At our CQC-registered dermatology clinic, moles are assessed by our Consultant Dermatologists, who can usually tell you the outcome at the same appointment. Patients travel to us from across Kent, including Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Faversham, Maidstone, Ashford, Folkestone and Dover. Our aim is to give you a calm, clear answer and the right next step, without you having to wait and worry.
About the Condition
Most moles are harmless and stay much the same throughout life, but a mole that changes is one of the most important things to have checked. Change can mean growth, a shift in colour or shape, new symptoms, or a mole that looks different from the others on your body.
Changes people notice include:
- A mole that has become larger over weeks or months
- A change in colour, or uneven colouring within the mole
- A border that has become irregular or blurred
- One half of the mole looking different from the other
- New itching, bleeding or crusting
Many changing moles turn out to be benign, and change can have several causes. Because it is not possible to tell by eye at home, every changing mole should be examined by a clinician. Our pages on skin cancer and melanoma explain more about why prompt assessment matters.
The NHS ABCDE guide is a helpful starting point at home: asymmetry, border irregularity, colour change, diameter over 6mm, and evolution or change over time. Any change at all is worth having checked.
How We Treat It
Assessment always comes first. Our Consultant Dermatologists examine the mole using dermoscopy, comparing it with the rest of your skin and, where relevant, previous photographs. Depending on what is found, the mole may simply be monitored, mapped photographically for future comparison, or removed and sent for histology to confirm the diagnosis.
Our mole check is a full-body examination that looks at the changing mole alongside the rest of your skin. If ongoing monitoring is advised, our mole mapping service provides photographic documentation and a more accurate, measured comparison than photographs taken at home. Where removal is recommended, mole removal is carried out here in the clinic under local anaesthetic, with histology included in your price, so you can go home the same day.
We are CQC regulated and accept all major private medical insurers. Your Consultant Dermatologist will explain what they have found and what happens next.
When to See a Specialist
Any mole that is changing should be assessed promptly rather than watched at home for an extended period. This is especially important if you notice rapid change, bleeding, or a mole that looks noticeably different from your others.
Book a consultation as soon as you notice a change, even if you are not sure it matters. If a mole is bleeding, has become sore or ulcerated, or is changing quickly, please seek prompt medical advice, or call us for a swift appointment, rather than waiting for a routine appointment. A prompt check gives you clarity, whatever the cause of the change turns out to be.
Further reading: NHS – Moles · DermNet – Melanocytic naevus (mole) · British Association of Dermatologists
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a changing mole always mean skin cancer?
No. Many changing moles turn out to be benign, but change is still one of the most useful things to have checked properly by one of our Consultant Dermatologists rather than assumed to be harmless.
How quickly should I book an appointment?
As soon as you notice the change. We offer prompt appointments for exactly this reason, so you do not need to wait and worry.
Will the mole need to be removed?
Not necessarily. Some changing moles are simply monitored or photographically mapped, while others are removed for histology. Your Consultant Dermatologist will advise based on what is found at assessment.
What should I look out for at home between checks?
The ABCDE guide is a helpful starting point: asymmetry, border irregularity, colour change, diameter over 6mm, and evolution or change over time. Any change at all is worth having checked.
Can I take photographs to track the mole myself?
Yes, though clinical mole mapping gives a more accurate, measured comparison than photographs taken at home, and is recommended if ongoing monitoring is advised.
Do I need a GP referral?
No, you can book directly with us. Consultant Dermatologist appointments are booked by phone or email so we can check whether you are insured or self-funding.
Get your concern assessed
First step
Dermatology Consultation, £300
Appointment
30 minutes
Availability
Usually within 1 to 2 weeks
Consultant Dermatologist appointments are booked by phone or email, so we can check whether you are insured or self-funding.
Treatments for changing mole
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