Many of us have moles on our bodies, and some people may be concerned about their appearance particularly if they are on an exposed part of the body which is visible to others. Examples include the face, neck or arms. Regardless of their location, there are several effective treatment options to get rid of moles. The procedure is commonly undertaken by a wide variety of practitioners, including general practitioners and dermatologists. Although mole removal may seem simple and straightforward, it’s essential to choose the right specialist to remove your mole to get the best results.
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The key to mole removal involves delicate surgical technique and meticulous stitching off the incision so that any scars are barely visible after treatment. Choosing to have mole removal with a plastic surgeon means you’ll have a higher likelihood of having a better-looking scar which is barely noticeable, and this may help to boost your self-confidence.
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What does mole removal involve?
Mole removal is a minor surgical procedure carried out as an outpatient, which means you’ll be able to go home once the procedure has been completed. You will first need to have a face-to-face mole check with a plastic surgeon. They will take a medical history, including any history of skin cancer and previous treatments for moles. A physical examination will then be carried out to assess your moles and their suitability for surgical removal. The mole removal procedure can be scheduled either on the same day or on a later day, depending on your preference. Your surgeon will use one of two methods to remove your mole, including shave excision and surgical excision. The exact type of treatment used will depend on the type and size of your mole.
Shave excision involves using a specialised blade to shave the mole off the skin’s surface; this is an effective treatment for smaller moles with a more superficial location in the skin. Surgical excision involves the removal of them all with a scalpel, followed by stitching the incision with dissolvable stitches. Surgical excision is more appropriate for moles located in the deeper layers of the skin and may have a broader base.
Whether you have a shave or surgical excision, both treatments are carried out under a local anaesthetic, which means you will be comfortable during and after the procedure.
How to minimise scarring after mole removal?
Most people are concerned about the potential appearance of the skull after mole removal. For moles located in areas hidden beneath clothing or in natural skin folds, concerns over scarring may not be as significant as it can be easily concealed. However, if a mole is located on the face, it is essential to achieve surgical excision and produce a scar that looks as minimal as possible after mole removal. Our plastic surgeons are experts in facial skin lesion removal and facial scar revision.
We recommend choosing a plastic surgeon to perform your mole removal procedure. Plastic surgeons have undertaken many years of training and are experts in minimising the appearance of scars to achieve optimal cosmesis. When performing mole removal, your plastic surgeon will take great care to position incisions in such a way that they heal with minimal scarring. This principle is used for any cosmetic surgery procedure at Centre for Surgery, including breast augmentation, tummy tuck or rhinoplasty.
Your plastic surgeon will use specialised techniques to minimise scars, which is why the procedure may take longer when carried out by a plastic surgeon. They are taking their time to produce optimum cosmetic results. This may not be the case when the procedure is carried out by a GP or dermatologist, where the priority is to remove the mole without caring attention being given to the resulting scar.
What are the benefits of mole removal in London?
Most mole removal procedures at Centre for Surgery are carried out for cosmetic reasons. However, many moles may appear suspicious or have clinical features suggesting cancerous changes. In these cases, removing the cancerous moles can help to avoid serious medical complications. If you are concerned about the appearance of your mole, it is a good idea to have it assessed by a plastic surgeon to rule out any underlying cancerous changes which may signify skin cancer. At Centre for Surgery, we operate a same-day assessment and treatment service for people who are concerned about the appearance of their moles. We have made it as easy as possible to get your mole removed with a minimum of fuss, and you do not need a GP referral to access our mole removal service in London.
