Concierge dermatology · UK
Private mole removal, dermoscopy first - histology when it matters.
A proper mole assessment by a consultant dermatologist - the dermatoscope out before any technique is chosen, an excision biopsy with a 2 mm margin for anything suspicious, and honest advice on scar for the cosmetic cases.
Why patients choose us
- 01
Dermoscopy before anything is removed
A consultant dermatologist looks at every mole with a dermatoscope, applies ABCDE and the 7‑point checklist, and only then chooses a technique.
- 02
Suspicious moles go to histology - always
Any pigmented lesion with a red flag has an excision biopsy with a 2 mm margin and full histology. No laser, no cryotherapy, no shortcuts.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private mole removal costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send us a photograph and the location and we come back with firm figures across the sensible techniques.
In short
A small excision biopsy with histology in our network: £350–£600, report back in 10–14 days.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Result / recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dermatology consultation with full skin check + dermoscopy | £180–£300 | 30 min | Same visit |
| Excision biopsy - small mole (with histology) | £350–£600 | 30 min | 10–14 days report |
| Excision biopsy - larger / reconstruction (with histology) | £600–£950 | 45–60 min | 10–14 days report |
| Shave excision - benign (single lesion) | £200–£450 | 20 min | Same visit |
| Punch biopsy - small (with histology) | £250–£450 | 20 min | 10–14 days report |
| Laser removal - clinically benign (per lesion) | £150–£350 | 15 min | Same visit |
| Suspicious lesion - 2WW pathway (NHS) | NHS funded | - | 2 weeks to clinic |
Prices vary by clinic, by whether a dermatologist or plastic surgeon is doing the excision, by the size and site of the mole, and by whether reconstruction is needed. A firm quote lands within one working day.
The problem
The right clinician, the right technique, in that order.
The private mole market is uneven - aesthetic clinics offering laser on pigmented lesions, walk‑in shave excisions with no histology, and cosmetic advice given by people who cannot read a dermatoscope. We fix all three before you commit.
-
Not sure if it is suspicious?
A dermatologist with a dermatoscope decides - before anyone reaches for a blade or a laser.
-
Worried about the scar?
Every technique has a trade‑off. We spell it out so you choose with your eyes open.
-
Want it done properly?
A consultant dermatologist or plastic surgeon, UKAS‑accredited histology, and clear follow‑up.
The journey
From enquiry to histology - what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to the pathology report - including the follow‑up conversation.
Phase 1 · Before your procedure
Concierge, off‑stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
Under an hour at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Photos welcome. Which mole, how long, whether it has changed, and whether the reason is cosmetic or a worry.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: dermatologist or plastic surgeon, the right technique, an indicative price. If a 2‑week‑wait NHS referral is safer, we say so.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Usually within one to two weeks. Any blood‑thinning medication is reviewed with the team and you are told exactly how to prepare.
- 04
On the day
Arrival and dermoscopy
A full skin check and dermoscopy of the mole in question. Only then is the technique confirmed - excision, shave, punch or laser.
- 05
On the day
The procedure itself
15 to 45 minutes under local anaesthetic in a treatment room. Any excised tissue is sent to a UKAS‑accredited histology lab.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
A light dressing, written aftercare, and home within the hour. You can drive yourself.
- 07
After
Histology and review
Pathology in 10 to 14 days. We chase the report, translate it, and arrange onward care if anything unexpected is found.
Typical end‑to‑end: 1–2 weeks from enquiry to procedure. Histology: 10–14 days.
When it helps
When a mole should come off - and how to know.
The situations we see most, plus the red flag that means the 2‑week‑wait pathway rather than a cosmetic booking.
-
Changing or growing mole
A mole that has changed shape, size, colour or has started to itch or bleed - needs dermoscopy and, usually, excision biopsy.
-
ABCDE‑positive lesion
Asymmetry, irregular Border, more than one Colour, Diameter over 6 mm, or Evolving - any single feature earns a full‑thickness excision.
