Moles are black or brown growths on the top layer of the skin. They are formed by the cells that are responsible for your skin color, melanocytes. In essence, these dark spots appear when skin cells grow in a cluster. If moles get heavily exposed to the sun, they can darken. Moles are also known to darken in pregnancy, during teen years, and in young adulthood.
Moles are usually flat, but raised moles are common as well. Genes have a lot to do with moles as they can also be hereditary. They are known to appear during the first 30 years of life. In some cases, people can develop moles even in their 40s.
In this article, you will learn how to remove a mole safely at home.
Different Types of Moles and How to Recognize Them
There are two main types of moles.
The first type is called congenital nevi. As the name suggests, congenital nevi are the moles that you get at birth.
The second type of moles, called dysplastic nevi, is more dangerous. These moles are larger than others and are characterized by their irregular shapes and uneven color.
If you notice this type of moles, make sure to thoroughly check them with your doctor as they can sometimes become skin cancer called melanoma.
Here are some more tips on distinguishing healthy moles from their malignant counterparts.
Healthy moles have a pretty simple, regular shape. They are round and have only one color. When it comes to their size, they are quite small – about 6mm in diameter or less.
As a rule, the sooner a melanoma is diagnosed the better the chances for the treatment to be effective. To determine if a certain mole is a sign of melanoma, you can use the so-called ABCDE rule.
The rule stands for:
- Asymmetry – The mole has raised areas and it is uneven in shape.
- Border – The mole has blurred, irregular edges.
- Color – The mole is uneven in color.
- Diameter – The mole is greater than 6mm.
- Evolving – The mole might bleed or leak fluid.
Although the ABCDE rule is quite accurate, it can’t be used to recognize all melanomas. In that case, simply search for any irregularities in shape as healthy moles are quite similar. This method is called the “ugly duckling sign”, and it requires you to compare a suspicious mole with other moles on your skin to determine if they’re really as different as they appear.
Should You Remove a Mole?
Although some moles are completely healthy, many people still decide to remove them for esthetic reasons.
Before deciding anything for yourself, make sure to visit your doctor. If a mole is suspicious, your doctor may even do a biopsy, during which they’ll remove small pieces of the mole in order to test it.
With that being said, if your mole is healthy, there is no need for its removal unless you absolutely want it. Keep in mind that it is always best to leave the mole alone if your doctor deemed it as normal.
How to Remove Moles?
It goes without saying that visiting your dermatologist is the safest method. Dermatologists have two very effective methods that they use for removing moles.
In the first method, they use surgical excision. They completely numb the area surrounding the mole and then simply cut the mole out. After this procedure, your wound is stitched up.
The second method is done by a surgical shave. The area around the mole will be numbed, and the mole will be cut out. However, in this case, no stitches are required.
If you don’t want to have the mole removed surgically, natural remedies may provide the solution that you’re looking for. Again, keep in mind that these methods might not be safe for everyone, so talking with your doctor first is always advised.
1. Use Baking Soda and Water
Simply make a thick paste of baking soda and water. You can use a cup or the palm of your hand. Apply the mixture to your mole and leave it throughout the night. In the morning, remember to wash the area.
2. Use Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is known for its acidic properties which have the ability to eliminate the cells of flat moles. Combine baking soda and apple cider vinegar in the palm of your hand and then apply the mixture directly to the mole. Secure the mole with a bandage.
You can leave this mixture on for a couple of hours and then rinse the area and apply again.
3. Use Baking Soda and Castor Oil
This method requires you to mix one teaspoon of baking soda with a drop of castor oil. Make sure to blend them into a thick paste.
After that’s done, apply the mixture to the mole and repeat the procedure until the mole is gone.
Note that people with sensitive skin should be very careful with these methods as they could have negative effects on their skins.
Some people also use mole removal creams. However, research shows that they are potentially very dangerous, which is why you should avoid them.
In order to prevent moles from reappearing again, avoid excessive sun exposure and remember to use sun creams. Also, never attempt to surgically remove moles on your own.
The Final Word
Now you know how to get rid of moles, but keep in mind that doing this without your doctor’s approval is a huge risk. If your moles are healthy, it is best to just let them be. However, if your moles are bothering you that much, you could try some of the natural remedies described in this article.
Remember to check your moles if they change color or size. Use the ABCDE rule to determine if a mole is healthy, and if you can’t determine for yourself, head straight to your doctor’s office.
Skin cancer is unfortunately quite common, and unusual-looking moles are often the first symptom. The best way to ensure that people get an effective treatment is to examine suspicious moles and diagnose any problems as soon as possible.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK321126
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=mole+removal+creams
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