Mole Removal Surgery (2023)

Skin Mole Removal Surgery in Sydney by Plastic Surgeons

Moles are of many different types. Approximately 1% of newborns are born with some kind of mole. Most moles are usually harmless and noncancerous. But sometimes moles also evolve into melanomas.

Given the risk for developing malignancy, moles often require expert treatment to remove them completely.

Sydney Specialist Plastic Surgeons Dr Varun Harish, Dr Hari Alaniand Dr Michael Kernohan perform skin surgery and mole removal. They perform mole excision in clinics located in across Sydney, Sydney Southwest suburbs and Southern Ranges.

The Pure Visage Plastic Surgery Clinic is located in Gregory Hills.

What’s a Mole?

A mole is a benign (noncancerous) tumour on the skin. Clinically, it’s referred to as a nevus or nevi for more than one.

Most moles tend to be small
A mole can be smooth or raised skin growths
They often appear as round to oval, pigmented protuberances
Some moles have a mammillated surface with hair on it
People with moles tend to have only one, nevertheless, it is possible to have more than one

Occasionally, moles may show progressive variations in colour, shape, and sometimes even form nodules. Such changes need prompt expert evaluation as they might be part of the malignant transformations that lead to skin cancer.

Most moles often tend to appear in late childhood. Some, however, are usually present at birth.

During embryonic development, melanocytes (melanin-producing cells) form and migrate into the skin. It is theorized that moles are usually a result of morphogenic errors in the formation, growth, and/or migration of melanocytes.

What are the Different Types of Moles?

Moles present at birth are referred to as congenital moles. Those that manifest later in life are referred to as acquired moles.

Congenital Moles

At birth, congenital moles tend to be light in colour with a flat or slightly raised surface. As the person grows, the mole may darken, become larger and acquire long, course, dark hairs. Some congenital moles disappear on their own as age increases.

The commonest congenital moles are the congenital melanocytic nevi.

Acquired Moles

Acquired moles are not apparent during birth. They often appear in late childhood and teenage years. nevertheless, they can develop much later in adulthood.

Physically, acquired moles may be indistinguishable from congenital moles.

Examples of common acquired melanocytic nevi include junctional nevi, dermal nevi and compound nevi.

Other Moles

There are many other types of moles. An atypical or dysplastic nevus, for instance, is a large, irregularly shaped mole which is particularly known to increase a person’s risk of melanoma skin cancer.

The best way to know for sure what type of mole you have is by consulting a specialist.

Making a Diagnosis For Mole Removal

A skilled skin specialist is able to clearly diagnose your mole, they will take into account its primary and secondary features

A mole’s primary features include such things like:
Its location on the body
Its size, shape, and appearance
Whether or not it’s accompanied by smaller satellite moles
It’s colour, hairiness and nature of its surface

To understand its secondary characteristics, a sample of the mole will be biopsied and sent to the lab for analysis. Based on the findings from the lab, the specialist is then able to better diagnose the mole in question.

Proper diagnosis is critical because it guides your doctor on how to treat/remove a mole. The procedure used to get rid of a mole is dependent on, among other things, the type and nature of the mole.

Additionally, moles can share some features of melanomas. A proper diagnosis is thus essential in differentiating harmless moles from risky, potentially cancerous moles.

Therefore, you are highly discouraged from trying to self-diagnose with intent to remove a mole at home. Doing so could lead to countless undesirable complications.

Dangerous Moles – Identifying Risky Moles or Nevi

More often than not, a mole will be perfectly harmless. So, if you have one, you have no cause for alarm. In fact, you could leave it alone and it will in no way adversely affect your health.

Sometimes though, a mole may transform into a melanoma. A specialist or surgeon, after taking a look at your mole, can with certainty advise on the level of risk it carries. On you own, however, you should examine your skin for moles.

Here’s a simple ‘ABCDE’ model that you can use to look for melanoma danger signs.

Asymmetry

Check whether some parts of the moles have a different shape, colour, feel or appearance from other parts.

Border

If the outline of the mole is irregular and poorly defined from the rest of the border, you should have a specialist check it out.

Color

The mole shouldn’t include unusual colours or different shades of one colour. If you feel like the colour of your mole isn’t right, talk to a physician.

Diameter

Large moles have increased risk of malignant transformation and should be looked at by a specialist.

Evolving

Make note of any changes overtime. Important changes include colour, shape, size, itchiness, hairiness, bleeding, and nodularity.

A risky mole means that some of its cells are precancerous or cancerous. Such a mole needs to be biopsied and removed without delay.

Removing a mole to prevent the development of a melanoma is clinically referred to as prophylactic mole removal.

Options for Cosmetic Mole Removal in Sydney

There are several treatment options when dealing with moles. By and large, all mole treatment interventions are aimed at:

Achieving satisfactory cosmetic results
Eliminating the risk of malignant transformation
Maintaining adequate body/organ function

During your consultation, the specialist will explain to you what treatment is suitable for your mole.

