Cosmetic Mole Removal
Whether you want to enhance your appearance or be rid of an annoying mole, cosmetic mole removal may be the route for you to be blemish free.
However, please make sure you get your mole surgically removed in the correct fashion by someone in whom you feel absolutely confident can deliver the best surgical treatment possible.
Mr Paul Banwell, Consultant Plastic Surgeon provides safe, expert and effective cosmetic mole removal in the south east of England to a standard that is second to none.
The process starts with a consultation so Mr Banwell can perform a mole check and ensure, for your peace of mind, that you are a candidate for successful treatment.
The examination and mole check will identify and diagnose the type of mole you wish to be removed.
If there are concerns that the moles are not completely benign (harmless growths) then a biopsy (sampling of tissue) for testing – histology – may be recommended.
If you pass the check, and moles are damaging to your self confidence or causing symptoms, you will be able to have your mole removed by one of the UK’s top plastic surgeons and experts in cosmetic skin surgery.
Mr Banwell successfully performs hundreds of similar mole removal procedures and was also the Founder and Head of the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Unit (MASCU) in East Grinstead.
To make your moles disappear, call today on 01342 330302 or book a consultation .
What is Cosmetic Mole Removal?
Cosmetic mole removal involves the surgical removal of moles for cosmetic reasons.
Some moles may look like distinguished beauty spots but others may be unsightly – a blemish you would like to banish.
Moles can also be an annoyance, catching on jewellery or more frustratingly when shaving.
The good news is that you can bid farewell forever to such irritations with minimal or no scarring at one of Mr Banwell’s clinics.
What are Moles?
The medical term for moles is naevus or naevi. They can be raised or flat on the skin; they can be dark or skin coloured.
Most are harmless and can be removed for cosmetic reasons. Some that change over time must be monitored as changing moles and new moles can indicate melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
How are Moles Removed by Plastic Surgeons?
Mr Banwell is a renowned skin expert and removes many moles at his skin clinics without cutting skin or stitches – known as mole shaving (shave excision). If a mole does require the cutting of skin, known as mole excision removal, this too is expertly provided.
Moles are easily removed under only a local anaesthetic so no stays in hospital are needed. Moles on your face and neck are most responsive to mole removal methods.
Removing a mole from other areas is more likely to leave a patch of pale skin. Similar treatment methods for hairy and unsightly moles can also be used for birthmarks, cysts, warts, a skin tag, lesions or other lumps and bumps you may wish to remove. While this page is dedicated to cosmetic mole removal, Mr Banwell can treat skin cancer too.
Mole Removal Methods
Mole Excision
Mole excisions is surgical mole removal with the mole being cut out,commonly called, excision removal. This is performed under local anaesthetic. The resulting wound usually requires stitches – sutures. A small scar will be left which fades in time.
Mole Shaving
A mole removed by shaving – usually a scalpel – under local anaesthetic. This procedure tends to be more common with raised mole removal. Both treatments are quick and painless. You may be treated for anything from 30-60 minutes although you will be in the operating theatre for longer due to preparation and injection of the local anaesthetic.
Aftercare and Recovery
Wound Protection
After the mole removal, the wound is dressed with brown micropore tape. There is no problem getting this tape wet but it is best to avoid bath soaks in favour of showers, which you can take the day after mole removal treatment. It’s vital to make sure the tape is dried properly after wetting, with a hairdryer. This ensures it stays in place until the stitches are removed or a wound check is performed. On some occasions, Mr Banwell will prescribe antibiotics.
Work
The recovery and return to work prognosis is good for mole removal treatment, being very soon after surgery. If you have a sedentary office-type job, you can return to work the next day after removal treatment. Energetic exercise and physical workouts are to be avoided, though, for about two weeks. The stitches are removed 1-2 weeks post procedure at one of our medical clinics. For moles that were shaved, the dressing will simply fall off in time.
Driving
Driving is fine after the procedure as long as care is taken.
Movement
If the mole removal was from the face or neck, it’s important to avoid bending down for 48 hours after treatment. This is to reduce any risks from bleeding. It is advisable to raise the pillows at night so as to avoid lying flat in the bed.
Recovery
Mole removal treatment for cosmetic reasons tends to be a safe, simple procedure free from complications.
Risks Associated with Mole Removals
As mentioned above, this treatment tends to be safe and reliable with a high success rate.
Mr. Banwell strives to keep complications to a minimum and places a premium on safe surgical practice.
But, and there is always a but, any type of surgery can cause complications: it would therefore be remiss for us not to be transparent about what these can be.
The following are possible complications that relate to mole removal and Mr Banwell will discuss these in person : scarring, adverse scarring, wound infection, bleeding, pain, numbness, damage to nerves and vessels, slow wound healing and a lumpy scar forming known as a hypertrophic or keloid scar.
And deeper dissolvable stitches have on rare occasions reacted with the wound weeks after treatment, known as ‘suture spitting’. For peace of mind, when you have your first consultation with the clinic online or in person, potential risks will be explored.
Can You Get Moles Removed for cosmetic reasons on the NHS?
If you are already looking for a plastic surgeon to perform your mole removal then you may already know this. But just in case. The NHS no longer usually performs treatments designated non-essential or low-priority, which includes cosmetic mole removal, for free on the NHS. From the NHS UK website: “Harmless moles are not usually treated on the NHS.”
How Much Does Cosmetic Mole Removal Cost?
The cost of treatment varies depending on the mole removal treatment required. Some may want many moles removed, some just one. Some may need incision, some shaving. But as a benchmark our costs for mole removal start at £320 although London prices may be more
Clinics
Mr Banwell can carry out this treatment at a number of skin clinics on the south east including the London Kent and Sussex areas. But, of course, customers wanting the best can travel from around the UK to one of Mr Banwell’s clinics.
About Mr Banwell
Mr Banwell is a world renowned plastic surgeon who has an exceptional training background and performance record in the field of cosmetic surgery. You can read about his extensive training and expertise in skin treatments and many other fields of plastic surgery here.
Book a mole removal consultation today or call 01342 330302
