Moles, Skin Tags & Benign Lesions

Moles, Skin Tags & Benign Lesions

Moles, skin tags and other benign-looking skin lesions are common. Some people seek assessment because a lesion catches on clothing or jewellery, becomes irritated, or is cosmetically bothersome.

Others simply want to understand whether a visible skin growth may be suitable for cosmetic removal.

At Face and Body Adelaide, cosmetic treatment is considered only for lesions that are appropriate for the clinic’s scope and have been adequately assessed. For cosmetic removal of moles or suitable benign lesions, we require patients to have had an appropriate skin check within the previous 6 months.

Cosmetic appearance alone cannot reliably determine whether a lesion is benign, so suspicious, changing or uncertain lesions should be medically assessed before any removal procedure is considered.

This page is intended to explain cosmetic management of suitable benign lesions. It is not a skin-cancer screening or diagnostic service.

Moles Skin Tags Benign Lesions

Common Concerns

  • Skin tags on the neck, underarms or other friction-prone areas
  • Raised benign-looking lesions that catch on clothing or jewellery
  • Cosmetically bothersome moles that have been medically assessed where appropriate
  • Small benign skin growths or surface lesions
  • Lesions that become repeatedly irritated through friction
  • Previously assessed benign lesions where cosmetic removal is being considered

What Is a Mole?

A mole, also called a naevus, is a common skin lesion that can vary in colour, size, shape and whether it is flat or raised. Many moles are benign, but some skin cancers and atypical lesions can resemble ordinary moles.

For this reason, a cosmetic clinic should not remove a mole simply because it appears harmless. If a mole is new, changing, irregular, symptomatic or has not been appropriately assessed, medical review may be recommended before cosmetic treatment.

What Is a Skin Tag?

A skin tag is a soft, usually benign growth that often develops in areas where skin rubs against skin or clothing. Common locations include the neck, underarms and skin folds. Skin tags are usually harmless, but not every small raised lesion is a skin tag. Assessment is important when the diagnosis is uncertain or the lesion has unusual features.

What Do We Mean by Benign Skin Lesions?

The term benign skin lesion refers broadly to a non-cancerous skin growth or change. Different benign lesions can have different appearances and may require different management.

Face and Body Adelaide does not assume that an undiagnosed lesion is benign. Where there is uncertainty, or where a lesion has concerning features, appropriate medical or skin-cancer assessment should occur before cosmetic removal.

When Should a Mole or Skin Lesion Be Checked by a Doctor?

Medical assessment is particularly important if a mole or skin lesion is:

  • New or changing
  • Changing in size, shape or colour
  • Asymmetrical or irregular in appearance
  • Bleeding, crusting or repeatedly ulcerating
  • Itchy, painful or otherwise symptomatic without an obvious explanation
  • Different from your other moles or lesions
  • Rapidly growing
  • Uncertain in diagnosis

If there is any concern about skin cancer or another medical condition, cosmetic removal should be deferred until the lesion has been appropriately assessed. Depending on the situation, this may involve a GP, dermatologist or dedicated skin-cancer clinic.

Cosmetic Removal of Suitable Benign Lesions

Once a lesion has been assessed as appropriate for cosmetic management, the removal method depends on the type of lesion, its size, depth and location, the surrounding skin, the likelihood of scarring and the individual’s medical history.

Not every lesion is suitable for treatment at Face and Body Adelaide. In some cases, surgical removal, histopathology or specialist medical management may be more appropriate.

Plasma Pen

Plasma-based treatment may be considered for selected superficial benign lesions or skin tags where clinically appropriate and within practitioner scope. Suitability depends on the lesion type, location, skin characteristics, medical history and the expected risk of pigment change or scarring.

A lesion should not be treated with a cosmetic device merely to avoid appropriate medical diagnosis, surgical excision or histopathology when those are indicated.

CO2 Laser – Surgical Headpiece

A CO2 laser surgical headpiece may be considered for selected skin tags and suitable benign lesions following assessment. It allows targeted treatment of appropriate superficial tissue. Suitability depends on the lesion type, size, depth and location, as well as skin type, medical history, healing factors and the likelihood of pigment change or scarring.

CO2 laser treatment is not appropriate for a lesion that requires diagnostic excision or histopathology. If there is uncertainty about the lesion, or tissue examination is clinically indicated, an appropriate medical referral or removal method should be used instead.

Other Removal or Referral Options

Some benign lesions may be better suited to another removal method or referral pathway. Where a lesion is deeper, larger, diagnostically uncertain, recurrent or requires tissue examination, referral to an appropriately qualified medical practitioner may be recommended.

The aim is to choose the safest and most appropriate pathway rather than using one removal technique for every type of lesion.

Mole Removal and Histopathology

Some moles or other lesions require removal in a way that allows tissue to be sent for histopathology. Cosmetic destructive techniques do not provide a tissue sample for laboratory examination.

If histopathology is clinically indicated, or if the diagnosis is uncertain, referral for an appropriate medical removal method is preferable to cosmetic destruction of the lesion.