-
"Ugly duckling" mole
A single mole that looks nothing like your others. Even without classic ABCDE features, it should be assessed by a dermatologist.
-
Catching on clothing or razor
A protruding mole that snags on collars, bra straps or the razor. Once benign, it can be shaved or excised for comfort.
-
Cosmetic reasons
A benign mole in a visible spot. Multiple techniques exist - we help you weigh scar against pigment recurrence.
-
New pigmented lesion after 30
Most new moles appear in childhood. A pigmented lesion appearing in adulthood deserves dermoscopy and often excision biopsy.
-
Family or personal history of melanoma
Higher‑risk skin needs mapped photography and a lower threshold to excise. Laser and cryotherapy are off the table for pigmented lesions.
-
Red flag: bleeding, ulcerated mole
A mole that is bleeding, ulcerated or crusting is a 2‑week‑wait referral to NHS dermatology - not a private cosmetic booking.
Technique options
One diagnosis, several techniques - one right choice.
What each technique actually involves - and which fits which mole. Suspicious lesions have exactly one correct answer.
-
Excision biopsy
A narrow ellipse of skin around the mole with a 2 mm margin, sutured closed. The only method that sends the mole to histology - mandatory for anything suspicious.
-
Shave excision
A horizontal blade takes the raised part of a flat or protruding benign mole. Minimal scar, but pigment can recur and it is not suitable for suspicious lesions.
-
Punch biopsy
A small circular blade removes the mole in one core, closed with one or two stitches. Useful for small lesions where histology is still wanted.
-
Curettage
A curette scrapes off raised, clearly benign lesions. Not appropriate for pigmented moles - no tissue for the histologist to read.
-
Laser (CO₂, Er:YAG, Nd:YAG)
Vaporises the lesion. Only for clinically benign, non‑pigmented moles - the BAD position is clear on this. Nothing is left for histology.
-
Cryotherapy
Liquid nitrogen for seborrhoeic keratoses and skin tags - not for true melanocytic naevi and never for pigmented lesions.
-
Wide local excision
The definitive treatment if histology confirms melanoma. Margins are set by Breslow thickness and a sentinel node biopsy is considered above 1 mm.
-
Dermatologist consultation only
Full skin check, dermoscopy, mapped photography and honest advice on whether a mole should come off at all.
Our vetted UK network
A small panel of dermatologists, we picked them.
Consultant dermatologists and skin‑cancer‑trained plastic surgeons across central, north, west and south London and the major UK cities. Introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every dermatologist in our network.
-
Consultant dermatologists on the GMC Specialist Register, not aesthetic practitioners
-
Every pigmented lesion assessed with dermoscopy before a technique is chosen
-
Excised tissue sent to a UKAS‑accredited histopathology laboratory
-
A clear pathway to plastic surgery and 2‑week‑wait NHS dermatology when needed
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
Mole removal is a small procedure with predictable trade‑offs. Understanding scar, pigment, and the one big mistake - laser on a pigmented lesion - is the point.
-
Every removal leaves a scar
Excision leaves a fine line; shave leaves a paler patch; punch leaves a small dot. Placement, closure and aftercare decide how visible it stays.
-
Hyperpigmentation is common
Post‑inflammatory hyperpigmentation is more likely on Fitzpatrick IV–VI skin. It usually fades over months and is minimised by strict sun protection.
-
Pigment can come back after shave
Shave excision leaves the deeper dermal component of the mole. Pigment recurring in a scar is not the same as recurrence of a melanoma - but it needs re‑checking.
-
Keloid and hypertrophic scars
Chest, shoulders and upper back are prone to raised scars. Silicone gel or sheeting from two weeks after removal reduces the risk.
-
Infection is uncommon
Keep the wound clean and dry as directed. Spreading redness, heat or pus at three to five days is a reason to call the clinic.
-
Nerve injury depends on site
The temple, jawline and hands overlie small sensory nerves. A dermatologist or plastic surgeon plans around them.
