Medically Reviewed June 2023, by Daron Seukeran, Group Medical Director, for sk:n. Next review due June 2024.

A mole is a small brown or black patch on the skin, similar to a freckle. Most people have moles, and they’re usually not a problem. Usually, they are round or oval-shaped with a smooth edge; moles can be flat or raised and smooth or rough. Sometimes moles have hair(s) growing from them.  

They are caused by skin cells that form in clusters called ‘melanocytes’, which produce a dark colour on your skin. Typically, people have between 10 to 40 harmless moles on their body. 

Read on to learn more about the mole removal treatments and discover which is the best for you. 

Laser Mole Removal 

If your mole is small, you can have it removed with laser treatment. Laser mole removal uses light energy to break down the pigment within the mole. This removal method is a good option for removing a mole from the face as there is less risk of scarring.

A laser mole removal appointment should take around 30 minutes to complete; this is mainly spent discussing the procedures and the aftercare; the laser treatment only takes about 5 minutes for each mole. 

During the procedure, bursts of light radiation are directed towards the mole, breaking down the skin cells it is composed of. The precision of the laser means that only the mole is removed, and the surrounding area is left unchanged and healthy. 

This procedure should only be used on moles where no biopsy is needed, as this method doesn’t produce a sample that can be used to test for melanoma. 

Laser Mole Removal Healing Time 

Immediately after your procedure, the mole will be gone leaving only a small red mark where the mole was beforehand. The area will heal similarly to a graze, taking around 10 to 14 days to achieve a smooth, pink-ish mark, which will fade after a few weeks. 

It’s best to avoid applying make-up to the affected area until the scab has dropped off and the site is smooth, usually after the 10 to 14 days mentioned above . This is the least “invasive” mole removal procedure. 

Shave Mole Removal 

Moles that protrude from the skin can be ‘shaved’ off under local anaesthetic (this numbs the treated area). This is usually done using a scalpel and is relatively straightforward and painless. 

Your doctor will inject a local anaesthetic, which not only prevents you from feeling pain, it will cause the mole to rise upwards, making it easier to remove. Then they will cut the growth off with a sharp razor, using multiple horizontal incisions. You may feel a slight pushing sensitivity as the cuts are made, but you shouldn’t feel any pain. 

After the procedure, your doctor may apply a chemical, such as aluminium chloride hexahydrate to keep your skin from bleeding. They will then apply a soothing ointment to encourage healing and cover the wound with a sterilised bandage. 

This simple procedure doesn’t require sutures or stitches and is much less invasive than a full-thickness skin excision. Once the mole is removed, it will be sent to a laboratory to be looked at in detail in order to check for any abnormalities or cancers. 

Shave Mole Removal Healing Time

Your doctor will ask you to keep the area of skin dry for 24 hours and provide you with instructions on when to change or remove the bandage. You may be left with a pink mark on your skin where the mole was, but this should fade over time.

You may feel slight discomfort or a burning sensation where the mole was removed, but this can be soothed with over-the-counter pain medication. You can also apply an antibiotic ointment to promote healing. 

It’s essential to keep the area covered when you’re in bright sunlight as sunburn may permanently darken the wound, which will make the scar more noticeable. 

Mole Excision

Some moles, especially larger ones, may need to be cut away via an excision. This procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and requires a small stitch in the skin afterwards.

Also known as a full-thickness skin excision, mole excision removes unwanted moles down to the subcutaneous fat (deepest layer), which means the growth will be unable to return.

 This procedure usually only requires a local anaesthetic, the whole mole and a small amount of skin area will be removed, and the mole will be sent away to be reviewed by specialists in a laboratory.  

Mole Excision Healing Time 

Your wound may need a small number of stitches to close the wound, and the area will be wrapped with a sterilised bandage.  A small scar will be left, which will fade over time.

You should be able to return to work the following day after your procedure unless your work puts a strain on the area that has been stitched. Then, depending on the stitches, you may need to return to have your stitches removed. 

Getting Your Moles Checked

Inspecting your moles can be pretty tricky, especially if the moles have developed in hard to see areas like the shoulders, back, and back of your legs. Getting your moles mapped allows you to check your moles quickly and effectively. 

Spotting your mole early can save your life. There is a 99%, 5-year survival rate for patients whose melanoma is detected early. This drops to 66% if cancer has reached the lymph nodes, 27% if it has already spread to distant organs. 

Sk:n clinics offer all of these treatments to remove moles. 

Key Takeaways

• A mole is a small brown or black patch on the skin, similar to a freckle. Most people have moles, and they’re usually not a problem unless they change shape, size, or colour. 
• Your mole can be removed in a few ways, including laser removal, shave removal, and excision removal. 
• If your mole has changed, you almost definitely need to consider having it removed or at least checked out; this could be a sign of melanoma skin cancer.
• Getting your moles mapped professionally can help you spot a cancerous mole early. 

Find your nearest clinic and arrange a consultation with one of our dermatologists for advice on how and when to remove your mole(s).