How to Get Rid of Moles: Can Natural Remedies Help?

Lotus91

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posted on 11 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Moles are harmless clumps of pigment that can grow on your skin. Most people have at least one mole on their bodies, so you’re not alone if you have a few. They usually don’t cause any problems, but you might want yours removed because it gets in the way of your clothes or you just don’t like how it looks. While you may want to avoid going to the doctor, unfortunately, you’ll need a dermatologist appointment to get rid of your mole properly. Trying to remove a mole by yourself can lead to all kinds of problems, so don’t try it. Luckily, mole removal is a simple and routine procedure that any dermatologist can do in just a few minutes. Schedule your appointment and your mole will be gone in no time!

Steps

Professional Treatments

Visit a dermatologist if your mole is bothering you. You might want your mole removed because it’s rubbing against your clothes, feels inflamed, or you just don’t like how it looks. Whatever the reason, always start by visiting a dermatologist to talk about removing your mole safely. If you want the mole removed, they’ll probably do it right there in the office. Even if a mole isn’t bothering you, visit a dermatologist for a checkup if the mole grows, is dark or multicolored, has an uneven border, or suddenly changes shape. These are potential signs of skin cancer.

Have the dermatologist shave off small moles. For small moles that don’t reach below your skin surface, the dermatologist will probably do a simple surgical shave. They’ll numb the area and shave the mole off with a blade. This is a quick procedure that only takes a few minutes. Your dermatologist will numb the area with a shot, so be prepared for some pain when you get the injection. This should only last for a few seconds, though, and the area will get numb quickly afterward. You probably won’t need stitches for a shave, but follow all of your dermatologist’s home-care instructions to prevent an infection.

Let the dermatologist cut out larger moles. If the mole is larger or deep under the skin surface, then you’ll need a slightly more involved procedure called an excision. Rather than just shaving the mole off, the dermatologist will use a scalpel and dig it out entirely. You’ll probably need a few stitches to close the wound. This is still a simple procedure that will be over quickly. This sounds painful but your skin will be numb when your dermatologist does this. Remember that the initial shot to numb the area will be a little painful, though. This should pass quickly.

Try freezing or burning to remove other moles. These are 2 less common methods for removing moles. To freeze the mole, the dermatologist will spray liquid nitrogen and it should fall off on its own. A burning treatment uses electricity to shave away the top layers of the mole until it’s completely gone. Your skin will also be numb during these treatments. After the pain from the shot, you shouldn't feel anything. These are more popular methods for removing skin tags, so your dermatologist probably won’t try them on a mole.

Hiding Your Mole

Cover the mole with makeup to conceal it. This is a simple and popular way to hide moles if you don’t want to remove them. Get a makeup that matches your skin tone to make it less obvious. Start by applying concealer primer over the mole, then dab the concealer on. Finish with some powder foundation to hide the mole.

Pluck any hairs coming out of the mole so it’s less noticeable. Hairs sometimes grow out of moles, which could draw attention to them. You can pluck this hair out with tweezers so your moles are easier to see. There are also procedures that your dermatologist could use to remove hair from moles permanently. Talk to them if you’re interested in trying this.

Do not try to hide a mole by tattooing over it. Some people try this as a cover-up method, but it’s a bad idea. You won’t be able to see changes in the mole, like a darker color or changing border, which could be a sign of skin cancer. Skip this method, even if you have tattoos in other spots.

Home Remedies You Should Never Try

Do not try to cut a mole off yourself. While cutting the mole off is the most common removal method that dermatologists use, these are trained professionals with the right tools. Cutting off a mole yourself will be extremely painful. It can also lead to an infection or severe scarring. Leave the cutting to your dermatologist.

Avoid over-the-counter mole removal creams. You might come across these creams on the internet. None of them are proven to work, and there are cases of some causing severe scarring as a side effect.

Don’t use garlic on moles. Garlic does have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. However, it doesn’t have any effect on moles, and it could also cause serious skin irritations. Keep the garlic on your food instead of on your moles.

Keep vinegar off of your skin. Both white and apple cider vinegar are popular home remedies to lighten or remove moles. Not only is there no evidence that this works, but undiluted vinegar could cause a chemical burn. Skip this remedy.