Moles are not dangerous in most cases, but they can be unsightly and make you feel uncomfortable. Whether you are willing to go the surgical route or prefer to treat the mole with home methods, know that most moles are relatively easy to remove. If you want to get rid of a bad mole as quickly as possible, here are some tips you can follow.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Surgical Treatments
Step 1. Consult your doctor or dermatologist
You must have your mole examined by a doctor or dermatologist before deciding whether to remove it. Your doctor can tell you if your mole is malignant. It can also evaluate which removal method is best for you.
- The vast majority of moles are benign. While symptoms such as itching, bleeding, and changes in size or color may indicate that the mole is malignant;
- If a mole is malignant, it must be removed as soon as possible;
- If your mole isn't dangerous, it doesn't need to be removed. However, many people prefer to remove them for cosmetic reasons.
- Your doctor will follow the ABCDE guide to determine if your mole is dangerous. ABCDE> Asymmetry, Edges, Color, Diameter and Evolution.
Step 2. Evaluate the different options
There are various removal methods and you need to carefully consider which one is best for you. You have to evaluate:
- Effectiveness. Consider the effectiveness of each treatment. Is this the right procedure to completely remove the mole? Is there a risk that it will grow back?
- Cost. The different treatments can vary in terms of price, so think about what you can afford.
- Risk. What are the risks associated with each treatment? Can the mole get infected? Is there a risk of scarring or damage to the nerves? Do you need anesthesia?
Step 3. Evaluate the removal with a simple cut or shave
This type of removal works best for superficial moles. It can be removed with a pair of surgical scissors or shaved with a scalpel.
- First, the surgeon cuts off the mole, so that it no longer forms a lump on the skin;
- With this type of removal, no stitches are required. The wound is cauterized or covered with a cream or solution to stop the bleeding. Then a topical antibiotic is applied;
- The wound is bandaged and you can leave the surgery in minutes.
Step 4. Evaluate excision with excision followed by sutures
This type of removal is best suited to darker colored moles or flat ones that penetrate deep into the skin.
- First, the mole and surrounding skin are sterilized and anesthetized;
- Then, the surgeon uses the scalpel and extracts the mole. How deep the incision must be depends on the size of the mole and whether it is malignant or not. A larger area is usually cut if the mole is malignant, to make sure it is completely removed.
- The wound is then closed with sutures. Some types of stitches require a second dressing to remove, while others dissolve on their own.
Step 5. Consider removal by cryosurgery, or freezing
This is an alternative removal method that uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the mole. It is only offered by some clinics.
- Liquid nitrogen can be applied directly to the mole using a cotton swab, or in the form of a spray;
- It may be necessary to apply liquid nitrogen several times to get rid of the mole completely. A blister may form, but once healed, the skin should return to normal.
Step 6. Evaluate the removal by electrocoagulation, or burning
This method burns the mole causing an electric shock. In this way, after several sessions, the tissue of the mole is destroyed. There is no need for stitches in this treatment, as the heat of the electricity cauterizes the wound.
Two other specialized methods offered by some clinics are radiosurgery, which uses the frequency of radio waves or electricity, and laser treatments. Both of these methods work on the same principle, which is to burn the tissue of the mole
Step 7. Learn about electrosurgery
It might be a good option to discuss with your doctor. Using this method for mole removal can reduce possible bleeding, thereby reducing the risk of complications, promotes rapid wound healing, and also minimizes scarring.
Method 2 of 3: Home Remedies
Step 1. Use aloe vera
It can be useful as a remedy for skin ailments such as psoriasis, canker sores, burns and chilblains. Applying aloe vera to the mole daily could help remove it. If you opt for this solution, apply a generous amount to the mole and then cover the area with a clean cotton bandage. Leave the bandage on for three hours, then remove it and rinse the aloe residue from the skin. Do this every day for three weeks and you may see some results.
Step 2. Try Apple Cider Vinegar
Miraculous ingredient used in many home remedies, it is one of the most common treatments for removing moles. The acids contained in the vinegar, such as malic and tartaric acid, work to dissolve the mole, completely removing it from the skin. Just dab a little on clean skin every day with a cotton swab.
Step 3. Know that garlic can also be effective
It is another all-purpose remedy, and many believe it to be an effective treatment for removing moles. Just crush some fresh garlic, make a paste and apply it carefully directly on the mole, avoiding touching the surrounding skin (garlic can burn). Cover with a bandage and leave for a few hours or overnight. This method is said to be effective in as little as five days.
Step 4. Use iodine
It's a good option for people with more sensitive skin, as it doesn't burn like garlic or apple cider vinegar. Apply iodine directly to the mole with a cotton swab, up to three times a day. Keep doing this every day, until you see a noticeable improvement in the appearance of the mole.
Step 5. Try unripe apple juice
Take the juice from a couple of cooked unripe apples and apply some directly to the mole. As with apple cider vinegar, the acids in this juice work to dissolve the mole, but you need to wait at least three weeks before you begin to see any improvement.
Step 6. Make a pineapple and sea salt mixture
Pineapple juice can be applied directly to the mole, but try mixing half a glass with a quarter cup of coarse sea salt to make a great scrub. It can help remove the upper skin layers of the mole.
Step 7. Try castor oil and baking soda
Mix one tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of castor oil to make a paste. Apply some directly to the mole and leave for several hours or overnight before rinsing.
Step 8. Try using honey
It is mostly known as a delicious treat for the throat, but did you know that it also boasts remarkable antibacterial and medical properties? Dab some honey directly on the mole for a safe and natural treatment. If you want, add a drop of flaxseed oil which has calming properties.
Step 9. Use home remedies responsibly
There are numerous home remedies for getting rid of moles using natural ingredients. While there is little scientific evidence on the outcome of these treatments, many people attest to their effectiveness. Just be careful when using acidic natural juices, which can burn the skin. To use safe but effective home remedies, apply natural fruit juices at least once and up to three times a day.
- If you have very sensitive skin, do not leave the juice for more than 10 or 15 minutes, to avoid irritating it;
- Try applying some petroleum jelly around the mole. This will avoid unnecessarily irritating the skin during the treatment;
- The time it takes for the mole to lighten or disappear varies from person to person;
- Be aware that home remedies do not work any faster or more effectively than surgical removal or medicinal creams which are stronger, but they are a good solution if you are looking for a no-cost natural remedy.
Method 3 of 3: Using Medicinal Creams
Step 1. Try using the cream to remove the mole
These creams are an affordable and fairly effective method of removing moles at home.
- Most creams work by shrinking the mole until it is no longer visible and this can happen within a few weeks.
- Stronger creams, sold without a prescription, act on the skin by removing layer by layer until the mole is completely removed.
- Keep in mind that creams can actually leave scars worse than post surgical removal.
Step 2. Try a whitening cream
Even a common whitening cream can be effective in reducing the appearance of moles. It works like other creams as it removes the mole on a superficial level by lightening the skin.
Advice
- Always wear sunscreen when outdoors. This helps prevent the formation of malignant moles.
- Be aware of your body and any changes in your moles over time. This is especially true for dark or flat moles. See your doctor if you are concerned about a mole.
Warnings
- If you are treating your mole at home, consider that some natural treatments, such as apple cider vinegar and garlic, can burn the skin and cause scarring. Apply petroleum jelly to the surrounding area to avoid burns.
- Many people want to remove their moles for cosmetic reasons, not realizing that each removal can cause a scar. Often the surgeon can give you an idea of what the scar may look like before deciding whether to remove the mole.
