Moles are collections of dark pigment on your skin that almost everyone has. They’re almost always harmless, but sometimes are unsightly or rub against your clothes. This is why many people choose to remove them. However, removing a mole yourself is very dangerous and dermatologists say that you shouldn’t do this under any circumstances. For one thing, cutting off a mole yourself could cause an infection or scarring. Dermatologists also test moles to confirm that they aren’t cancerous, which won’t happen if you remove the mole yourself. [1] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source In place of removal, there are some things you can do to reduce the mole’s appearance. If you do want the mole removed altogether, then visit your dermatologist for a professional treatment.
Steps
Home Remedies to Reduce the Mole’s Appearance
The home remedies to remove moles yourself aren't effective and dermatologists say you shouldn't try them. Some are even dangerous and can cause scarring or an infection. You still have options, however. A few home remedies can make moles less obvious and noticeable. If you’re self-conscious about your moles, then some of these steps can help hide them and build your confidence.
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Cover the mole with makeup if you’re self-conscious about it. This is a quick fix to make moles less noticeable. Get a concealer that matches your skin tone. Then apply primer first so the concealer stays in place all day. Brush the concealer around the mole in a circular motion until it’s fully covered. [2] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Wash the makeup off at the end of the day to avoid acne breakouts or clogged pores.
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Pluck or clip hair growing out of the mole. Some moles have hairs growing from them, which could make them more noticeable. Use tweezers to pluck the hairs out, or snip them off with scissors. [3] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Be very careful if you use clippers or scissors to cut the hair. If you get too close, you could cut the mole and cause an infection.
- Your dermatologist may also be able to use a procedure to permanently remove hair from the mole, so speak with them if you’re interested in trying this.
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Apply 15 SPF sunblock to prevent moles from getting darker. Sunlight could make moles darker and more obvious. Prevent this by applying at least 15 SPF sunblock whenever you go out into the sun. [4] X Research source
- Wearing sunblock in general is important for preventing skin cancer.
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Clean the mole to avoid infections if you get a cut or abrasion. Like any other areas of your body, moles can get infected or inflamed, especially if you get a cut there. Wash the mole gently with soap and water to remove bacteria and dirt if you get cut. This prevents infections from making them darker or larger. [5] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Be gentle whenever you clean your moles. Too much pressure or friction could cause inflammation.
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Removing Moles the Safe Way
The only truly safe way to remove moles is by visiting a dermatologist for a professional treatment. Mole removal is actually a very simple procedure that should only take a few minutes. Once the dermatologist examines the mole, they’ll use 1 of 2 minor procedures to take it off. You’ll then be able to go home. Make sure you follow any of the doctor’s instructions on caring for the wound while it heals.
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Visit your dermatologist to discuss any moles you want removed. A dermatologist can easily remove moles, so make an appointment to discuss your options. Since mole removal is a simple procedure, the dermatologist will probably do it during your appointment after doing a quick visual exam of the mole. [6] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Let the doctor shave shallow moles off with a razor. If the mole doesn’t look like it reaches below the skin surface, then the dermatologist will probably simply shave it off. They’ll numb the area with a local anesthetic and then cut the mole off with a razor blade. Then they'll cover the area with a sticky bandage. The procedure only takes a few minutes and you’ll be able to leave right after. [7] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
- For a surgical shaving, the dermatologist probably won’t give you stitches.
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Have a surgical excision on deeper moles. If the mole stretches below the skin surface, then the dermatologist will probably do a surgical excision to remove the entire thing. This is a bit more involved, but still simple and quick. The dermatologist will numb the area and cut the mole out with a scalpel. After they close up the wound and cover it with a bandage, then you can go home. [8] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
- The dermatologist will probably use 2 or 3 stitches to close the wound and prevent a scar.
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Keep the bandage on for as long as the doctor tells you to. Whether or not you have stitches, the dermatologist will probably tell you to keep the bandage on for 2-3 days after the procedure. During that time, keep the area dry and clean. Then remove the bandage when enough time passes. [9] X Research source
- If the bandage starts to come off by itself, don’t pull it if it doesn't come off easily. If it’s stuck you could open the wound again.
- Sometimes wetting the bandage with warm water helps it come off easier. Ask the dermatologist if this is a safe way to remove your bandage.
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Clean the wound every day with soap and water. After you remove the bandage, keep the wound clean to prevent an infection. Wet the area, rub it gently with soap, and then rinse and dab it dry it with a clean towel or paper towel. Clean the area at least once a day or according to the dermatologist’s instructions. [10] X Research source
- If you have stitches, try not to clean directly over them. Rub soap as close to the stitches as you can without touching them.
- The dermatologist may also tell you to apply an antibacterial cream to the area. Follow their post-op care instructions to avoid an infection.
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Moisturize the wound with antibacterial ointment or petroleum jelly. Your dermatologist may suggest keeping the wound moisturized with one of these products. This will prevent scabs and crust from forming around the wound. Apply the ointment or jelly after your clean the wound. [11] X Research source
- You normally don't have to cover the wound with another bandage when the original one comes off, but you might want to put a bandage over the wound to keep the ointment on. Make sure none of the sticky parts touch the wound, or it might open when you pull the bandage off.
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Take pain medication if the wound hurts. You’ll probably feel some pain around the area for a few days, so use OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to alleviate the discomfort while you heal. [12] X Research source
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Continue your daily care regimen until the wound fully heals. In most cases, the wound will take 1-3 weeks to heal completely. This depends on what type of procedure the dermatologist did. Continue washing and moisturizing the wound daily. When it looks fully healed, then you can stop the daily care regimen. [13] X Research source
- Check the wound for signs of an infection while you're cleaning it each day. Any redness, swelling, heat, pain, or pus around the area could indicate that an infection is starting.
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Medical Takeaways
While there are some reported home remedies for removing moles, none of them are effective and some are unsafe. You could cause an infection or scarring if you try to remove moles on your own. The only safe way to get rid of moles entirely is by visiting the dermatologist for a professional treatment. You could also take some simple steps to cover up your moles or make them less noticeable if you don’t want them removed entirely.
Expert Q&A
Warnings
- Some people try to cut moles off themselves with clippers or a razor. This is very dangerous and painful, so don’t try it for yourself. [14] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to sourceThanks
- Other home remedies including holding garlic, apple cider vinegar, bananas, peroxide, or iodine against the mole. None of these are effective and they could cause pain or an infection. [15] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to sourceThanks
References
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/moles-treatment
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/moles/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375204
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/moles/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375204
- ↑ https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/topics/live-well/2017/05/moles-what-to-look-for-and-when-to-worry/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/moles/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375204
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/moles/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375204
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/moles-treatment
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/moles-treatment
- ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/selfcare-instructions/skin-lesion-removal-aftercare
- ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/selfcare-instructions/skin-lesion-removal-aftercare
- ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/selfcare-instructions/skin-lesion-removal-aftercare
- ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/selfcare-instructions/skin-lesion-removal-aftercare
- ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/selfcare-instructions/skin-lesion-removal-aftercare
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/moles-treatment
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4479370/
About this article
To remove a mole at home, put a small amount of apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and bandage the ball over your mole. Replace the cotton ball twice a day for 7 days, by which time the mole should be gone. Alternatively, you can make a paste out of crushed garlic cloves and salt. Then, apply the paste to the mole 3 times a day for 5 days and keep the area covered with a bandage. You could also try making a paste out of baking soda and water, and applying it to the mole twice a day for 4 days. To learn how to use medical creams to remove a mole, keep reading!
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