Home Remedies to Remove Moles

A mole is a common name for a brown or red-brown growth on the skin. Moles, also called nevi, are the result of the pigment cells of the skin, called melanocytes, clustering together. Other skin growths, such as seborrehic keratoses, are often mistakenly called moles, but rather are thick outgrowths of keratinocytes (the nonpigmented cells of the skin), and are not moles at all.

Although some moles can be removed quickly and easily, it is not always necessary or even a good idea to do so. More importantly, it is never a good idea to try to remove a mole yourself.

Shaving Off a Mole

Some moles develop from birth, while others develop in childhood and early adulthood. Some moles are flat with the surface, and some are raised bumps. The raised up brown moles are often the easiest to remove. A physician can clean your skin, anesthetize the area with a local numbing medication such as lidocaine, and using a scalpel or a razor sharp blade, shave the mole flat with the skin. This removes the mole and often leaves a minimal scar. This method is not as effective for moles that have been present since birth or for large, flat mole. In large, flat moles, the pigment cells are often deeper in the skin, which can lead to a more noticeable scar or to the regrowth of the mole after a few years. Scars from removing moles on the chest or back can sometimes develop into raised circular scars that are less attractive than the mole you had in the first place.

Removing a Mole by Surgery

When moles are larger or present since birth, often the best way to remove them is to cut it out completely. This differs from the shaving method because the skin is cut all the way through and sutures (stitches) are used to close the resulting wound. Just as in the shaving method, a physician can clean the skin with an antiseptic, numb the area with a local anesthetic, then cut the mole out using a scalpel. Because a wound is created, sutures are usually used to stitch the edges together. In this method, the mole is unlikely to ever regrow. The resulting scar is usually a straight line. This is sometimes preferable to a round or divot scar that can result from shaving off a mole.

A Mole Might Actually Be a Melanoma

Removing moles by shaving them off or by surgery also affords the opportunity to send the mole to pathology for examination. Most moles are not skin cancer, but sometimes a skin cancer can be mistaken for a mole. Other times, moles can have atypical cells or atypical patterns of cells that might indicate they are early skin cancers. The primary skin cancer that we are concerned about is melanoma. Melanoma is a dangerous skin cancer that has the potential to be deadly. Because melanoma can sometimes appear as a brown growth on the skin and can be difficult to distinguish from a normal mole, it is important that any mole that is removed be examined by a pathologist. If a removed mole turns out to be melanoma, then additional surgery is often needed to treat this dangerous skin cancer.

Home Remedies to Remove Moles

According to MayoClinic.com, moles, known in the medical community as nevi, are clusters of pigmented cells that appear as small, dark brown spots on the surface of the skin. While moles are harmless, some can be cancerous, so have a doctor look at any new mole as soon as possible. While medical treatments for moles are commonly invasive and expensive, there are some natural home remedies that can help get rid of moles, though these remedies have not been approved by the FDA.

Flaxseed Oil, Garlic and Raw Honey

A mixture of flaxseed oil, fresh garlic and raw honey can be applied directly to the face to help remove moles. To use this mixture for home mole removal, combine one tbsp. flaxseed oil with 1 tbsp. finely chopped garlic and one teaspoon raw honey in a small container and blend together with a tablespoon. Gently massage a small amount of the mixture onto the affected area, and leave it on for about 20 minutes or until mostly dry. Rinse the skin with cool water, and wash it with a gentle cleanser to remove remaining sugars. This treatment can be applied daily as long as it does not irritate your skin, and unused portions of the mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

Fresh Pineapple, Fig and Jojoba Oil

A mixture of fresh pineapple, fig and jojoba oil can be used directly on a mole to help get rid of it. To make and use the mixture, combine two tbsp. fresh chopped pineapple, two tbsp. fresh chopped fig and one tbsp. jojoba oil in a small container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake the mixture to combine, and gently apply a small amount of the mixture to the affected area. Leave it on for 25 to 30 minutes or until completely dry. Rinse the skin with cool, clean water, then wash with a gentle soap. This treatment can be applied twice daily if it does not irritate your skin, and unused portions can be stored in the refrigerator for 48 hours.

