plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery
Mole Removal
From £750.00
Mole Removal in Cambridgeshire
Moles, also known as Nevi, are pigmented skin lesions of variable appearance which can occur all over the body. The average adult will have between ten and fifty moles which makes them common and usually of no medical significance. Although moles are generally completely harmless it is important to be aware of any changes to your existing moles, or the development of new moles. Changes in existing moles or the development of new and irregular looking moles can be a sign of skin cancer so it’s important to be aware of your skin and to get your moles checked out by a skin specialist if you have any concerns. For most people wanting their moles removed it is for cosmetic reasons. And it is for this reason that mole removal is a very common procedure at SKINSCAR Clinic.
What is a mole?
The skin is made up of lots of different types of cells. Moles are essentially a cluster of pigmented cells called melanocytes. Pretty much everyone has melanocytes, irrespective of how fair your skin is, and when these pigmented cells group together, a mole is formed. Usually harmless, people can live with moles without any complications, but they can sometimes be a sign of skin cancer. Any new moles or any changes in existing moles should be examined by a skin expert to see if your mole can be left alone or whether it should be removed and tested.
When should I seek advice on my mole?
We recommend seeking professional advice from a skin expert such as Mr Abood or a member of his team if any of your moles exhibit one or more of the following characteristics:
- It is changing or has changed colour.
- It is inflamed, painful or itchy.
- The size or shape has changed.
- It protrudes and catches on clothing, causing irritation.
If your mole demonstrates any of the above characteristics Mr Abood may recommend that it is removed and tested. Not all moles need to be tested and if it’s only a source of cosmetic concern or just gets in the way, then it may just need removing without testing. Mr Abood or a member of his team will be able to advise you on the best approach once your moles have been thoroughly examined in the clinic. Listed below are common reasons why people have their moles removed:
- The mole needs to be removed for identification and treatment to eliminate any risk of skin cancer.
- The mole may become dangerous, and removal now may prevent future complications
- Cosmetically unappealing or because it catches on clothing or during shaving.
The mole removal process considerations
Prior to having your mole removed Mr Abood will go over in detail what’s involved. The procedure is frequently carried-out as an out-patient appointment and as a ‘see and treat’ or ‘one-stop’ appointment if you wish.
All minor skin surgery procedures such as this are undertaken in one of two purpose built operating theatres in the clinic. At the start of the procedure the area is examined again under magnification and bright lights, and the area is marked out using a surgical skin marking pen. Nearly all mole surgery is carried out under a local anaesthetic. This involves a small injection into the skin next to your mole. `It will make the area numb so that the removal process is painless.
Your mole will then either be cut out or shaved off the surface of the skin. Which method is used will depend upon the characteristics of the mole and whether it is being sent away for testing. When a mole is formally cut out, the resulting area is then usually stitched back together. With the shaving techniques, no stitches are needed, and a small dressing is applied at the end of the procedure.
If stitches are used, these may or may not need to be removed depending upon the type of stitch (dissolvable or non-dissolvable).
Recovering from mole removal
Mole removal is carried out as an out-patient procedure. When you leave the clinic, you will be given information about how to look after the area. After most skin surgery a dressing will be placed over the area, and this is usually kept in place for one week. It is usually advisable that the area is kept dry during this period. You can usually return to most normal day to day activities straight away with some with some restrictions to exercise. Healing wounds don’t like to get wet and or sweaty in the early stages of healing so it’s best to avoid this for the first week.
After one week, the dressing can be removed, and you can start to gently wash the area. It’s advisable to use a very simple cleanser with water the first few times.
All surgery will result in a scar but there are several things which can be done to try and minimise this. A key factor in achieving a nicely faded scar involves massaging the scar. This will encourage the scar to soften and fade but needs to be done regularly and for a few minutes at a time. Mr Abood will advise you when to start this and how to go about it. You will also be advised to use sunscreen with a high SPF rating on the area for around 12 months after your procedure to minimise the appearance of the scar.
Mole removal enquiry
Our Locations
9 Harley Street
Marylebone
London
W1G9QY
Tel: 0800 2335088
Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital
30 New Road, Impington
Cambridge
CB24 9EL
Tel: 0800 2335088
Magog Court
Tel: 0800 2335088
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