Mole Removal

Doctor Consultation

Doctor consultations are purely for the moles patients request to have assessed for removal and do not constitute a full body mole check. This is available as a separate service for a top-to-toe review of your skin and identification of any worrying lesions.

We charge £50 for a skin tag consultation with one of our experienced doctors.
Prices for treatments carried out in the same appointment as the consultation will include the £50 consultation fee (note: same day procedures are only undertaken where the procedure is deemed appropriate to do so AND the patient understands the full extent of the costs, risks and potential side effects and is consenting to proceed on that knowledge).

Histology/Testing

* Histology or mole testing – It is our policy that ALL mole specimens deemed appropriate are sent for testing for patient safety, good clinical practice and ultimate peace of mind.

This involves the mole that is removed being sent to another laboratory where it is examined by a doctor to ensure all the layers of the skin are normal. Very occasionally even moles that look fine after removal can be found to have abnormalities lower down. This microscopic histopathology testing is the only 100% guarantee the mole is normal.

We charge the lowest prices possible for histology as we realise patients often feel it is not required, but occasionally rare or suspicious things are detected early on in lesions that can look normal, which is why this is good practice. We make no financial gain from this service.

Histology / testing of the removed skin lesion is mandatory if the Doctor recommends it to ensure there are no abnormalities. The doctor will clarify this at the consultation and may refuse to do the treatment if the client refuses the histology recommendation or else ask the client to sign a document stating they went against the Doctors advice.

Any test results or correspondence will be sent to your email account via an encrypted system called Egress. Should this not be preferable, please let us know at your appointment.

Your Consultation

At your consultation your mole will be examined by one of our expert skin doctors to assess the best method of removal often using a polarised light (dermatocope) to help identify the type and depth of the mole. This revolutionary device makes our assessment of moles much more accurate and helps decide the best way to remove certain moles. Full body mole checks are also available.

Occasionally, if we feel the cosmetic outcome would not be beneficial, we would advise against any treatment.  However, our range of treatments means that the vast majority of moles can be removed quickly, easily and painlessly.

Treatment Options – laser, surgery, freezing

– Shave excision surgery – no stitches& takes 5 minutes. Best for raised moles. Most popular

– Ellipse excision surgery – involves stitches & takes 20 minutes. Best for flat or suspicious moles.

– Laser treatments – for small warts, moles, skin tags and red blemishes. Takes a few minutes.

– Cryotherapy / Freezing – for warts, skin tags and minor skin blemishes. Takes a few seconds. – Radiosurgery mole removal for benign protruding moles.

‘See and treat’ service

At all our clinics our doctors offer same day mole removal that means just the one appointment and the procedure done there and then. Our latest techniques often mean no follow up appointments are required either as each clinic is specifically designed for mole removal by laser and or surgery.

‘See and treat’ same day procedures are only undertaken where the procedure is deemed appropriate to do so AND the patient understands the full extent of the costs, risks and potential side effects and is consenting to proceed on that knowledge)

As part of the consultation we discuss all the risks, benefits and likely results as part of our full informed consent process. Pictures may also often be taken as part of the assessment that are kept as a confidential record of before the procedure.

After the procedure you can resume normal activities in most cases and a dressing is applied to eeep the wound clean for a few days.

Before and after photos for mole, skin tag and wart removal can be seen on our picture gallery.

Histology / Testing of the Mole

Once the moles are removed in most cases the removed piece of skin is sent for testing at a separate laboratory where it is examined under a microscopy by a pathologist doctor to ensure they are no early changing cells lower down in the skin that is not always visible to the naked eye. This practice of sending the moles for testing is the gold standard and anything less does not meet good medical practice.

Regardless of which procedure is undertaken, it is our policy to send all specimens we deem appropriate for testing. Mole testing is carried out at a separate laboratory where the excised mole tissue is examined under a microscope by a specialist doctor to ensure that there are no early changes. This is for patient safety and good clinical practice.

Information on Skin Moles

Moles on the face and body are common and we often get more moles as we age. Moles that have never changed or have grown as we age are rarely a problem unless they catch when shaving or on clothes or are simply cosmetically unacceptable. Other moles that change rapidly in size shape and color and are new moles often need to be assessed by your doctor to ensure it is not a worrying or suspicious mole.

Cosmedics offer painless mole removal surgery or laser mole removal for all facial and body moles. Treatment only takes about 20 minutes at our clinics in Bristol and London.

Patient Review

“I was so nervous about needles that I nearly did not have it done. I dont know why I was worrying as it was all over so quickly and really did not feel a thing.  Cosmedics really did look after me as they were so professional and understanding”

Kim D. Brighton

Who will benefit from mole removal, skin tag or wart removal?

Mole removal is advised for men and women who have either:

• a cosmetic mole that is often on the face, nose or body ie unsightly or irritating, or catching on clothing or a razor; or moles that are flat or raised or have some degree of color can often be unsightly, catch on clothing and generally be a nuisance.
• a suspicious mole that is changing in size, shape or colour and/or itches and bleeds

Why does my mole need testing?

