Mole removal (excision)

Category: Minor Procedures, Injections & Pain Relief · All minor procedures, injections & pain relief

What it is

Mole removal by excision cuts out a mole (and usually a small margin of normal skin) under local anaesthetic and sends it to the laboratory — the diagnostic standard when a mole looks suspicious or when removal is requested for medical reasons.

Why it is done

Indications include moles with changes in size, shape, colour or itch/bleeding, moles that look atypical under dermoscopy, and lesions that rub or bleed repeatedly. Cosmetic removal is available privately for suitable lesions.

How to prepare

Assessment includes dermoscopy (a magnified light view) and sometimes photography. Tell the clinician about blood thinners, allergies, keloid tendency and pregnancy. The lesion is marked before numbing.

What happens during the procedure

After numbing, an oval (elliptical) cut removes the mole and the wound is stitched (or closed with adhesive in some sites). The specimen goes to pathology. It takes about 15 to 30 minutes.

Afterwards — recovery & results

Keep the dressing dry initially; stitches are removed after about one to two weeks (earlier on the face). Results usually take two to four weeks — the clinic will explain how they reach you and what follow-up is needed. Sun protection on the scar helps it fade.

Risks & considerations

Risks include bleeding, infection, scarring (an excision scar is typically longer than the mole's diameter), and recurrence if the lesion was not fully removed. Your clinician will discuss the cosmetic trade-off before removing any mole.

Watch: Mole removal (excision) videos

Real procedure videos from the MedicalVideos.com library. Some clinical footage is graphic — that is the nature of a medical video library.

▶ WatchConjunctival nevus excisionWatch on MedicalVideos.com ▶ WatchExcision dysplastic nevus with half buried closureWatch on MedicalVideos.com ▶ WatchExcision of a moderate severe dysplastic nevusWatch on MedicalVideos.com

Related guides on MedicalVideos.com

Condition guide: cancer

Frequently asked questions

Why not shave it off or freeze it?

For a suspicious mole, excision gives the whole lesion to the laboratory and avoids missing a melanoma. Shave or freezing methods destroy the sample and are reserved for lesions already judged benign.

Will I need more treatment after removal?

If the mole is benign, no. If the pathology shows a melanoma or atypical changes, further surgery (wider excision) and follow-up are arranged according to type.

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Please note: This page is educational information about a medical procedure or test. It does not replace the instructions of your own care team, who know your situation and whose preparation, fasting and medication advice you should follow if it differs from anything here. If you have symptoms that worry you, or an appointment you do not understand, contact your clinical team.