MOLE REMOVAL

Short Summary

If a mole or lesion at Dr Sultan’s clinic is benign, removal options include:

  • Minor surgical excision: local anaesthetic, scalpel removal, sutured closure.

  • Cryotherapy (CryoPen): precision freezing for superficial lesions (skin tags, warts); quick, minimally invasive, short healing.

  • Shave or curettage: raised superficial lesions removed flush with skin under local anaesthetic; efficient but may leave a small scar.

  • Laser mole removal: CO₂ laser precisely removes raised and flat benign lesions while sealing small blood vessels to minimise bleeding. No cutting or stitching is required for suitable lesions.

At your consultation, Dr Sultan will carefully assess the lesion to confirm it is suitable for cosmetic removal, recommend the most appropriate treatment method, explain the risks and benefits of each option, discuss whether histological analysis is recommended, and provide detailed aftercare advice.

Key Information

Price: From £400

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Areas: Face, neck, body

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Time: 15-30 minutes

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Recovery: Variable (typically 5–7 days for laser treatments and longer following surgical excision)

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Pain: none - mild

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Frequency: Once

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Additional information

  • Even when a mole is benign, removal can offer several benefits:

    • Cosmetic improvement: eliminates a visible blemish or irritation, boosting confidence.

    • Prevents irritation: removes a mole prone to rubbing, snagging or bleeding from clothing or jewellery.

    • Simplifies monitoring: reduces worry and removes the need for ongoing surveillance or photos.

    • Diagnostic certainty: excision allows full histological examination to confirm benignity

    Even when a mole is benign, removal can offer several benefits:

    • Cosmetic improvement: eliminates a visible blemish or irritation, boosting confidence.

    • Prevents irritation: removes a mole prone to rubbing, snagging or bleeding from clothing or jewellery.

    • Simplifies monitoring: reduces worry and removes the need for ongoing surveillance or photos.

    • Diagnostic certainty: excision allows full histological examination to confirm benignity and exclude atypia.

    Dr Sultan offers several removal techniques, allowing treatment to be tailored to the type, size, depth and location of each lesion to achieve the best cosmetic outcome while maintaining safety.

  • In addition to benign moles, Dr Sultan can treat a wide range of benign skin lesions including:

    • Milia

    • Skin tags

    • Sebaceous hyperplasia

    • Syringomas

    • Xanthelasma (cholesterol deposits around the eyelids)

    • Fordyce spots

    • Dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN)

    • Montgomery glands

    • Selected benign warts and other raised skin lesions

    The most appropriate treatment method will depend on the diagnosis, location and cosmetic considerations.

  • CO₂ laser mole removal uses highly precise ablative laser energy to gently vaporise benign raised or flat skin lesions. The laser simultaneously seals small blood vessels, reducing bleeding while preserving surrounding healthy tissue.

    For skin resurfacing and certain superficial lesions, the laser works using fractional technology, creating microscopic treatment channels that stimulate collagen production and skin regeneration while leaving surrounding tissue intact. This promotes smoother healing and excellent cosmetic outcomes.

  • Removing a mole is generally well tolerated.

    • Minor surgical excision is performed under local anaesthetic and is essentially painless.

    • Cryotherapy causes a brief stinging sensation.

    • CO₂ laser treatment is performed after application of a strong topical numbing cream and, where appropriate, local anaesthetic. Most patients experience only warmth or tingling during treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • General aftercare includes:

    • Keep the treated area clean and dry for the first 24 hours.

    • Wash gently using lukewarm water.

    • Do not apply retinol, acids or Vitamin C for 24 hours.

    • Avoid makeup over the treated area for 24 hours.

    • Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas and hot baths for 24 hours.

    • Avoid excessive sun exposure.

    • Wear SPF50 with high UVA protection once healing allows.

    Following CO₂ laser treatment specifically:

    • Apply Vaseline® or Aquaphor® as advised to keep the area moisturised.

    • Do not pick any crusting or flaking skin.

    • Avoid make-up for around 48 hours or until advised.

    • Continue gentle skincare until the skin has completely healed.

  • Recovery depends on the treatment performed.

    Following CO₂ laser treatment, healing generally progresses as follows:

    • Days 1–2: warmth, redness and mild swelling are common.

    • Days 2–4: crusting develops as healing begins.

    • Days 4–6: mild itching may occur.

    • Days 5–7: most patients are comfortable returning to normal social activities.

    • Over the following months: collagen continues to remodel for up to 6–9 months, improving skin quality.

    Recovery following surgical excision is generally longer due to stitches and wound healing, while CryoPen and shave removal usually heal within a few days to two weeks depending on lesion size.

  • Prior to arrival

    • Stop using irritating skincare products (retinoids, acids, Vitamin C and scrubs) one week beforehand.

    • If taking blood-thinning medication (including aspirin or ibuprofen), discuss this with your prescribing doctor before treatment.

    On arrival

    Dr Sultan will perform a full consultation to assess the lesion, confirm that it appears benign, review your medical history and discuss your treatment goals. Clinical photographs may be taken for your records.

    Once a treatment plan has been agreed, the lesion will be removed using the most appropriate technique, whether laser, shave excision, surgical excision or cryotherapy. Local anaesthetic will be used where required to maximise comfort.

    Results

    Most lesions are removed in a single treatment. Healing time varies according to the treatment performed, lesion size and body site.

    Where appropriate, removed tissue may be sent for histological examination. Dr Sultan will arrange follow-up if required and monitor healing to ensure the best cosmetic result.

  • The risk of noticeable scarring following CO₂ laser mole removal is extremely low when performed by an experienced clinician. Dr Sultan has treated over 10,000 benign skin lesions over the past decade with excellent cosmetic outcomes.

    Following removal, the treated area commonly appears pink or light brown for several weeks before gradually returning to its normal skin colour. This temporary colour change is part of normal healing and should not be mistaken for scarring.

  • CO₂ laser is particularly suitable for patients wishing to:

    • Remove raised or flat benign skin lesions without stitches.

    • Improve skin texture alongside lesion removal.

    • Minimise downtime compared with traditional surgery where appropriate.

    • Treat facial lesions with excellent cosmetic outcomes.

    Suitability depends on the lesion type, skin tone and medical history, which will all be assessed during consultation.

  • The treatment is unsuitable for:

    • Patients who are pregnant.

    • Patients who are breastfeeding.

    • Patients with suspicious pigmented lesions that require urgent assessment or biopsy before cosmetic removal.

    • Patients with active skin infection in the treatment area.

    • Patients with certain medical conditions or medications that impair wound healing, where treatment may need to be postponed.