Mole removal and subsequent testing or histology of the mole or skin lesion is the only way of 100% diagnosis where there is a risk it may become malignant (cancerous). Clinical observation and dermascopic examination by doctors are an aide to help decide which maybe problematic but do not give a 100% diagnosis which is why all moles are sent for testing. Cosmedics send all moles to be independently analysed for our patients’ peace of mind.

What are moles?

Moles (or naevi) are a collective term for most skin lumps or blemishes that are often present on the face and body. They can be raised or flat, skin coloured or dark. Most are harmless but any changing moles should be examined by a doctor. Even harmless moles can be unwanted and yet are very simple to remove with the latest techniques.

How is mole removal done?

Mole removal from the face and body is done using a combination of surgery and laser to achieve the best cosmetic result. Local anaesthetic is used to ensure the procedure is painless. The most common 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 cosmetic mole removal is most appropriate for you. Radiosurgery can be also used where we feel the lesion would leave better results and less scarring. For a consultation or further advice please call us on 020 7386 0464.

How much does mole removal cost ?

Mole removal cost starts from £295 and the prices are totally inclusive of all fees apart from histology which is from £80.

How can I be sure these I will get the best results

Our team not only uses the best and latest mole removal procedures but our aftercare protocol ensures quick healing and minimal scarring. As part of our aftercare we recommend the use of Kelo-cote UV silicon scar gel that is clinically proven to reduce scarring and protects the healing wound from sunlight.

Cosmedics now stock this product with UV protection which protects the healing wound from sunlight (which can delay healing). This means mole removal is ideal all year round with this added sun protection and you can be sure you are getting the best outcome possible.

What happens to the mole / skin tag after it has been removed?

Most moles are sent for histology 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.

Are the moles tested / histology ?

Yes our medical guidelines state that we should send ALL mole specimens for testing. The lesion / specimen goes to a separate laboratory and is examined under a microscope by another  specialisted histopathology doctor. This is the ONLY 100% way to determine if a mole is atypical or not as often normal looking moles can be ok on the surface but abnormal lower down. This costs from £80.

Will I have a scar after the mole / skin tag removal?

All mole removal procedures, both surgical and laser, will leave a small scar which is normally far less noticeable than the original mole. We use the latest techniques to ensure any scarring is minimal. Rarely, some people with very dark or light skin have an abnormal response to healing and end up with larger scars than usual (hypertrophic or keloid scars).

What are the risks of mole removal?

Fortunately, with mole removal, the risks are very low and it is a safe and simple procedure. With any cosmetic plastic surgery procedure however there are potential side-effects such as infection, bleeding and scarring. At Cosmedics our doctors who are experts in dermatological surgery will ensure the highest standards of care.

What happens after mole removal surgery?

Skin moles removal surgery is relatively simple and in most cases you can return to normal activities the same day.

Where are your clinics that perform mole removal?

Cosmedics UK have a mole removal clinics in Harley Street, City of London, Putney, Knightsbridge, Canary Wharf and Bristol.

What information about mole removal is available on the NHS?

Cosmetic mole removal by laser or surgery is not performed on the nhs and waiting times for non urgent care can be very long. Cosmedics clinics are specialist in mole removal and we are able to charge affordable prices compared to private hospitals.

Do you advise mole removal cream at home or any over the counter remedies?

We advise patients that to get rid of moles at home using various over the counter remedies or creams such as bloodroot, vinegar and other acids is not recommended. It is not safe to remove a colored mole if you dont know what type of mole it is and also the scarring can be far worse than with conventional procedures.

Aftercare recommendations

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 (bio-oil) or moisturising (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 bio-oil or silicon scar creams (dermatix);
• If there is any increasing pain or redness consult your doctor as it could be a sign of infection.

How best can I reduce the scarring?

Scarring is inevitable will all forms of mole removal however the skill of the surgeon is to limit this to a minimal degree that is almost not noticeable. The mole removal technique is one important factor to help achieve the best results but also daily massaging with a scar treatment moisturiser over the scarred area can help in the first 3 months. These silicon scar reduction gels can also come in plaster like dressings rather than gels that can be easier for areas where gels are not suitable.

What techniques are available with bad scarring to help improve them?

Silicon gels can be used as well as massaging however this can be slow and not always work. The worst forms of scarring are hypertrophic or keloid scarring that commonly occur in fair skin or darker skin types in areas such as the chest, breast and shoulders. Treatments for this are difficult and in some cases can make them worse. The main treatments involve steroid injections into the scar or steroid tape. These often need to be repeated every 2-3 months to see the best results. IPL laser can also help reduce the redness.

What aftercare is provided?

We don’t normally need to see a patient again after mole, skin tag removal surgery as the wounds heal very quickly. If we decided to send any moles for testing we will write to you in 1 to 2 weeks to inform you of the result. If you have any problems we will ensure they are dealt with quickly.