Mole Removal

What are Moles?

Moles are very common. They are due to proliferation of melanocytes (pigment cells) within the skin. Moles can be flat or raised, oval or circular and can range from pink or brown to black in colour.

In rare circumstances a cancer known as Melanoma can arise within a pre-existing mole. These moles will need to be removed for the safety of the patient. In most cases however, moles are benign and harmless. Often, patients would like them removed for visual or practical reasons. Moles can often catch on necklaces or tight clothing, which can cause discomfort.

What is included in the Free Consultation?

Your free consultation will be with one of our Surgical Nurses. During the consultation, they will assess your mole and decide whether it is suitable for treatment and what type of treatment would be most beneficial. Most free consultations are carried out digitally via an Online Consultation. On the day of your procedure, you will also be assessed by the Doctor; this is included in the overall cost of the treatment.

What is included in the cost of the procedure?

• Initial consultation with one of our Surgical Nurses. This can be carried tout in the clinic or over the telephone (after submitting an Online Consultation - ideal for patients travelling from a distance or for those who have limited time available).
• Consultation with the Consultant / Doctor on the day of the procedure
• The procedure itself
• Post procedure care pack
• Optional 2 week review appointment with one of our Clinical Nurses (usually not required, but please do ask if you would like an additional review appointment.)

Am I at risk?

This is a very safe minor procedure. We carry out thousands of mole removals each year and complications are very rare.

What about skin cancer?

A fully qualified Doctor or Surgeon with experience in screening moles for signs of cancer will carefully examine your mole before any treatment commences and also check your medical background.

If there is any doubt, you will be referred back to your GP.

If your Doctor or Surgeon has any concerns about whether a mole may be cancerous, we offer an histology testing service at a cost of £125 for one mole and £95 for additional moles on the same day.

Examples of moles that are suspicious for malignancy

Examples of moles that are benign (non-suspicious)

How will my mole be removed?

As mentioned there are two methods of mole removal at Skin Surgery Clinic in Leeds:

1. Laser Mole Removal: We use the C02RE laser for laser mole removal. The treatment is carried out with an injection of local anaesthetic to reduce discomfort and the laser quickly and easily ablates the mole. The treated area will appear red after treatment, but this should be temporary and you will be given advice on how to care for the treated area.
2. Surgical Mole Removal: The other method of mole removal is by surgical excision. This treatment is also carried out under local anaesthetic to reduce discomfort. The Doctor will use a scalpel to excise the mole, leaving a small linear scar roughly the size of the mole removed. The wound is then stitched and a dressing applied and again, you will be given advice on how to care for the area post treatment.