According to the American Academy of Dermatology, nearly all adults have a few skin moles. Moles appear during childhood and adolescence, and people with lighter skin tend to have more of them. It’s not unusual to have up to forty moles on your body.
In most cases, moles aren’t harmful and it’s not necessary to remove them. However, there are some notable exceptions.
Why Do People Choose to Have Their Moles Removed?
You may want to get rid of a mole because you dislike the way it looks on your skin. While some moles are small and referred to as beauty marks, others are seen as unsightly. Many people choose mole removal for cosmetic reasons, and dermatologists are absolutely willing to perform this kind of treatment.
But there are also practical reasons to get rid of moles. There are moles that can rub up against clothing and cause discomfort. It’s better to remove them than risk skin infections.
Most importantly, your doctor will want to remove moles that are a sign of skin cancer. Getting rid of suspicious moles is an effective preventive measure against serious complications.
How to Recognize a Melanoma
Melanoma is a type of cancer that can start in any part of the body that has pigmented tissues. Most frequently, they start in your skin.
You don’t want to put off treating melanoma if you recognize the symptoms. People with a family history of skin cancers have to be particularly careful.
In the beginning, skin melanoma looks a lot like a harmless mole. This is why it’s crucial to learn the difference between harmless and suspicious moles. So let’s take a look at the ABCDEs of a melanoma:
A – Asymmetry
If one side of the mole looks different from the other, you should seek out medical advice because it might be cancerous.
B – Border
Melanomas have an irregular, poorly-defined, or scalloped border.
C – Color
While melanomas can be brown, red, blue, black, or white, they tend to come in varied shades. If a mole changes color over time, contact a doctor right away.
D – Diameter
Melanomas are typically larger in diameter than a pencil eraser.
E – Evolving
If your mole is changing size or shape, it might be a sign of melanoma. Newly formed moles on adults are suspicious as well.
You should also note that melanomas can cause itching and discomfort. If you experience symptoms like that, find a dermatologist. Even if it’s not cancer, why should you deal with bothersome moles? The removal process is relatively simple and has instantaneous results.
How to Get Rid of Moles at a Clinic
If you have a mole that you want to remove, you should contact a doctor. Here is what will happen.
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Diagnosing the Mole
First, your doctor will study the mole. If there’s any indicator that it could be melanoma, your dermatologist will do a biopsy. They’ll take a small sample of skin cells directly from the mole, and then they’ll send the sample to a laboratory for analysis. This is a sure way to tell whether you’re currently at risk of this kind of cancer.
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Mole Removal
This process depends on the size of your mole.
Do you have a relatively little and harmless mole? If so, the doctor will use shave excision or a punch biopsy.
To begin with, they will numb the impacted part of your skin. A shave excision means cutting away the mole using a small knife. If they opt for a punch biopsy instead, they’ll use a small tool to get rid of it.
In the case of larger and deeper moles, surgery is required. In this case, your doctor will remove a part of your healthy skin along with the mole.
What About Home Remedies?
There are people who prefer to avoid the hassle and cost of getting a mole professionally removed. If this is a case for you, you should note that home remedies are a possibility. However, experts say that these treatment options have never been verified.
People try to use garlic, potatoes, honey, iodine, aloe vera, oregano or castor oil, flaxseed oil, lemon juice, and many other home remedies to get rid of moles. None of these options have been backed up by science. It’s difficult to tell whether they are effective.
You can also try buying over-the-counter mole removal creams. These are always more effective than home remedies, but they have some downsides.
Is there a way mole treatment can be harmful? Here are the dangers you should keep in mind.
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Misused Home Remedies
It’s very important to avoid misusing home remedies and natural remedies. For example, if you want to try hydrogen peroxide, follow the instructions carefully. Undiluted essential oils can damage your skin, so do your research before you start using them.
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Allergic Reactions
Even if you haven’t been allergic to the substance in question, you should proceed with care. Always perform an allergy test on your skin before you start treating a mole. Try out the remedy on a small, undamaged area of your skin first and wait for the results. If you notice any kind of irritation, this isn’t the right remedy for you.
You also need to keep track of your reactions while you’re using any kind of treatment, including medicine. If you experience an unusual reaction, stop immediately.
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Low-Quality Mole Removal Products
Over-the-counter mole removal creams may be efficient, but they tend to damage the skin. If you apply them on the mole, you may end up with a permanent hole on your skin.
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Unrecognized Skin Cancer
This is definitely the biggest risk that comes from taking care of your moles at home. Without professional supervision, you may not realize that you are at risk. Remember that recognizing cancer at the earliest stages is the best way to beat it.
A Final Thought
While over-the-counter creams are an option, it’s always safer to get your moles removed by a dermatologist. In particular, people with diabetes should always seek out professional help when it comes to getting rid of moles. Home removals are unacceptably risky for anyone with slow-healing tissues.
What if you’re unwilling to hire a doctor for removal? If you’re completely sure the mole is benign, you can simply choose to cover it up. Many people hide moles with makeup. If there is hair there that bothers you, it’s fine to have it plucked.
References:
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/bumps-and-growths/moles
https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-and-beauty/skin-conditions/tips/mole-or-skin-cancer.aspx
https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-cancer/cancer-moles-and-mole-removal.aspx
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321216.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauty_mark
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/moles/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375204
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