Some commonly used mole removal techniques in Australia include:

Surgical excisions
Dermabrasions
Shave excisions and curettage

Mole removal is tailored to each specific patient. To improve the cosmetic outcome, skin specialists often have to combine several treatment inventions. Factors that influence the interventions used include, among other things

The size of the mole
Its location
It’s malignant potential
Its clinical appearance
The ease of clinical follow-up
Expertise and experience of the skin specialist or plastic surgeon
Available resources at the health facility

The cosmetic outcomes of removing a mole are tightly linked to the treating doctor’s expertise and resources available at the health facility.

Therefore, it should be no surprise that we recommend having your mole removed by highly skilled, experienced skin specialist who works in renowned health facilities & medical theaters.

– Surgical Excision

Small moles can be excised surgically in a relatively simple manner. Surgical excision involves cutting out the mole from the skin. This is usually followed by closure of the defect left behind after the mole has been removed.

Larger moles may however require more specialized excisions and additional procedures such as tissue expanders, serial excisions, skin grafting and biological agents to regulate wound healing.

Small moles may be taken out within minutes. Conversely, larger moles may require a couple of hours and/or repeated excisions.

– Dermabrasion

This mole removal technique scrapes the top layer of the skin (epidermis) and part of the dermis. In so doing, it eliminates the superficial cells of a mole.

– Shave Excisions and Curettage

Shave excisions and curettage are minor surgical procedures that “shave” or “scrape” off raised parts of the skin.

Choosing your Mole Treatment

The mode of treatment for a mole is highly personalised. After initial assessment, your skin doctor will advise you on which method(s) are suitable to get rid of your mole safely.

Your Mole Removal Surgery Journey and Recovery

Consultation with Your Plastic Surgeon

A small uncomplicated mole can usually be removed in a single office visit. Occasionally, however subsequent visits are necessary.

The first step nonetheless is booking a consultation.

When you sit down for an initial consultation several things happen.

Your medical history will be reviewed
Your mole and skin are examined
The doctor explains the mole removal options
The doctor may also recommend mole biopsy to collect samples for further lab investigations

The initial consultation is also a great chance for you to ask any questions that you might have regarding your mole, treatments, procedures, costs and financing options, etc.

Mole Removal Procedure

The process of removing a mole takes less than 10 minutes for small moles. Larger, complicated moles may require more time and serial treatments.

Most mole removal techniques are executed after a local anesthetic has been used to numb the area. Pain and discomfort are thus minimal.

After the mole has been removed, the wound is closed up using sutures, graft tissue, tissue expanders or various other methods depending on the defect left behind. A bandage is then applied onto the area.

Recovery after Mole Surgery

After treatment you will receive instructions on proper wound care and management.

You might be asked to return within 1-2 weeks for follow-up

In the first 1-5 days, there might be some mild tenderness over the area where the mole was removed.

Recovery from mole removal is nonetheless quick since most procedures are usually minimally invasive. You should be able to return to previous levels of activity and functioning within a week or two.

Your specialist will also give you direction on how to minimise scarring after surgery
Keep the area clean, undisturbed, and protected at all times
Avoid too much stretching or touching the treated area
Minimise exposure to direct sunlight

Ask your plastic surgeon about skin treatments to encourage healing and proper collage production.

Longer Term Results of Mole Removal

Most mole removal wounds heal within one month. This time might be longer if the mole was so big that it required wide, deep, or repeated excisions.

For most patients, the resultant scar fades away naturally within one year.

Therefore, within about one year, you can expect to see no visible evidence that you had a mole on your skin.

How much is Mole Removal Surgery in Sydney?

Every patient is different and you may have one or more moles of different sizes. The price of mole removal in Sydney depends on the expertise and skill of your specialist.

To find out more visit the pricing page – For an estimate of the cost of your procedure contact the team.

Mole Removal Surgery FAQs – Questions about mole Excision

How much will it cost me to have a mole removed?

The cost of mole removal in Australia usually begins at about $250. The cost however varies depending on the health facility, surgeon, removal techniques, and any additional treatments required. Your doctor will advise you on whether your insurance covers mole removal treatments. Alternatively, you can check out the available financing options.

Will my mole grow back?

Sometimes, some cells from the mole get left behind after the initial removal. This is rare but when it happens, there’s a chance for the mole to grow back.

Can I remove my mole at home?

This risks of cutting off a mole at home include excessive bleeding, possible infections and bad scarring. You might also fail to completely eliminate all the mole cells, hence the mole can grow back. If the mole was malignant, you might also be giving the cancer cells a chance to spread and grow. Therefore, trying to remove a mole at home is unsafe and not recommended.