Email & Password

Not a member? .

04

Feb

2013

What You Need to Know About DIY Mole Removal

Dr Ross Perry is the and Medical Director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics providing a range of aesthetic and medical skin treatments for private patients.

As a doctor who specializes in l for aesthetic I see many who have been tempted by home and removal solutions.

The temptation is quite obvious as the so-called ‘treatments’ are not only portrayed as quick, simple, and easy but are also free or cheap. 

Some of mine are often embarrassed to mention they have tried home treatments and other DIY cures with from to those that are dangerous and in some cases left with severe .

I can understand why patients are keen to get rid of their ; whether it is for cosmetic (not liking the look of them), reasons (e.g. where they catch on clothes), or simply peace of mind where the is any concern.

The great benefit of the internet is the vast amount of available, enabling people to research any topic under the sun.

Unfortunately, that information is not always correct…

A quick Google search on DIY mole removal reveals some suggestions.

1. “Tying” a Mole Off

The method is to restrict the blood flow to a by tying it very tightly around the base with thread or dental floss. The idea is that the mole will fill with blood, dry up and then fall off.

This should be approached with .

While it actually can work for skin tags, there are still risks around the of . Where cotton thread is used, this can become wedged into the skin the job leaving a much bigger scar after removal.

Moreover, when it comes to moles or surgical removal is the best option for complete and this should always include mole testing.

moles at home, no matter how harmless they may appear, misses this vital precautionary step which can highlight any or malignant cells. This point applies throughout all DIY mole methods and myths and is the number one reason why home mole removal should be left alone.

2. Creams, and Solutions

The internet also has a of ready-made mole removal which claim to lead to mole removal.

Again, approach these with extreme . These are on a basis (or sometimes the same) as wart and verruca removal. The mole removal cures often suggest filing or the top of the mole to ensure the acid is able to . However, true moles are very different in nature.

is quite and this can be and some have been left with . In addition, the process can be quite harmful to the mole itself.

Again, this approach completely misses the vital mole – could be the first signs of skin cancer.

3. Mole Products

acid or alkali based bleaching agents, mole lightening products are creams and potions that seek to remove the from moles so that they are still there but much less obvious visually.

However, those bleaching agents over the internet may not meet safety standards. If they are too strong they could burn the skin and cause damage.

Once again, the point that home does not mole testing.

4. “Natural” Home Mole Removal

The here is again application but based on common household foods.

Some of these “cures” are designed to fade the colour of the mole; others claim to remove it .

These home remedies mimic the acid or alkali-based available over the by causing a burn to the skin in order to remove the and or mole itself.

Suggestions include the mole times a day with lemon juice, apple juice, apple cider vinegar, juice, pineapple juice, castor oil or honey.

Other ideas are a slice of onion or garlic over the mole underneath a . The most bizarre urine-soaked cotton wool to the mole beneath a plaster, having first the mole so that it can .

This area seems increasingly . At best, the patient risks time and facing the and ridicule of their friends and family. However, they also risk irritation, and .

At worst, as with all home cures, the risk of NOT having proper mole is the greatest of all. Some of the do mention that suspicious moles should be examined by a professional, though this is often in small print.

 

Case 1 – Used cream to bleach his mole that he felt was normal as it had not changed. This resulted in a severe skin reaction and has now left him with a thick horrible red raised scar (keloid) that is twice the size of the mole on his chest.  He regrets he ever saw this on the as there is very little we can do to help his scar.

Patient Case 2 – Thirty year old man who had a melanoma skin cancer diagnosed on a mole he tried to bleach which may or may not have contributed to a delay in his diagnosis and .  He now wishes he never used the for advice on something he now admits should only be left in the hands of doctors as the can be  potentially life threatening.

Mole removal surgery and laser mole are effective safe procedures to do with modern and equipment. All procedures will leave a small scar but this is in most cases far more cosmetically acceptable than the original mole.

Even for harmless moles being removed for reasons, I would caution patients not to risk DIY home removal solutions however tempting they may appear to be.

Good practitioners will always send even the most apparently innocent-looking mole away for testing to rule out any possibility of cancerous cells as skin cancer caught early has the best for the patient.

The doctors’ and training are the most important factors to look for when choosing the right person to remove your mole rather than glossy machines or cheap as the wrong choice can lead to permanent disfigurement that is rarely easy to even with modern lasers and medicines.

Please see your family doctor / GP or a skin regarding any or new moles that are changing in size shape and or colour (getting darker in particular) or even if you have concerns from a cosmetic point of view just so as to get the correct advice to avoid or a skin cancer.

If you want to read more, the experts at Consulting Room really know what they’re talking about and have put together some , , , ,  and mole removal FAQs just for you. 

If you have more questions, you can use the , , , ,  and question feature to talk to our panel of medical . 

If you’re keen to get started with mole treatment right away then you’re in luck – those clever folks also have a list of trusted, , , , ,  and in your area.

Many thanks to the author of this blog Dr Ross Perry who Skin Clinics in 2003 in the City of London.

As most of his patients already know, he is very much a in all aspects of his work.

Ross’s private work of minor such as mole, wart, and skin tag using modern and techniques for minimal scarring.

Read it? Loved it? Want to share it?

Hey, wait!

Before you go…..

Let’s stay in touch, pop your here and we’ll send our hand-picked updates on your fave .

Industry

Consultingroom.com™ Ltd

All information within this site is researched and maintained for accuracy of content. Please note that for prospective of treatments, information and provided does not substitute an consultation with an practitioner.