3 Options For Mole Removal
Moles on your skin can be a great annoyance. They may be unsightly, or they may be uncomfortable if they're located in a site where they rub against your clothes or your jewelry. It's no surprise many people opt to have them removed. The question is which mole removal method you want to go with. You have several different options for removal either in a doctor's office or in your home by yourself. Take a look at some of the facts about different methods of mole removal, so you can decide which method is right for you.
In a Doctor's Office
Before you have any mole bothering you removed, it's not a bad idea to let a doctor take a look at it. In some cases, moles can be a warning sign of skin cancer. The guidelines for determining whether or not a mole deserves a closer look are the ABCDEs. A is for asymmetrical, B is for uneven borders, C is for moles that contain different colors, D is for a diameter larger than a pencil eraser, and E for an evolving or changing mole, or changing. Moles meeting any of these guidelines should be screened for cancer.
If your doctor determines your mole is not dangerous, they can remove it for you right there in the office. A doctor can shave your mole off with a scalpel after applying a local anesthesia so you don't feel any pain. Or, if you would rather not go under the knife, your doctor may suggest laser treatments or cryosurgery. Laser treatment burns the mole away, and it can take several sessions to completely destroy it. Cryosurgery involves applying liquid nitrogen to the mole and freezing it off – this is one of the fastest methods of mole removal.
At Home With A Kit
If having a doctor remove your mole is not an option, then an over-the-counter mole removal kit might be right for you. A kit is often a good idea for someone who's afraid of needles, scalpels, and any kind of surgery. They're also less expensive than surgery. So, if you know your mole is not cancerous, proceeding with a kit might be the next best thing.
Usually, the kits come with a tube of cream and a set of instructions. You may be instructed to lightly scratch the surface of the mole before applying the cream. This allows the medicated cream to enter the mole through the scratch. The result is the chemicals in the cream cause a scab to form underneath the mole. Eventually, the scab will dry up and fall off, taking your mole with it.
At Home With Home Remedies
There are a number of different natural home remedies you can try. Many involve ingredients you probably already have in your house. One commonly recommended method is the apple cider vinegar method. For this, you need cotton balls, petroleum jelly, bandages, and of course, vinegar. Apply petroleum jelly to the skin around the mole – this will help protect it from the acid in the vinegar. Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar, apply it to the mole, and hold the cotton in place with a bandage. Do this three times a day until the mole starts to flake, dry up, and eventually falls off.
Another method involves crushing fresh garlic into a paste and applying it to the mole, the same way you would apply the vinegar. Banana peels, tea tree oil, and mixtures of pineapple juice and sea salt have all been touted to have similar mole-removing effects.
Keep in mind there's no rule saying you have to remove a mole if you don't want to, though you should have any suspicious mole checked for cancer. If you do want your mole removed, you have several professional and DIY mole removal methods available.