How to protect your moles in the sun
With summer fast approaching, this time of year means paying special attention to your moles. Applying SPF, layering up and keeping your moles away from the sun’s strong rays can all help in protecting yourself as the weather hots up. Here is our guide on moles & sun exposure.
What can I do to protect my moles in the sun?
Have you noticed new moles popping up after spending a day in the sun? While you might be convinced they have always been there, it is entirely possible they haven’t. Overexposure and sunburn can lead to new moles and the development of existing ones; this is especially true in people with fair hair or sensitive skin. And if you have between 50-100 moles, you are at a higher risk during sun exposure. To help prevent damage, we would advise chasing the shade during midday as this is when the sun is at it’s highest. Wearing wide-brimmed hats and avoiding sunbeds can also help to protect delicate skin. Additionally, we would always advise against the use of sunbeds if you have a large number of moles.
What does an abnormal mole look like?
Moles can change drastically in a short space of time, and it’s important to know whether they’re healthy. If your mole has become raised, changed in texture or has darkened in colour, it’s worth getting it checked out. Bleeding, painful or blotchy moles are also considered abnormal.
When checking moles for changes, always remember ABCDE:
A- Asymmetrical shape
B- Border/irregular or lumpy borders
C- Colour
D- Diameter/size
E- Evolution/change
What does sunlight do to moles?
In extreme cases, exposing moles to the sun can lead to melanoma- a form of skin cancer developed from cells called melanocytes. Melanoma can occur anywhere on the body and is most commonly diagnosed through the changing behaviour of moles. Because melanoma progresses downwards into the skin and can spread to other areas of the body, it is important to recognise it early to discuss the possibility of mole removal.
Is mole removal an option?
Considering mole removal doesn’t always have to be on medical grounds. Not everyone likes how their moles look- and that’s OK. It can take a lot of effort to ensure your moles are protected from the sun, and we understand that you don’t always want to cover up. If you are concerned about your moles or you are unhappy with their appearance, you may want to consider mole removal.
How is a mole removed?
Mole removal treatment is commonly performed by one of our experienced dermatologists who will remove the mole and send it for analysis to ensure there are no abnormal cells. Our experienced doctors will then complete the procedure by inserting small stitches. A local anaesthetic is used to keep any pain from the mole removal to a minimum, this is applied 5-10 minutes before the procedure begins. You’ll be able to leave the clinic as soon as your treatment has been completed, and you should be fine to go about your normal day-to-day activities. You’ll need to keep the wound dry for two days and will be advised to return to the clinic to have your stitches removed 7-10 days post-treatment. The techniques we use are designed to minimise any scarring, however, after removing a mole, a small scar may remain, which should fade in time. Rarely, some people with very dark or light skin may find they have a larger scar than usual.
In addition to mole removal on black/brown growths on the skin we also offer removal treatments on:
• Cysts – sacs filled with fluid or semi-fluid material.
• Skin tags – small protruding pieces of skin that can grow in the groin area, armpits, neck and eyelids.
• Skin lesions – surface growths or patches of the skin that don’t resemble the skin around it.
• Lentigines – small dark spots on the skin that can be a genetic condition caused by excessive radiation or sun exposure
Paying for mole removal
Mole removal treatment starts from £550. We offer a choice of two finance options where you can pay a deposit of just £500 and choose either 12 monthly interest-free payments or spreading the cost over two to five years. Find out about our flexible finance options here.
Your mole removal team
Our professional practitioners and nurses are fully qualified to administer your mole removal treatment. Each year they perform thousands of procedures with Transform and between January and March 2017 alone, they helped 162 patients through mole and cyst removal treatment.
From your first contact with Transform, we want you to feel comfortable that you’ve come to the right place. We’re dedicated to providing exceptional care and we’re proud to say that so many of our patients agree. More than 95% rate their Transform experience as good or excellent and we receive enquiries from 15,000 people each year on the recommendation of family and friends.
Get in touch today
If you’re concerned or even embarrassed about your moles, at Transform we offer mole removal which is a simple procedure designed to get rid of them once and for all. Almost all common skin lesions are harmless, if you have a mole, cyst, skin-tag or lesion that we suspect may not be benign, we would not remove it and would refer you to your GP. Although our fully qualified dermatologists are skilled in mole removal, we would always advise to visit your GP if your mole has darkened, is bleeding or has changed drastically.
Here at Transform, our team guides thousands of people each year through their non-surgical journey. Get in touch and start your journey today.
