mole removal for any of the following reasons…

• The mole is showing signs of skin cancer.
• The mole is atypical in appearance and could become cancerous in the future and is best removed as a precautionary measure.
• The mole is causing you discomfort or its appearance is affecting your self esteem.
• If the mole is a raised mole and is catching on your clothes

Medical mole removal is required if one of our consultants suspects that the mole is actually a type of cancer, e.g. a melanoma. Signs that a mole may be cancerous include:

• sudden appearance of a new mole
• an itchy, red or bleeding mole
• change in shape or colour
• irregularities around the edges (if the edges appear ragged, blurred or notched)

Mole Removal For Cosmetic Reasons

If you wish to get a mole removed for cosmetic reasons, our team of skin specialists are here to help. If you wish to have a benign mole, cyst or other other type of skin lesion removed for cosmetic reasons, you can do so at our clinic. Moles on the face or neck that are always visible are commonly removed for cosmetic reasons.

All moles removed in our clinic are sent for histological analysis, you will get a report letting you know the cell type and whether there were any abnormal cells in the mole or whether the mole was in fact a skin cancer.

Other moles can catch on clothing or jewellery and make you feel self-conscious about your physical appearance. Mole removal is a very straightforward and routine procedure for our Dermatologists. It is important that you are aware of what the outcome of the cosmetic mole removal will be. Any surgical procedure will leave a small scar. Your dermatologist will give you a clear idea of what to expect as this will vary depending on the size, shape and location of the mole. 

Getting a Mole Removed at The Dermatology Clinic London.

Although mole removal is a quick and simple procedure, it must be performed by a qualified doctor. The team at The Dermatology Clinic London  are all Consultant Dermatologists  and have an abundance of clinical expertise and use sterile equipment and aseptic techniques to achieve excellent results.

The exact procedure for removing your mole will depend on its location and size. There are two main methods for removing moles that are carried out at the Dermatology Clinic London.

Shave removal:

The raised part of the mole is removed under a local anaesthetic. A small scab is left following the procedure which is similar in area to the original mole. When the scab has fallen off a small pink or red area is left, this will fade with time and may be slightly paler in colour than the surrounding skin. The surface is usually flat but can still be slightly raised or even slightly dipped compared to the surrounding skin. No stitches are needed for the shave excision method. With time occasionally the flat area can develop some pigmentation and even become more raised as the deeper part of the mole is not fully removed by undertaking a shave excision.

Surgical excision:

This  procedure is also done under local anaesthetic and our Dermatologists use a scalpel to cut the mole from the skin. The gap is then closed with stitches. The procedure will leave a scar, but this will usually fade and become less noticeable over time. More care will need to be taken not to damage the biopsy site and suture whilst it is healing, this may include avoidance of exercise, stretching and heavy lifting at work for several weeks. 

If you have a small raised mole, it may actually be a skin tag which can be removed surgically by shave excision but also sometimes removed with cold liquid nitrogen (this process is called cryotherapy).

Mole Removal Recovery - What to expect after getting a mole removed?

For a couple of weeks after the procedure, the site of surgery may feel uncomfortable and itchy as it heals, but any discomfort or inflammation should soon subside. If you experience any irritation after this time, contact the clinic as soon as you can. You will normally be seen in clinic a week or two after surgery, with the results of the biopsy and when these are discussed the surgical site will be assessed.

Monitoring your moles & skin checks.

It’s important to keep an eye on your moles, particularly if you have a lot of them, are fair-skinned or have a family history of melanoma. It is recommended to perform a regular skin check on a monthly basis, particularly if you have family members who have had moles removed in the past. Some moles are in awkward locations that make checking them difficult, for example on your back. 

The Dermatology Clinic also offers regular mole check sessions to help keep your mind at ease and make sure all your moles are healthy and harmless.

What to expect when visiting our London clinic for mole removal.

When you go for your initial consultation, one of our dermatologists will begin by looking through your medical history and discussing any moles that are of concern to you. They will carry out a physical examination of the mole or moles in question. They may perform a biopsy to be sent off for testing. This is often done at a second visit as the minor procedure room will need to be booked.

Once they have examined the mole or moles in question they will discuss with you the next steps. If any procedures need to be carried out, your consultant will speak to you about what the procedure will entail so that you feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible. They will run through an outline of costs so that there are no surprises.