Everything you need to know about mole removal
Moles are very common skin growths in the human body. Generally, moles are harmless, and you don’t have to worry about them. If the mole is cancerous, you need to go for a mole removal Dubai procedure.
How do you determine whether a mole is cancerous or not?
One of the best ways to determine if a mole is cancerous is to visit a dermatologist for a skincare checkup.
How is it done? (in office)
A dermatologist can typically remove a mole during a routine office visit. Sometimes a follow-up visit is necessary to complete a mole removal.
Two main types of surgical procedures are used for mole removal:
- Freezing. This procedure uses a small amount of liquid nitrogen to remove a noncancerous mole.
- Burning. This procedure uses an electric current to burn off the upper layers of a noncancerous mole. It may take more than one session to complete the mole removal.
- Shaving. This procedure involves using a surgical blade to shave the mole off the skin’s surface.
- Excision. This procedure goes deeper than shaving to excise the entire mole and stitch the skin back together. This type of removal is typically used if the mole is cancerous.
If necessary, your dermatologist can evaluate the mole that’s been removed for skin cancer.
Are there effective ways to remove moles at home?
Several websites offer “do-it-yourself” tips for removing a mole at home. These methods are not proven to work, and some may be dangerous. You should talk with your doctor about your options before trying any home remedies for mole removal.
Some of these unproven methods include:
- burning the mole off with apple cider vinegar
- taping garlic to the mole to break it down from the inside
- applying iodine to the mole to kill the cells inside
- cutting off the mole with scissors or a razor blade
Other home remedies that claim to remove moles include applying:
- a mixture of baking soda and castor oil
- banana peel
- frankincense oil
- tea tree oil
- hydrogen peroxide
- aloe vera
- flaxseed oil
Pharmacies and online stores also sell mole removal creams. To use these creams, you first scrape off the top part of the mole. Then you rub the cream into the mole. The products claim that a scab will form within a day after applying the cream. When the scab falls off, the mole will go with it.
That said, you should never remove a mole at home. Mole removal should be done by a medical professional like a dermatologist, who can send it to a lab to be evaluated for cancer.
Safer alternatives
A safer way to conceal moles if you’re self-conscious is to cover them with makeup. If you have hair growing out of a mole, it’s safe for you to clip the hair or pluck it.
Why home removal is harmful
Home mole removal methods might sound easy and convenient. Removing moles by just cutting them off with any sharp object like scissors or a razor blade carries risks. Cutting off any growth increases the risk of infection, especially if the tool you use is not properly sanitized.
When to Visit a doctor
See a dermatologist if you want to go for a mole removal process. Just schedule a checkup if a mole is a sign of skin cancer. The doctor may perform a biopsy, which involves removing a small piece of the mole to examine under a microscope to determine if the mole is cancerous or not.