Mole Removal

What are moles?

Moles are due to growth of skin cells called melanocytes that are situated in the superficial and deeper layers of the skin. They may be raised and skin coloured (intra-dermal naevi) or brown in colour (compound naevi). Facial moles can be skin coloured, a mixture of skin and brown pigment, or brown containing hairs. Skin coloured moles can be safely removed from the skin by a technique called a shave excision. This involves injection of a local anaesthetic followed by gentle shaving using a specialised blade called a Dermablade®. After 7-10 days of healing the skin gradually returns to normal skin colour. Dr Fiona Emerson can use this technique to remove moles and can provide good cosmetic results with rapid healing. Hairy moles and dark pigmented moles are better excised and stitched. We can provide advice on both of these techniques at the clinic.

Skin Coloured Moles (Intra-Dermal Naevi)

Skin coloured moles can usually be safely removed with an excellent cosmetic outcome because the skin cells are superficial and there is a minimal risk of pigment returning.

Pigmented or Hairy Moles (Compound Naevi)

Pigmented moles may be flat, raised or hairy. They are far more difficult to treat because the skin cells are deeper in the skin and unless the cells are removed completely they can recurr or scar. The only effective way to treat these types of moles is surgical excision with stitches or methods that cause scarring of the skin. The cosmetic outcome is far more variable and it is important not to commit to treatment unless the clinical results can produce a scar that is better than the original mole. This can be difficult to achieve even with state-of-the-art surgical equipment or lasers.

Mole removal of intra-dermal naevi by shave excision

Skin coloured moles can be carefully shaved from the surface of the skin . After a small injection of local anaesthetic, we carefully shave off the mole level to the skin surface using specialised surgical blades called Dermablades. We then seal the skin surface using a radiofrequency cautery device or a drying chemical called Driclor. These seal surface blood vessels and this leaves a wound that is like a graze. The graze will typically take 7-10 days to heal and may be red for a few weeks before leaving normal skin or a small white flat mark.

What is the surgical 'down-time' of the procedure?

The skin following shave excision will usually recover within 7-10 days. The skin may ooze like a superficial graze but can be safely covered by make-up within a few hours of the procedure. Most patients can return to work on the same day of the procedure or take a few days off work.

How many moles can be removed a the time of the procedure?

Many patients have multiple facial moles and it is possible to treat several at a time. However, it can sometimes be preferrable to remove one or just a small number of moles to assess your individual wound healing.

What side-effects can occur?

Shave mole removal is generally a very safe procedure and any side-effects are usually temporary. More permanent problems can include a white scar, depressed scar (a depression below the surface of the skin), regrowth of the mole and pigmentation of a previously skin-coloured mole. The risk of side-effects is less than 5% and the vast majority of patients are delighted with the final cosmetic outcome.

Is mole removal permanent?

The vast majority of moles treated by shave excision will result in an excellent scar and only 3-5% of moles will regrow longer-term. If re-growth does occur, it will usually take several years. However, occasionally this re-growth will occur earlier. If retreatment is necessary, we can simply repeat the same process that will leave a similar outcome.

Can we use lasers to remove moles?

We have several lasers at the clinic capable of removing moles. However, surgical shave excision usually results in a better cosmetic outcome and is more predictable.

To find out more about Mole Removal please see our Factsheet below.