How much does mole removal cost?

There is no standard price for mole removal, because the variables that drive it differ for every patient. Cost is determined at a no-obligation consultation once the lesions have been examined.

As at September 2024 and including GST, a mole removal consultation with a Cosmetic Doctor is $150.

What determines the price

How many lesions are being removed. Removing several in one appointment is generally more efficient than several separate visits.
Which method is appropriate - see the comparison below. Surgical excision is a longer procedure than a radiofrequency shave and involves closure and follow-up.
The size and depth of each lesion.
Where it is. The face, eyelids, ears and other sites where closure needs particular care take longer.
Whether pathology is required. Where a lesion is excised and sent for histopathology, there is a laboratory component.
Whether it is a cosmetic or a medical removal - which determines whether a Medicare rebate is available at all.

Cosmetic or medical - the distinction that matters most for cost

Cosmetic removal - a benign mole removed because you would rather not have it, or because it catches on clothing or jewellery or gets nicked while shaving. Not covered by Medicare.

Medical removal - where a practitioner is concerned a lesion may be, or may become, a melanoma or another skin cancer. The lesion is excised and sent for laboratory examination, and if it is cancerous it needs to be completely removed. A Medicare rebate may be available in these circumstances - MBS item 45060 covers skin cancer removal with reconstructive surgery, and other items apply to biopsy and excision depending on the lesion and site.

Whether your circumstances meet the criteria is a clinical judgement made at consultation. Me Clinic is not a no-gap provider, so out-of-pocket costs apply even where a rebate is available. See does Medicare cover my surgery.

How to check a mole: ABCDE

Check your moles periodically, or have someone check the areas you cannot see. Have a mole assessed if it shows any of these:

A - Asymmetry. One side does not match the other.
B - Border. Blurred, notched or irregular.
C - Colour. More than one colour, or uneven colour.
D - Diameter. Larger than about 6 mm. Melanomas can be smaller, so size alone is not reassuring.
E - Elevation or Evolution. Becoming raised, or changing in any way over time.

Change is the most important sign. Also see a doctor about any spot that bleeds, itches persistently, or does not heal.

The methods, and what each costs you in scarring and time

Laser mole removal

Lasers used for flat pigmented lesions include IPL, KTP and Nd:YAG. They emit specific wavelengths absorbed by the pigment, and the heat also seals the treated area. Generally mild discomfort, fast healing and no downtime.

Suitable only for lesions assessed as benign - laser destroys the tissue, so nothing remains for pathology.

Cryotherapy (freezing)

Liquid nitrogen freezes the lesion; the treated cells die and fall away. Used predominantly for warts, skin tags and other benign growths, and some seborrhoeic keratoses. Generally minimal scarring. Again, destructive - benign lesions only.

Shave excision

Raised moles are removed with a scalpel level with the skin, leaving flat skin. The wound takes several weeks to heal and a small scar may be noticeable. Tissue is available for pathology where required.

Ellipse excision

The most invasive option, and the one used for suspicious lesions and for those not suitable for laser or shave removal. The whole lesion is removed in one piece and the wound closed with sutures. After healing, a thin scar remains. This is the method that provides a definitive diagnosis.

An honest note on scarring

Whether a mole removal leaves a visible scar depends on the lesion and the method. Radiofrequency and laser removal involve no incision and often leave skin that gradually lightens toward your normal tone - but pigment change can persist, and no method is guaranteed scarless. Excision always leaves a scar.

See mole removal and scarring.

Aftercare and what it may add

Your practitioner will give post-treatment instructions and may recommend products to support healing - antibacterial creams, lotions or serums. Budget for these alongside the procedure itself.

Do not touch or rub the treated skin.
A scab will form and separate naturally. Do not pick it.
Avoid sun exposure and exfoliation for around two weeks.
Use the recommended products until healing is complete.
Apply sunscreen whenever outdoors - a healing site pigments easily in the sun.

Where sutures were used, there is a removal appointment. Where tissue went to pathology, there is a result to be given. Ask what follow-up is included in your quote.

Risks

Scarring; changes in pigmentation at the site which may persist; infection; bleeding; delayed healing or wound separation; keloid or hypertrophic scarring; incomplete removal requiring further treatment; recurrence; altered sensation; and, where a lesion is destroyed rather than excised and examined, a missed diagnosis.

Please read our information on the risks and complications of cosmetic surgery before proceeding.

Frequently asked questions

Does removing a mole leave a scar?

It depends on the lesion and the method. Excision always leaves one. Radiofrequency and laser involve no incision and often leave a mark that fades considerably, but a visible mark or a persistent pigment change is possible with any method. No result can be guaranteed.