What Happens if you Cut a Mole

Sometimes, moles accidentally get cut and bleed.

As the average adult will have around 40 moles and some have up to 400, the chances of accidentally nicking a mole can actually be fairly high – especially where the moles are protruding or raised and can catch – for example – on a zip or while shaving.

Instinct is often to panic. Firstly, moles tend to bleed quite profusely for a long time, so there is the practical issue of stopping the bleeding. This is best handled as with any localised cut in the first instance – by raising the area and applying pressure to the area using a clean and dry absorbent material for several minutes (e.g. bandage, towel or handkerchief ) until the bleeding stops.

However, secondly and perhaps more importantly, moles are associated with the risk of skin cancer and patients can become very concerned about whether disturbing the skin cells of the mole by making it bleed could have further implications.

The good news is that cutting a mole will not in itself cause it to become cancerous.

However…  it is always important to be very vigilant about any changing moles and to seek attention if there are any concerns about suspicious or abnormal behaviour. For example, if a mole is bleeding sporadically without having been cut, then that is certainly unusual. Equally, any changes in shape, colour, symmetry or size may be warning signs.

The rule of thumb is:

“If in doubt, check it out”

Any concerns should be raised with a doctor in the first instance for an examination and diagnosis. Mole checks are also available at Cosmedics’ mole clinics with locations in London and Bristol.

MOLE REMOVAL TREATMENT

Mole removal is offered by Cosmedics Skin Clinics’ doctors using a local anaesthetic and surgical techniques. Smaller moles tend to be removed using laser to leave minimum scarring.

Cosmedics Skin Clinics has mole clinics with locations in London and Bristol. All moles are sent away for testing as a precaution and results are relayed quickly back to the client for peace of mind.

More information about moles is available on this website.

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.