-
Laser on a pigmented mole is the big mistake
Vaporising a pigmented lesion destroys the evidence. A melanoma removed this way is diagnosed late - sometimes far too late. Never accept laser for a pigmented mole.
-
Sutures come out on a schedule
Face at 5 to 7 days, body at 10 to 14 days, back at 14 days. Dissolvable sutures are sometimes used and need nothing further.
-
Sun protection makes the scar
Fresh scars burn easily and darken permanently in the sun. SPF 50 daily for six months, then SPF 30 for a year, changes the outcome.
Reading your histology report
Your histology report in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever technique was used, the pathologist’s letter keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Pathology language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the report before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Site, clinical description and reason for removal
Where the mole was, what it looked like on dermoscopy, and why it was removed - cosmetic, mechanical, or suspicious.
- 02 Technique
Method, margin and closure
Excision biopsy with 2 mm margin, shave, punch or laser. The margin taken and how the wound was closed.
- 03 Findings
Histology - diagnosis and margins
The pathologist’s diagnosis: benign compound naevus, dysplastic naevus with grade, or melanoma with Breslow thickness, ulceration and margin status.
- 04 Impression
Follow‑up and any onward referral
Read this first: whether the margins are clear, whether further excision or sentinel node work is needed, and when to be seen again.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for mole removal varies by insurer and by indication - usually funded when clinically suspicious, self‑pay for cosmetic removal of benign moles. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about mole removal.
Quick answers on scar, cost, when to worry, and why laser is not the answer for a pigmented mole.
-
Should I have a mole removed for cosmetic reasons?
Only after a dermatologist has looked at it with a dermatoscope. If it is clearly benign, excision, shave, punch or laser are all options and we help you weigh scar against pigment recurrence. If anything looks suspicious, it comes off by full‑thickness excision with histology instead.
-
When is a mole considered suspicious?
The ABCDE rule captures most: Asymmetry, irregular Borders, more than one Colour, Diameter over 6 mm, or Evolving. The 7‑point checklist and the "ugly duckling" sign add more. A single feature is enough to earn an excision biopsy and histology - never laser or cryotherapy.
-
Can I have a suspicious mole removed by laser?
No. The British Association of Dermatologists is unambiguous on this: pigmented lesions with any suspicious features must have full‑thickness excision so the pathologist can measure them. Laser vaporises tissue and destroys the diagnosis. A melanoma missed this way is diagnosed later, at a worse stage.
-
How much does private mole removal cost in the UK?
A consultation with dermoscopy is £180–£300. Small excision with histology is £350–£600. Larger excisions needing reconstruction are £600–£950. Laser on a clinically benign mole is £150–£350 per lesion, and several lesions can often be done in one session. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
-
Will there be a scar?
Yes - every method leaves some mark. Excision leaves a fine line the length of the ellipse. Shave leaves a paler flat patch. Punch leaves a small round dot. Where the mole sits, how the wound is closed and how you protect the scar from sun decide how visible it stays.
-
Is a mole biopsy painful?
The local anaesthetic stings for a few seconds, then the area is numb and you feel pressure only. Afterwards there is mild soreness for a day or two, controlled with paracetamol. Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen unless your GP has said otherwise.
-
How long until I get the histology result?
Ten to fourteen days is typical. We chase the report, translate the jargon and, if anything unexpected is found, arrange onward care with plastic surgery or dermatology the same week.
-
When should I see a GP or go on the 2‑week‑wait pathway?
Any bleeding, ulcerated or fast‑growing pigmented lesion; a new pigmented mole appearing after the age of 30; any mole that stands out from your others; or a mole with ABCDE features. These belong on the NHS 2‑week‑wait dermatology pathway, and we will say so if that is the safer route.
Related treatments
Looking for something else?
-
Mohs surgery
Micrographic surgery for non‑melanoma skin cancer with clear margins.
Learn more -
Lumps & bumps removal
Cysts, lipomas and skin lesions removed under LA with histology.
Learn more -
Laser resurfacing
CO₂ and Er:YAG laser for skin resurfacing and scar improvement.
Learn more -
All tests & procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more