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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To get a mole removed for cosmetic reasons?

20 replies

TheUnsympathetic · 04/09/2013 11:28

It's brown and on my jawline. I really hate it; it makes my jawline look even saggier than it already is (I was a very fat-faced baby and now a reasonably thin adult). I've looked up local places this morning and it seems I could get it cut off and stitched up for £300.

So:
Am I being really vain?
Is a scar going to look worse than a mole?
WILL IT HURT???

OP posts:

HairyGrotter · 04/09/2013 11:34

If it makes you happier and more confident, do it. I think the surgeries now offer minimal scarring and I doubt it'll be more than a little sore. So YANBU

eurochick · 04/09/2013 11:38

You're not being vain and it would probably just be a little sore, but it will scar. They will either cut around it and stitch it, which would leave a linear scar, or do a "shave" removal, which would leave a burn-like mark. My mum has had loads removed by both methods and the scars are always visible. I have a mole on my face and I definitely prefer the mole to either of those scar options.

Binkyridesagain · 04/09/2013 11:41

My DH had a mole removed from his chin area, he kept catching it every time he shaved, there is the smallest of scars left just a line, you have to look closely to see it. When removing from areas that are on display they try very hard to ensure that the scarring is as minimal as possible.

ZolaBuddleia · 04/09/2013 11:46

I've had a few moles removed, and yup, they always scar.

NothingsLeft · 04/09/2013 11:47

I've had a few moles removed and it was great to be rid if them tbh. It was years ago & there barely scars there now. Rubbing evening primrose or Vit E oil on them once they are healed works winders

NothingsLeft · 04/09/2013 11:48

Oh and no, didn't hurt at all. I even had a sling tag removed from my nipple in pregnancy using the same method & couldn't even feel it.

Original poster

TheUnsympathetic · 04/09/2013 11:53

Thanks everyone! I would rather a small scar to the mole I think unless it had the same effect of drooping a bit of my jawline? From what I've read I'd have to have the cut/stitch method rather than the shave method as it's a brown mole?

I've been sucked in now and am looking at 'Advanced Mini Facelifts' which might be a bit much at 25...

OP posts:

DeWe · 04/09/2013 12:07

They won't do ones on the face generally unless they think they're cancerous, or causing bother in some non-cosmetic way.
I know someone who had a huge one (think 1" diameter raised by 1/2"+, dark brown) in the middle of their cheek, and it took a serious lot of pushing for them to even refer her as a possibility.

You also can't tell how much scarring will be left. I've had 4 moles removed. 2 of them have a tiny white mark where they used to be. 2 of them have a huge circle of scar tissue, about 1" round, very obviously different from the skin around. There was no outer difference in the miles, all about the same size, similar places.
None of these are in a position that can (usually) be seen, but the ones with the huge circle look far worse than the moles ever did, and would be dreadful on the face.

fluffyanimal · 04/09/2013 12:14

I had a large mole removed from my neck, it was brown and about the size of a pea. After having it all my life, one night while I was asleep, a chain I used to wear all the time, plus some of my long hair, got tangled around it and it was really painful to get free. So I had it removed. Luckily there is a GP at our local surgery who does minor cosmetic procedures and she removed it by the shave/burn process for £50.

I do have a flat, pale scar, a bit like a chicken pox scar, but nothing can get tangled in that! However, it did take a while to heal. The GP said it shouldn't need a dressing because the process was supposed to cauterise the wound as she cut it off, but due to the location the wound rubbed on shirt collars, scarfs etc and got infected. I'm still glad I had it done, however.

bluebell8782 · 04/09/2013 13:41

I had a mole on my chin which stuck out, I hated it! Went to the docs, he got me an appointment at the hospital where I had it removed within a matter of weeks. It didn't cost a thing. I have a small scar but it barely notices.
Go for it!

DropYourSword · 04/09/2013 14:06

I did. I'm really pleased with the result... tiny thin white mark on jawline. Much less noticeable than mole. Was a bit sore and itchy for a couple of days but nothing that paracetamol couldn't fix.

Sunrunner · 04/09/2013 14:09

I have a large mole on my cheek that I am in two minds about getting removed. It is getting bigger all the time but the doctor said I would have to get it burned off. He said it wouldn't hurt but there would be the smell of burning flesh, which made me feel sick at the thought of it.

I really don't know what to do either.

Icedink · 04/09/2013 14:13

DeWe where was that? I had one removed from my face for purely cosmetic reasons and didn't have to argue at all! Op if it bothers you do it! Mine was done by shave excision so the scar is really tiny and doesn't bother me at all. It stung for a few seconds while they injected the anaesthetic but other than that and a bit of soreness the next day it was fine.

Fakebook · 04/09/2013 14:16

I have one under my chin just where the neck starts. I wouldn't remove it because its a family trait. My mum used to have the classic one on her upper lip below her right nostril and one on the same place as mine. My grandmother, two aunts and three cousins also have the chin one and lip one.

If it makes you unhappy then remove it.

StraightJacket · 04/09/2013 14:27

I had a huge mole removed that was right next to my eye/nose right in the corner. Had it shaved off as that leaves minimal scarring apparently. Barely noticeable apart from the area is slightly paler than the rest of my skin.

Original poster

TheUnsympathetic · 04/09/2013 14:39

People who have had it done - did it make you want to have more taken of or have other procedures? I reckon I could get carried away...

OP posts:

StraightJacket · 04/09/2013 14:45

Well, I had another mole taken off too but that was by the NHS and because they wanted to send it off to be investigated because it was changing in appearance so wasn't done for cosmetic reasons. Although I was glad as it was on my jawline and I hated it!

That was 2 years ago and not wanted or been tempted to have anything else done since, but I don't have any other moles on show that aren't easily covered up!

ZolaBuddleia · 04/09/2013 15:01

All mine have been removed for health reasons. I'm sure I'll have more removed but I don't have any in places that give me cosmetic concerns.

Lilly3000 · 04/09/2013 15:18

I had a large mole on my cheek ( about 1cm) that made me horribly self conscious all through my teenage years. I had that one removed in my 20's after lots of hand wringing. Bloody brilliant. Yes I've got a scar but it's a lot lot better than having people tease you or stare. Made me feel much more confident. I have a fair amount of raised moles on my face and neck so I had quite a few of those removed too at a later date. They always sent them away for testing and they were all benign and I felt so much better. It's a small thing but it made me feel more 'normal'. Wouldn't ever consider a breast enlargement or anything major like that but this was a big relief.

tb · 04/09/2013 16:46

I had one on the end of my nose at one side. It was only a slightly different colour to my skin - a naevus apparently. I had it removed and only have a small scar - bit like an enlarged pore. It was done through the health service - and cost about ?200. I live in France so the system's not quite the same as the UK. Had a referral to the dermatologist, then back for the procedure and one appt afterwards. The bit he cut off was sent to a laboratory for analysis, and it was benign.

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