Mole Remover Options And Risks

Moles, better known to the medical community as melanocytic nevi, are benign skin growths. Moles are mostly important because they can be confused with certain types of skin cancer. They are benign growths that can be present at birth or appear later. They can also be unsightly or uncomfortable. This means that there is a pretty good market for different types of mole remover.

Skin tags are not what many people consider moles, but they are listed as such by the American Academy of Dermatology. These are some of the easiest to remove and many at-home options are practical in dealing with them. One of the more popular methods is to simply tie a piece of dental floss around the skin tag and let it fall off.

Moles are flat or perhaps slightly raised areas of  skin that are darkly pigmented. These moles are more difficult to remove because of their particular characteristics. Most of them are removed by dermatologists or other medical professionals because their removal requires minor surgery. The use of lasers for this surgery is commonplace, now.

The risks of surgical or laser removal include all of the normal potential surgical complications, such as infection or anesthetic reaction. They also include the possibility of large, unsightly or uncomfortable scars. Moles should only be removed after a thorough evaluation from a dermatologist because removal of a cancerous lesion can make it very difficult to diagnose before it spreads.

The home remedies that exist for the removal of a mole do not work in most of the cases. People often seek out these home remedies because of cost, since having moles removed is often considered cosmetic by insurance companies. Raised moles can sometimes be removed like a skin tag, but flat ones are harder to deal with yourself. If you are considering removing a mole because it has changed color or shape, check with a dermatologist, as this can be a sign of cancer.

Possibly effective methods of removing moles include the use of apple cider vinegar and/or garlic. Applied to the surface of the blemish, some people see shrinkage or even complete disappearance. Some say that it is not required, but others insist that pricking or scratching the skin before applying the substance is necessary. Sterilization is very important if you are going to do this.

Entirely removing moles is difficult, because they often penetrate through most of the skin layers. This is a problem faced by both medical and home removal methods. Sometimes these moles re-grow harmlessly, but they can re-grow bigger and more uncomfortable, or even as a more dangerous type of lesion.

While generally harmless, some moles can turn into cancer, or cancer can be mistaken for moles. Checking them regularly for signs of changes in shape, size or pigment can help you keep an eye out for this. Just make sure to get a doctor's opinion before removing any moles that have changed shape or color and consider the risks before going ahead with any procedure.