Mole removal in Japan and what expats should know

For many of us expats living in Japan, everyday health habits can fall off the radar, and skin checks are a good example. As an Australian, regular mole checks are almost second nature back home, thanks to our (unfortunate) high skin cancer rates and strong public health messaging. Here in Japan, awareness around monitoring moles can feel a little less front and center, even though early detection is just as important.

Image created by Canva

A recent survey by Medical Corporation Tekkeikai offered some helpful insight into how mole removal is approached in Japan, and I think there's some utility in sharing that info here. The online survey of 300 people aged 20 to 60 found that around 70% chose laser treatment, with respondents citing minimal scarring, short treatment times, and no need for stitch removal as deciding factors. Costs most commonly fell between 5,000 and 30,000 yen per mole, with many people spending under 30,000 yen in total.

That ease does come with trade-offs. The survey found that 23.4% of people who had laser treatment experienced a recurrence, compared with just 4.2% for surgical excision. The research explained that laser treatment is best suited to flat moles 5mm or smaller, whereas excision is generally recommended for larger or raised moles, or when there is any concern about malignancy. Importantly, excision allows for pathological testing, which laser treatment can't provide.

Downtime is another factor. Laser treatment usually heals within one to two weeks, although some redness can linger for several months. On the flip side, excision involves stitches and a longer recovery, but offers more reassurance due to the lower risk of recurrence.

Another thing worth knowing is that excision may be covered by national health insurance if it's deemed as medically necessary, while laser treatment is usually considered cosmetic.

I think the research is a good reminder not to ignore moles that change in size, color, or shape. It's a message that gets drummed into us in my home country, but not one that I've regularly seen publicized here.