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Not an emergency service. If you or someone else is seriously unwell — for example chest pain, breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding or collapse — call 999. For urgent advice when it is not life-threatening, call NHS 111.

Recovery & Aftercare Guide

Mole removal

Surgical removal of a mole under local anaesthetic, with laboratory analysis of the tissue.

Important. Your individual instructions from your treating clinician take precedence over this general information. If anything here differs from what your clinician has told you, follow your clinician’s advice and contact the hospital if you are unsure.

Overview

A mole is removed either by shave excision, which takes the mole flush with the skin, or by full excision, which cuts it out completely and closes the skin with stitches.

Moles are removed when they are changing or symptomatic, when analysis is needed, or for cosmetic reasons where the mole is benign.

Expect around 45 minutes in the treatment room. Shave sites heal in 1 to 2 weeks; excision sites need stitches for 7 to 14 days.

Before your procedure

  • Tell the team about all medicines, especially anticoagulants and antiplatelets. Do not stop any prescribed medicine unless instructed.
  • Mention allergies to local anaesthetic, plasters or antiseptics.
  • Eat and drink normally.
  • Wear clothing that gives easy access to the mole and that you do not mind marking.
  • If the mole is on your face, come without make-up over the area.
  • You will give written consent. Ask about the expected scar, which technique is planned and when results will be available.

What happens on the day

  1. The site is cleaned and marked, and photographs may be taken for your record.
  2. Local anaesthetic is injected. It stings briefly, then the area numbs.
  3. The mole is removed by the agreed technique. Shave excision leaves a shallow open wound; full excision is closed with stitches.
  4. A dressing is applied and you are given written aftercare.
  5. The tissue is sent for laboratory analysis.

Aftercare

Pain

Usually mild once the anaesthetic wears off after 1 to 3 hours. Simple over-the-counter pain relief taken per the packet is normally enough.

Appearance

A shave site looks like a graze and forms a scab. An excision site is a fine line held by stitches. Both look worse before they look better.

Dressings

Keep dry and in place for 24 to 48 hours, then change as instructed.

Bathing

Dry for 48 hours, then shower and pat dry. No baths or swimming until healed.

Sun protection

Protect the site from sun for at least 6 months. New scars darken permanently if they burn. Use high-factor sunscreen once healed.

Make-up

Do not apply make-up over the wound until it is fully healed and any stitches are out.

Exercise

Avoid vigorous exercise and swimming for about 2 weeks, or as advised if the site is under tension.

Work and driving

Most people carry on as normal the same or next day.

Follow-up

Stitches out at 7 to 14 days depending on site. Results normally within 2 weeks and always discussed with you.

Typical recovery timeline

Timings are typical and vary between individuals.
WhenWhat to expect
First 24 hoursNumbness wears off. Site may ooze slightly. Keep the dressing dry.
Days 2 to 7Scab forms on a shave site. Excision site remains closed by stitches.
Days 7 to 14Stitches removed. Scab usually separates on its own.
Weeks 2 to 8Pink, slightly raised scar. Keep out of the sun.
3 to 12 monthsScar fades. Final appearance takes up to a year.

Red flags — when to seek help

These lists are not exhaustive. Trust your judgement and seek advice if you are worried.

Emergency Call 999 or go to your nearest emergency department

  • Bleeding that does not stop after 10 minutes of firm pressure
  • Feeling generally unwell with a high temperature or shivering

Contact us Contact the hospital, or call NHS 111 out of hours

  • Spreading redness around the site
  • Increasing pain, swelling or heat after 48 hours
  • Pus or offensive discharge
  • Wound edges separating
  • Regrowth of pigment at the site after healing

Tower Bridge Hospital, 97–99 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1DT. Telephone 020 7916 0029. If in doubt and the situation is not life-threatening, call NHS 111.

Frequently asked questions

Which technique will be used?

Your clinician decides based on the mole and where it is, and will explain the trade-off between scar appearance and completeness of removal before you consent.

Is the mole always tested?

Removed tissue is normally sent for laboratory analysis, even when the mole is removed for cosmetic reasons.

Can a mole grow back?

Pigment can return after shave excision. Tell the clinic if you notice this.

Will removal leave a mark?

Yes. Every technique leaves some mark. The clinician will describe what to expect for your particular mole.

More information

Clinical reviewer
Dr Haydar Bolat, Clinical Director
Review date
21 July 2026
Review by
21 July 2027
Version
1.0
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