Patient guide
Mole removal: when to get a mole checked and your options
By the SkinOps team · Updated · 3 min read
Based on information from the NHS website. This guide is waiting for review by a clinician and is not medical advice.
Almost everyone has a few moles. They are small coloured spots on the skin, and the vast majority never cause a problem.
What matters is change. A mole that grows, changes shape or changes colour is worth showing to a GP, even if it does not hurt. This guide covers what to look out for and what your options are if you would like a mole removed.
What a normal mole looks like
Harmless moles tend to be round or oval with a smooth edge. They can be flat or raised, smooth or a little rough, and some have hair growing from them. On brown and black skin, moles are often darker.
Moles also change naturally over a lifetime. Babies can be born with them, and new moles often appear during childhood and the teenage years. Some fade or disappear as people get older, and moles can get a little darker during pregnancy.
Changes that mean you should see a GP
Keep an eye on your moles and book a GP appointment if you notice any of the following:
- a mole that changes size, shape or colour
- a mole with an uneven edge, or more than 2 colours
- a mole that is painful or itchy
- a mole that bleeds, looks crusty or becomes inflamed
- a new or unusual mark on your skin that has not gone after a few weeks
Do not wait to get it checked
These changes can be a sign of melanoma, a type of skin cancer, so a GP needs to take a look. A private cosmetic clinic is not a substitute for that check.
Can the NHS remove a mole?
If a mole could be cancerous, the NHS will treat it. Melanoma is removed with surgery.
The NHS does not remove harmless moles for cosmetic reasons. If a mole is not a health concern but you do not like how it looks, or it catches on clothing, you would need to pay for removal at a private clinic.
Before you book a private removal
The NHS advises choosing a practitioner who is trained and experienced in the procedure, and who has the right insurance to put things right if something goes wrong. Book a consultation first and use it to ask plenty of questions, including what the procedure involves and what could go wrong.
You should be offered a cooling-off period after the consultation, so you do not have to decide on the spot. When comparing prices, check what is included, such as aftercare.
If your procedure is done under local anaesthetic, you stay awake but the area is numbed. You may feel warmth or tingling as it starts to work, and some bruising or tingling afterwards as the numbness wears off. Take care not to knock or scratch the area until the feeling comes back.
Looking after your skin
Protecting your skin from the sun is one of the most useful things you can do. The NHS recommends:
- staying out of the sun between 11am and 3pm
- covering up with clothing, a hat and sunglasses
- using sunscreen of at least SPF30 and reapplying it after swimming
- avoiding sunbeds and sunlamps