Mole Removal & Digital Dermatoscopy

Mole removal at Esthé Laser Clinic begins with a digital dermatoscopy examination — a magnified, polarised-light assessment of the mole's internal structure using a calibrated dermoscope — before any removal decision is made. This step is clinically essential: dermoscopy identifies which lesions are benign (safe to remove cosmetically) and which have features requiring dermatological or surgical referral before removal. Benign lesions confirmed as cosmetically removable are treated in the same session using laser ablation or, for deeper lesions, a minor surgical excision. Removed tissue is sent for histological analysis when indicated, providing a definitive pathological assessment. The procedure uses local anaesthetic at the lesion site and takes 20–30 minutes per lesion. The treating physician is medically qualified and experienced in dermatoscopy.

Mole assessment and removal is a procedure that requires medical expertise at both stages: the diagnostic evaluation of the lesion's dermoscopic features, and the decision about the appropriate removal method. At Esthé Laser Clinic, both stages are performed by qualified medical personnel, in contrast to beauty clinic settings where removal may be offered without diagnostic assessment. Dermatoscopy (dermoscopy) is a non-invasive diagnostic technique that uses a handheld device combining a magnification lens (typically 10×) with a light source and cross-polarisation filter. The polarised light penetrates the first 1–2 mm of skin (through the stratum corneum without the need for contact fluid in modern non-contact devices) and reveals the underlying dermoscopic structures invisible to the naked eye. These include the pigment network (regular or irregular), globule patterns, regression structures, vascular patterns, and architectural disorder — the features that differentiate benign melanocytic nevi and seborrhoeic keratoses from melanoma and dysplastic nevi. At Esthé, the dermoscopic examination precedes any removal decision. If the mole has dermoscopic features of concern — irregular network, atypical vascular pattern, regression areas, or blue-white veil — the physician advises against cosmetic removal and recommends dermatology referral or biopsy first, as removing a potentially malignant lesion destroys the tissue needed for complete pathological staging. Only lesions with clear benign dermoscopic features (regular globular pattern, typical reticular network, symmetric pigmentation) are offered same-session removal. For removal of confirmed benign lesions, the method depends on the lesion type. Superficial seborrhoeic keratoses, epidermal nevi, and flat benign melanocytic nevi can be laser-ablated — the laser energy vaporises the lesion layer by layer from the surface downward, leaving a small superficial wound that heals cleanly over 2–3 weeks. Raised or deeper nevi, compound nevi, and lesions with a dermal component are more reliably removed by minor surgical excision under local anaesthetic: a small elliptical incision removes the full-thickness lesion, and the edges are closed with fine sutures. Surgical excision also produces a specimen suitable for histological examination, which is recommended for any lesion where the dermoscopic features, even if considered benign, have any atypical elements. Histological analysis is performed by an external accredited pathology laboratory. The turnaround is typically 1–2 weeks and provides a definitive tissue diagnosis — the only absolute confirmation of a benign lesion. The clinic arranges the sample dispatch; the laboratory invoices separately. Post-removal care: the wound (either the laser-ablated area or surgical closure) should be kept clean and protected from sun exposure until fully healed. Surgical sutures are removed at 7–10 days. Sun protection with SPF50 over the healed scar is advised for 6–12 months to minimise post-inflammatory pigmentation changes. Contraindications: dermoscopic features suggesting malignancy (referral before any removal), blood clotting disorders or anticoagulant therapy (surgical excision only, with physician assessment), active infection at the lesion site, known allergy to local anaesthetic agents.