Moles

Moles

What are moles?

Moles are light- to dark-brown spots on the skin. They can be flat or raised. Moles are caused by pigment cells (melanocytes) clustering together on locations on the skin. They can occur on any area of the body and differ in shape, size and colour.
If they are suspected of being malign, moles may have to be removed. In this case, moles are a skin disease. This involves a medical intervention. In most cases moles are benign and do not need to be removed for medical reasons. Removal of benign moles involves a cosmetic intervention. At Wetering Medical Center, moles are always removed by a dermatologist.

Click here to read more about moles (folder in Dutch).

Types of moles

There are normal (benign), unsettled (dysplastic/atypical) and malignant birthmarks (melanomas).

Benign birthmarks are usually brown spots on the skin and can be very different from one another. For example, they can be flat or very thick. When assessing birthmarks, it is important to look for changes in the mole, colour differences and an asymmetrical shape. Although these may also occur in benign birthmarks, if in doubt we recommend having your mole assessed by your GP or dermatologist. This is because a mole can become malignant, in which case it is called a melanoma.
A benign mole does not need to be treated. However, it can be removed for cosmetic reasons. If there is any suspicion of melanoma, the mole will always be removed and further examined.

Checking birthmarks

Have your mole assessed by one of our dermatologists if:

• The mole changes in colour, shape or size
• The mole itches
• If the edges of the mole become blurred
• The mole bleeds

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about moles

What does a suspicious mole look like?

A suspicious mole is a mole that looks different from any other mole you have. For example, if the colour or shape is different, or very irregular. Benign birthmarks have an even colour and similar shape. A benign mole may not be even, or may have an uneven shape. Are you in doubt whether your mole is benign? If so, always have it checked. Our dermatologists will be happy to help.

How do I check birthmarks that I cannot see, such as on my back?

Do you want to check your moles in places that are difficult to see? Then you may be able to check with a hand mirror. If you want to check moles on your back, you can stand with your back to a mirror and use a hand mirror to look at your moles in the reflection. If you have a partner, you can also ask them to inspect your moles.

What should I pay attention to when I check my moles?

When you check your moles, you can pay attention to several parts. Check whether the colour, size and shape of your moles have remained the same since the previous check. Is this not the case? If so, contact one of our dermatologists. Have you developed new moles? ACheck what these look like and how they (might) develop as well.

How is a mole removed?

Moles can be removed using the following methods:

• Shaving/coagulation
• Excision

The dermatologist determines which method is most suitable in each case.

Shaving/coagulation

Shaving is used for raised moles and is done under local anaesthesia. During the treatment the top layer of the skin is shaved off using a very sharp knife. After this, the wound is closed with the aid of heat (coagulation). A scab will form over the damaged tissue once the skin begins to heal, and more healthy cells are produced to restore the damaged tissue. When the skin underneath the scab has healed, the scab falls off.

Exision

Excision is used for flat moles and is also done under local anaesthesia. The entire mole and part of the surrounding skin are removed, after which the wound is sutured. The wound will heal within a few weeks. Depending on the location of the mole on the body, the dermatologist will either opt for subcutaneous (soluble) sutures or for sutures which must be removed after about a week

Risks and complications

Prior to treatment your dermatologist will discuss the risks with you. The risks include:

• Discoloration of the skin: the skin may become slightly lighter or darker, you will therefore be advised to avoid exposure to the sun for at least 6 weeks
• Development of scar tissue
• Scar inflammation
• Bruising

Moreover, when the shaving / coagulation method is use, there is a risk that the mole will grow back.

Removal of moles by shaving, by a dematologist
1-2 moles: E 100,-
3-5 moles: E 200,-
6-8 moles: E 250,-
9-11 moles: E 300,-

Surgical removal (with stitches), by a dermatologist
1 moles: E 250,-
2 moles: E 350,-
3 moles: E 450,-

Any questions?

If you have any questions, please contact us during consultation hours at 020 8203465.