Aibu to want the mole on my face removed?

[Lime12]

I am fair skinned with quite a few freckles. I also have several moles on my face (hundreds on my body) and one in particular really bothers me. It is large and dark And in middle of my cheek! I have hated it forever and it really affects my confidence. I think about it everytime I look in mirror and feel sad.

I went previously to Nhs dr who said I could be left with a scar or a keloid scar if I had it removed and it could potentially look worse than before! So I left it.

Recently it's been upsetting me though. My family members keep mentioning my flaws ("has it grown" "did you know you have one here too"etc) it's really starting to piss me off but got me thinking about if I could pay to have it done by a private plastic surgeon. My family pointing out my flaws is another thread for another day!

Anyone got any advice? Did you have it done and do you have a scar? Any recommendations for a good surgeon?

[Grilledaubergines]

Do you get keloid scarring? Unlikely to get it now if not had it before (ear piercings etc can give keloid scarring.

I'd get it removed. Removal is done very neatly and plenty of products available to help reduce/fade possible scarring.

[Lime12]

I'm not really even sure what keloid scaring is? I do have my ears pierced and there are tiny lumps when I push the holes of you see what I'm saying but I think that is normal.when I google keloid scarring I don't have any scars that are big and beyond the edge of original wound. Mine are all white and flat (from cuts spots etc)

[PurpleWithRed]

I had a large mole on my face - when I was young it was a beauty spot, then one day I looked in the mirror and realise it was a moley moley hairy mole. Had it taken off, have a small scar I can see if I look hard but it was a fantastic confidence boost having it gone and well worth the private surgeon. I would far rather have the small scar than the mole.

And my son, then only about 9, asked if he could have one removed too that had been commented on. So he had his done at the same time and it transformed his confidence too.

Go for it! And then tell your family you're not interested in their opinion.

[jollygoose]

I had a mole on my chin and horribly it would sprout hairs which I had to keep cutting and some times thje mole would bleed. I had it removed as hospital out patient and best thing I ever did well worth it.

[Lime12]

I would rather have a small scar than this. People never look in my eyes, I feel eyes wondering. It is not pretty! It's just the fear of a large ugly scar that stops me. Money not an issue! I'd give my life savings over to make me feel less like a witch.

[Grilledaubergines]

You'd know if you had keloid OP As the scars are raised and really quite big. The earring thing you describe is normal.

[Woobeedoo]

I had a few miles on my face that bothered me. They weren't huge - about 3mm wide.

My first GP did the "you'll have a big scar as they cut around the mole in an almond shape so it can be stitched plus you'll probably get keloid scarring". I them moved area and tried a different GP. They removed it no problem and totally differently to how scare monger GP said, in that the area was numbed (and that bloody hurt as they had to inject around and then directly into the mole). For the larger mole they scraped it off using a scalpel and then heat sealed it (lovely smell that creates!) and for the smaller ones they just used the heat sealer to burn them away.

It took probably 20minutes all in and I left with what looked like black cigarette burns on my face. They dried out and dropped off after a few days.

The bigger mole has since come back but only around the outer edges which is weird, so instead of one big-ish mole, I gave about 4 teeny ones but they aren't that noticeable.

I had no scarring, keloid or otherwise.

[Lime12]

Thanks all. The Nhs guy said that because I'm pale, id be more likely to get a raised horrid scar. I think it might be worth initial consultation with a private.how did you find a good person to do the procedure?

[Woobeedoo]

Moles not miles. Sodding autocorrect.

[Woobeedoo]

There are excellent products out to put over cuts - either accidents or surgical, to compress them, keep them moist and prevent keloid scars. I'm not sure what they are called, but they are a solid gel - I bought some many years ago and you could cut the product into whatever size you needed. You apply it to the cut for the specified amount of time and it really does work.

I had a huge mole above my breast removed and I git a large keloid scar. It was such a tight scar I couldn't move my arm backwards without pain. I bought the gel stuff, applied as directed and the scar flattened and now (after just checking it) found that it is slightly dipped and pale but barely noticeable.