Scarring and Pigment Change

Any procedure that removes or destroys a skin lesion can leave a mark. Depending on the lesion, technique, treatment area and individual healing response, this may include temporary redness, lighter or darker pigmentation, textural change or a scar.

The goal of cosmetic removal is not to promise ‘scar-free’ treatment. Your practitioner should discuss the likely cosmetic trade-off between leaving the lesion untreated and the possibility of a visible mark after removal.

Before Your Treatment

Skin Check Within 6 Months

For cosmetic removal of moles or suitable benign lesions, Face and Body Adelaide requires patients to have had an appropriate skin check within the previous 6 months. If a lesion is new, changing, suspicious, symptomatic or uncertain in diagnosis, further medical assessment may be required before treatment.

Arrive 30 Minutes Early for Numbing

Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled procedure to allow time for preparation and topical numbing where appropriate.
Depending on the lesion, treatment area and procedure, local anaesthesia may also be used in selected cases. Your practitioner will discuss the planned pain-management approach, relevant risks and suitability before treatment.

Our Assessment-Led Approach

At Face and Body Adelaide, treatment begins with assessment rather than automatic removal. Your practitioner considers the lesion’s appearance and history, location, size, skin type, previous changes, medical history and whether medical assessment has already occurred.

If the lesion is not appropriate for cosmetic treatment, or there is uncertainty about its nature, referral will be recommended rather than proceeding.

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What to Expect During Your Consultation

Your practitioner may ask about and assess:

  • How long the lesion has been present
  • Whether it has changed
  • Any bleeding, crusting, pain, itching or other symptoms
  • Previous medical or skin-cancer assessment
  • Size, location and surface characteristics
  • Skin type and risk of pigment change
  • Previous lesion-removal procedures
  • Relevant medical history and medicines
  • Your reason for considering removal
  • Your expectations regarding scarring and cosmetic outcome
  • Confirmation of an appropriate skin check within the previous 6 months
  • Procedure preparation, including numbing and whether local anaesthesia may be appropriate

Depending on the findings, your practitioner may discuss cosmetic treatment, recommend medical assessment or referral, or advise that no treatment is appropriate. There is no obligation to proceed following consultation.

Risks & Considerations

Potential risks depend on the lesion and removal method. They may include pain or tenderness, redness, swelling, bleeding, crusting, infection, delayed healing, pigment change, textural change and scarring.

A lesion may also recur or may not be completely removed with a particular cosmetic technique. Treatment-specific risks, expected healing, aftercare and alternatives should be discussed before proceeding.

Cosmetic removal should never be represented as a substitute for appropriate medical assessment of a suspicious lesion.

Who May Not Be Suitable for Cosmetic Removal?

Cosmetic treatment may not be appropriate where a lesion is suspicious, changing, diagnostically uncertain, infected or inflamed, where histopathology may be required, or where another medical or surgical approach is more appropriate.

Treatment may also need to be postponed or avoided because of impaired healing, certain medical conditions or medicines, pregnancy or breastfeeding, or other procedure-specific contraindications.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Selected moles may be considered for cosmetic management only after appropriate assessment. If a mole is suspicious, changing or uncertain, medical assessment should occur before cosmetic removal.

Selected skin tags may be suitable for cosmetic removal after assessment. The practitioner first needs to confirm that the lesion appears appropriate for the clinic’s scope and chosen treatment method.
No cosmetic webpage or visual inspection alone should be relied on to exclude skin cancer. Suspicious or uncertain lesions require appropriate medical assessment.

Any removal procedure can leave a visible mark or scar. The likelihood and appearance depend on the lesion, treatment method, location and individual healing response.

Some skin cancers and atypical lesions can resemble benign moles or other skin growths. Medical assessment helps determine whether cosmetic removal is appropriate or whether another diagnostic or treatment pathway is needed.

Some lesions can recur, particularly if part of the lesion remains or because of its underlying nature. Recurrence risk varies according to the lesion and removal method.
Not every lesion requires histopathology, but some do. If tissue examination is clinically indicated, a removal method that preserves a specimen and an appropriate medical pathway should be used.
Yes. Face and Body Adelaide requires an appropriate skin check within the previous 6 months before cosmetic removal of moles or suitable benign lesions. Further medical assessment may be required if a lesion has changed or has suspicious or uncertain features.
Please arrive at least 30 minutes early so there is time for preparation and topical numbing where appropriate. Local anaesthesia may also be used in selected cases depending on the lesion and procedure.
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Moles, Skin Tags & Benign Lesions Consultation in Adelaide

If you are considering cosmetic removal of a mole, skin tag or other benign-looking lesion, a consultation can help determine whether the concern appears suitable for treatment at Face and Body Adelaide or whether medical assessment is more appropriate.

Our approach prioritises appropriate assessment, realistic expectations and referral when a lesion falls outside the clinic’s cosmetic scope.

Book a consultation with Face and Body Adelaide to discuss suitable benign skin-lesion concerns and available management options.