Moles can quite literally come in all shapes and sizes. Some are brownish in colour, some are darker or even skin-coloured. They can be flat or raised, smooth or rough, and some have hair growing from them.
Most moles are completely harmless. But moles on your face or body can have a negative effect on your confidence. They can also be a nuisance, catching on your clothing and getting cut when you shave.
Most moles are non-cancerous but in rare cases they can develop into melanoma, a serious and aggressive form of skin cancer. Melanomas are usually dark, fast-growing spots where there was no spot before, or a pre-existing mole that changes size, shape or colour and bleeds.
Whether you believe your moles to be harmless or not, it’s wise to check your skin every few months for new moles, or changes to existing moles. Here’s what to look out for:
Both forms of moles, cancerous, or non-cancerous, can be surgically treated. Even moles you’re simply self-conscious about can be treated easily, and there’s little or no scarring. We can advise you about how to treat or remove suspicious moles, and we can also arrange a full biopsy for you.
Once your mole has been assessed, shaving may be an option. This is only suitable for raised moles. We administer a local anaesthetic then we remove the mole close to the skin so you don’t need stitches. Bear in mind there is always a risk that the same mole can grow back.
This is the most common method for removing raised moles on the face or body, but we can also remove flat moles this way. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, leaving a small scar behind where the mole was, and you will usually need a few small stitches. Your stitches will stay in place for 7-10 days, depending on the area. We might send your mole away for analysis, to reassure you there were no abnormal cells.
Before you leave the clinic we will apply a small dressing to the area. You can remove it 24 hours later.