I'd suggest speaking to a good pharmacist to see if they know what product I'm referring to as its ace.

[GoEasyPudding]

Do your research and go for consultations, see what the experts have to say. I did this, pleased I did, I rather like my scar. There are different types of moles so there will be different types of scars.
Mine was done in the old days before the internet so I went via the NHS and then went private.

[Lime12]

Thanks all for your help!

[DisappointedOne]

I have a mole/beauty spot on my cheek. Never considered having it removed.

It's about a cm from a keloid scar from an accident I had as a teenager. So no way would I consider removing while it's obviously harmless.

[Gemdiddly86]

Lime I am fair, freckly and quite moley. Until 4 years ago I had a raised mole under my lip which was about 1/2cm in diameter. I was the same as you - quite liked it but as I got older it got a bit bigger... And hairier

So I had it removed at a private dermatology clinic based in a doctors surgery in Yorkshire where I'm from. About £100. Best decision I made. Quick, painless and once the scab healed (less than 2 weeks I think) you could hardly tell I had anything there. I did use bio oil to reduce scarring (that gave me spots but I put up with them whilst I used it) and there are still a few odd hairs that grow there still (gross I know, but nothing a pair of tweezers won't sort )

Just so you can see the difference I've attached a before and after pic. I'm not wearing any coverup in the after pic so you can see there's hardly a mark
Best of luck whatever you decide!

[Lime12]

Wow if I had that result gem I'd do it right this second! Thanks for pics.

[Fluffyears]

I had similar to a pp, horrible big hairy thing on my chin. Spent my younger years being teased constantly and had no confidence. I got it removed as a teenager. I have a flat scar that is skin coloured and not immediately noticeable. you may be left with a scar which may be covetable with make up.

[Theoretician]

I've twice had "moles" removed from face and neck. (Not sure they were actually moles as they were raised lumps and colourless. I have hundreds of moles elsewhere, which are generally flat and brown.) First time cut out and second time removed with laser. Both done privately. (Don't think NHS does minor cosmetic surgery?) Totally worth it. I can't find the scar from the first one now, it's probably there, but it's a lot less noticeable than the mole it replaced.

Did I mention it was worth it?

[Theoretician]

If you Google "mole removal" you will find specialists who do nothing else.

[Sunbeam1112]

My friend had a big red birth mark on her cheek. She had it removed and you can barely see the scar. Shes never looked back since. Do what makes you feel right x

[Killairno]

Yanbu
I have a mole on my face too. Near my jawline. It grows hairs. I pluck them. I worry that plucking them will somehow increase the chances of it becoming cancerous. I tried to pick it off as a child. I am mostly at peace with it now but if it was still upsetting me, I would get it removed. Good luck!

[MsJamieFraser]

my mum had two big sticky out moles, she got the one on the bridge of her nose removed as it was very unsightly, she has no scarring from it. The one on her "tash" sticks out but is very light.

[ALaughAMinute]

I had a mole removed from the end of my nose of all places! It left a tiny scar but looks much better than the unsightly mole I had beforehand.

I had to pay to have it done privately but very definitely have no regrets.

[AnotherTimeMaybe]

I had a mole and had it removed quite young around 17 cause it looked odd and were worried about tumour! Anyway best thing ive ever done!! I do have a keloid from it but it's tiny and to be honest I prefer the keloid than the mole!

Good luck x

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

My daughter has a keloid scar on her chin from an accident. Specialist dressings and ointment from the plastic surgeon have made no difference to it. She is quite pale too

I'm not saying don't have it removed, just that it's naive to think all keloid scars are fixable. My daughter isn't particularly bothered by her scar and it covers up quite well with make up.

[uggmum]

I had a large mole on the side of my nose. I hated it.
I had it removed last year. It's made such s difference. I feel my face is symmetrical.
I went to a private clinic. I had a consultants toon, removal, after care pack of dressings and special spray and then a check up a few weeks later.

It was painless and I do not have a scar. I wish I'd done it years ago. It cost £175.