Skin Growths & Lesions
Mole Removal in Adelaide
Why assessment always comes before removal, and what the process involves.
Moles can be removed for cosmetic reasons, but only after medical assessment confirms the mole is benign. In Australia, which has among the highest skin cancer rates in the world, removing a mole without assessment risks both leaving a cancerous lesion untreated and destroying the evidence needed to diagnose it. Assessment is not a formality, it is the entire safeguard.
Most moles are entirely normal. The average adult has between 10 and 40 of them, and the overwhelming majority will never cause a problem.
People seek removal for a range of reasons: a mole that catches when shaving, one that sits awkwardly under a bra strap or collar, or simply one they would rather not have on their face.
All of those are reasonable. What is not reasonable is removing a mole without knowing what it is first.
Important
Australia has among the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Any mole that is new, changing, asymmetrical, has an irregular or blurred border, has more than one colour, is larger than 6mm, or is itching, bleeding or crusting must be assessed by a doctor. Cosmetic removal is never appropriate for a lesion that has not been assessed, because it can both delay a diagnosis and destroy the tissue needed to make one.
The ABCDE guide
This is the standard framework used to identify moles that need medical attention. If any of these apply to a mole of yours, see a doctor rather than seeking cosmetic removal.
- Asymmetry: one half does not match the other
- Border: edges that are irregular, ragged, notched or blurred
- Colour: more than one colour, or uneven distribution of colour
- Diameter: larger than 6mm, roughly the width of a pencil eraser
- Evolving: any change in size, shape, colour or elevation, or new symptoms such as bleeding, itching or crusting
The "E" matters most. A mole that is changing warrants assessment regardless of how it scores on the other 4.
Our approach
Every mole is assessed by one of our AHPRA registered medical practitioners before any discussion of removal takes place.
Where a mole shows any feature warranting further investigation, we will tell you plainly and refer you appropriately. We would far rather send someone to their GP or a dermatologist than proceed with a cosmetic procedure on a lesion that needed a different pathway.
Where a mole is confirmed benign and removal is appropriate, we will talk through the method, what to expect during healing, and the likely cosmetic outcome before you decide.
Common questions
Can any mole be removed cosmetically?+
No. Only moles assessed as benign are suitable for cosmetic removal. Where a mole shows features that need further investigation, the correct pathway is medical assessment, not a cosmetic procedure.
How much does mole removal cost in Adelaide?+
Cost depends on the number, size, type and location of the moles, and can only be quoted after assessment. Some medically indicated removals may attract a Medicare rebate, which is a question for your GP.
Will mole removal leave a scar?+
Any removal leaves some mark. How noticeable it is depends on the size and depth of the mole, its location and how your skin heals. This is discussed honestly before you decide to proceed.
Should I see a GP or a clinic first?+
If you have any concern at all about a mole, or if it is changing in any way, see a doctor first. Cosmetic removal is only appropriate once a lesion has been confirmed benign.
Other concerns
All treatments require an individual consultation and suitability assessment. Results vary between individuals. Information on this website is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.