Surgery
Cosmetic Mole Removal
Surgical removal of benign moles and skin lesions for appearance or comfort, carried out by a specialist surgeon, with laboratory analysis of everything we remove.
Suitability
Who is cosmetic mole removal for?
This service is for people who would like a mole or benign skin lesion removed for reasons other than a medical concern — because of how it looks, or because it catches on clothing, jewellery or a razor.
Worried that a mole has changed? This is not the right appointment. Book a Single Mole Check and we will examine it first.
Your appointment
What happens at your appointment?
Every removal begins with a consultation. Your surgeon will examine the lesion, confirm it is suitable for cosmetic removal, and recommend the most appropriate method. You will be told what the procedure involves, what it costs and what to expect afterwards, and you will have the chance to ask questions.
The consultation is included in the cost of your procedure. Where you are happy to go ahead and there is no medical reason to delay, the removal can be carried out at the same visit.
If you would like a consultation without committing to a procedure, this can be booked on its own for £200. It is a separate appointment with its own fee. If you decide afterwards to go ahead, the cost of your procedure is the published price, and the consultation on the day of your procedure is included within it.
Your right to decide
What is the cooling-off period?
14 days
Before any cosmetic surgical procedure we offer a fourteen-day cooling-off period. This gives you time to consider what has been discussed, ask any further questions, and decide without pressure.
If you are ready to proceed on the day, you may ask to waive this period. Your surgeon will agree to that only where it is clinically appropriate. You will be asked to sign a waiver confirming that the cooling-off period was offered and that you have chosen not to take it.
Timing
How long does the appointment take?
It depends on how many lesions are being removed and where they are. As a guide, allow an hour for a removal appointment. A Single Mole Check or a consultation is shorter.
The procedure
How is the lesion removed?
All removals are carried out by excision under local anaesthetic. The area is numbed, the lesion is removed, and the wound is closed with sutures. You are awake throughout and go home the same day.
Excision removes the lesion completely, reduces the chance of it returning, and produces a specimen that can be examined in a laboratory.
Fees
How much does removal cost?
Removal is charged on the same surgical fee schedule as our other procedures, whether the lesion is benign or suspicious. The fee depends on the size and site of the lesion and the type of closure required. Your consultation is included.
| Procedure | What it involves | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Direct closure, under 2cm — limbs or torso | Lesion removed and the wound closed directly with sutures. | £550 |
| Direct closure, over 2cm — limbs or torso | For larger lesions, excision followed by direct closure. | £750 |
| Head and neck direct closure | Removal and direct closure on the face, scalp or neck. | £750 |
| Reconstruction with flap or graft | Repair using nearby skin or a skin graft where more tissue is removed. | £1,620 |
| Histopathology — per lesion analysed | Laboratory testing and a formal report. | £175 |
| Consultation | A standalone appointment for advice. Where you book surgery, your consultation is part of the surgery price and is not charged on top. | £200 |
Histopathology is charged in addition to the cost of your procedure and applies to each lesion sent for analysis. Where a second lesion is removed at the same appointment, its removal is charged at half price. Removal of a benign lesion for comfort or appearance is not covered by medical insurance.
See all feesResults
When will you get your results?
Your result is usually available within one week. Your surgeon will call you to explain it, and it is also available in the Patient Portal. Occasionally further testing or a second specialist opinion is needed, which takes a little longer. Almost all of the lesions on this page turn out to be exactly what they appeared to be. Analysis confirms it.
Booking
Not sure what it is?
Book a consultation and your surgeon will examine the lesion, tell you what it is and explain the options. If you would rather ask a question first, get in touch.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is a mole?
A mole is a small area of skin where pigment-producing cells have grown in a cluster. Most people develop them through childhood and adolescence, and having a number of them is entirely normal. Moles can darken during pregnancy and often fade in later life.
Which removal method will I need?
Your surgeon will recommend one at your consultation, based on the type of lesion, its size and where it is on your body.
Can the mole be removed at the same appointment?
Yes, provided you are happy to go ahead and there is no medical reason to delay. You may also take the fourteen-day cooling-off period and return.
What is the cooling-off period?
Fourteen days between your consultation and your procedure, offered before any cosmetic surgical treatment so that you can decide without pressure. You may choose to waive it and proceed on the day, confirming in writing that it was offered.
Is the mole sent for testing?
Yes. Every lesion we remove is sent to a laboratory for analysis, whether or not there was any clinical concern. Analysis is charged in addition to the cost of the removal.
I am not sure what my lesion is — can you still help?
Yes. Book a consultation and your surgeon will examine it, tell you what it is and recommend the appropriate treatment.
How many moles can be removed at once?
Up to two in a single appointment. Each is charged separately.
What aftercare will you need?
You will return to a dressing clinic a week after your procedure, so the wound can be checked and the dressing changed. This is included in the cost. Full aftercare guidance — wound care, activity, bleeding and when to contact us — is on our Aftercare and Recovery page.
Is cosmetic mole removal covered by medical insurance?
No. Procedures carried out for cosmetic reasons are not covered by medical insurance.