Grapefruit Juice and Vitamin C Tablets

A mixture of grapefruit juice and vitamin C tablets can be applied to the skin to treat and remove moles on the face. To make and use this mixture, combine one and a half tbsp. freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice with one vitamin C tablet in a mortar and pestle, and crush the tablet until it becomes a fine powder and makes a moderately thin paste. Apply the paste to the affected area, and leave it on for 12 to 15 minutes before rinsing the skin with cool water. Wash with a mild soap, and apply your regular moisturizer if you use one. This treatment can be repeated two times per day as long as it does not cause redness or extreme dryness. Unused portions can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

Herbs for Skin Moles

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, moles are common and usually harmless. While new moles and moles that exhibit changes in size, shape or color should be evaluated by a dermatologist, herbal home remedies can improve the appearance of non-cancerous moles.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera, a succulent plant, contains a clear gel that has a long history as a soothing remedy for skin conditions. The leaves provide potent anti-inflammatory agents that yield valuable results when treating skin irritations.

To use, cut a leaf off the plant, slice it open and scoop out the gel. Apply the gel on the affected areas, and cover with an adhesive bandage. Repeat the procedure every three hours for two to three weeks for best results. Little, if any, adverse effects result from topical use of aloe.

Dandelion

Best known as a weed that mars the appearance of well-manicured lawns, dandelion is a favorite folk remedy for boils, abscesses, age spots and moles. Although no scientific research or clinical analysis exists on the efficacy of dandelions in removing moles, according to Ayushveda.com, dandelions prove highly effective in the removal of warty moles. The website recommends rubbing dandelion root juice directly on your mole two to three times a day. Do not use dandelion if you have allergies to related plants, such as chamomile or yarrow.

Garlic

One of the most popular herbal remedies for all manner of ailments, garlic has gained accolades in recent years by the conventional medicine establishment as a valuable medicinal healer. Garlic contains powerful antibiotic, antiseptic and antifungal qualities particularly useful in treating moles and warts.

Although more research is needed to confirm garlic's effectiveness as a remedy for moles, some resources suggest rubbing a sliced piece of garlic on your mole until the garlic juice gets absorbed by your skin. Alternatively, you can crush a garlic clove into a paste and apply it directly on your affected areas. Performed daily, both procedures offer predicted results in three to four weeks. Do not take garlic orally for medicinal purposes without consulting a physician.

Other Home Remedies for Mole Control

Moles can be found on skin anywhere on the body. They can be present at birth or develop later in life. The causes include skin damage due to sunlight, genetics and pigmentation of cells. There are various home remedies that can help prevent moles.

Vaseline

Constant application of Vaseline to the affected body area over long periods of time can help reduce the moles and prevent future recurrences.

Coriander

Grinding the herb coriander into a fine powder and applying it to the mole can help get rid of moles. You can make a paste of the herb with castor oil for even greater effectiveness. Castor oil ensures that your skin does not dry out and itch as much when the coriander is applied by itself as a powder.

Vitamin C

If you crush Vitamin C tablets apply the resulting powder directly on the mole, then keep the powder in place with a bandage, can help reduce the mole.

Apple Cider Vinegar

One great remedy for moles is applying apple cider vinegar a couple of times daily. This often helps to get rid of the mole. Adding half a glass of vinegar to your bath water will ensure you do not easily get moles.

Tincture of Iodine

You can buy tincture of iodine at any drug store and then apply it with a swab of cotton regularly for a couple of days. This treatment will help get rid of the moles.

Cauliflower Juice

Grind up some cauliflower juice and apply it to the mole daily. The skin will become soft and the mole will become smaller and often will disappear.

Garlic and Honey

Make a paste of two garlic cloves and mix a teaspoon of honey into that paste. Apply to the mole and it can sometimes disappear in a matter of days. The honey helps alleviate the sting caused by the garlic and decreases the burning sensation it can cause. Garlic paste alone can get rid of the mole as well.