Home Remedies for Moles

Most moles are harmless, posing no health concerns. They are problematic primarily from an aesthetic point of view as many people find them unattractive.

Medically known as melanocytic nevi, moles are black, brown, or flesh-colored spots or patches on the skin that form due to the collection of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce pigment, the coloring substance also called melanin.

Most moles appear by the age of 20 or 30. They can be flat or raised, rough or smooth, with or without hair. Factors like genetics, hormonal fluctuations and sun exposure may affect the number and appearance of your moles.

Some moles will fade and disappear as a person ages, but not all and often not when people are most concerned with how they look. Some simple home remedies can help you get rid of unsightly moles.

Before trying the home remedies though, it is important to inspect your mole for abnormal characteristics such as asymmetry of the border, color, or diameter.

If you notice any of these issues or the mole is changing in shape or color without any treatment, get it checked by a dermatologist to rule out the possibility of it being cancerous. Do not attempt to treat cancerous moles on your own.

Here are the top 10 home remedies for moles.

1. Garlic

Garlic is one of the most effective home remedies for moles because it contains enzymes that help break down the clusters of pigment-producing cells. Plus, it helps lighten the dark pigmentation.

1. Crush a fresh garlic glove and place it on the mole.
2. Secure it with a bandage and leave it on overnight, or at least for four hours.
3. Do this daily for a few days. The mole will then fall off naturally. This method is said to give positive results with merely five days of daily application.

Make sure to disinfect the area with rubbing alcohol or another disinfectant before repeating the process daily. Plus, to protect the skin surrounding the mole, apply some petroleum jelly or oil.

Warning: Applying garlic on skin can cause redness and irritation.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a very popular home remedy for mole removal. Due to its acid content, it helps scab the mole and makes it fall off over time.

• Dip a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and place it on the affected area. Secure it with a bandage or medical tape and leave it on overnight. Do this daily for about 10 days or until the mole falls off.
• Alternatively, you can rub warm water on the mole or lightly scrape the surface with an emery board and then apply cider vinegar on it until it turns white. Leave it on until it dries naturally. Do this several times a day.

Apple cider vinegar is likely to make the mole worse in the initial few days, but it will get better in a week. If it leaves a scar, apply coconut oil.

Note: To protect the skin around mole, apply petroleum jelly on the surrounding area before applying apple cider vinegar.

3. Castor Oil

Castor oil helps remove warts, moles, and skin tags. Being a discutient, it helps dissolve and eliminate unusual growths. This method is not likely to leave scars. However, it tends to take a lot of time as it gets rid of moles one layer at a time.

1. Mix a pinch of baking soda and a few drops of castor oil. You can also mix in ground aspirin.
2. Gently rub the mixture on your mole.
3. Leave it on for a few hours until it dries naturally.
4. Do this twice daily for about one month.

If you do not have baking soda, you can use castor oil alone.

4. Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed oil is particularly useful for removing raised moles. It softens the moles and loosens them around the edges so they can easily come off.

1. Mix enough finely ground flax seeds and honey with flaxseed oil to make a paste.
2. Apply it on the affected area and leave it on for at least one hour.
3. Follow this remedy three times a day for a few weeks.

5. Iodine

A tincture of iodine can also be used to remove moles and skin tags. It triggers natural cell death and eliminates the clusters. You can get iodine tincture from a drug store.

1. Clean the affected area and apply a drop of 5% iodine solution on your mole. For flat moles, you can also scratch it slightly with an emery board before applying the iodine.
2. Cover it with a bandage or gauze and leave it on overnight or as long as possible.
3. Repeat the procedure daily for a week or two.

If you do not want to use a bandage, then apply the iodine solution two or three times a day and leave it on until it dries completely.

Note: Iodine will remove moles without scarring, but it is likely to stain the skin. To avoid this deep purple staining, apply a little lotion or petroleum jelly around the mole to protect the surrounding skin.

6. Pineapple Juice

Fresh pineapple juice can help lighten the pigmentation of moles, thereby making them less noticeable.

1. Soak a cotton ball in pineapple juice and apply it on your mole.
2. Leave it on overnight or until the juice dries.
3. Do this several times a day for a few weeks or until your mole fades.

For best results, use fresh pineapple juice made daily as it contains more citric acid. You can also use other acidic juices like that of lemons, grapefruits, and sour apples.

7. Grapefruit Seed Extract

Being rich in vitamin E and flavonoids, grapefruit seed extract works as a good natural home remedy to get rid of moles.

• Apply one drop of grapefruit seed extract on your mole, cover it with a bandage or gauze and leave it on for a few hours. Do this two or three times a day for about one month.
• Alternatively, you can combine one part grapefruit seed extract and 10 parts avocado oil. Apply it on the affected area and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Do this daily until you are satisfied with the results.

8. Onion Juice

Onion juice can help get rid of moles and maintain an even skin tone because of its acidic properties.

• Extract fresh onion juice and apply it on the affected area using a cotton swab. Leave it on for 30 minutes or more and then wash it off. Do this two or three times daily for at least three weeks.
• Alternatively, apply a mixture of equal parts of onion juice and apple cider vinegar. Leave it on overnight or at least for half an hour. Do this daily for a month or until your mole fades away.

9. Frankincense

Frankincense essential oil, being astringent in nature, helps dry up a mole and remove it layer by layer.

1. Dilute frankincense essential oil by adding eight teaspoons of olive oil to one teaspoon of this oil.
2. Dab it on your mole and leave it on for a few hours.
3. Do this two or three times a day for a few weeks.

To prevent scarring, continue the treatment for several days even after the mole disappears.

Note: Do not use this remedy if it causes skin irritation.

10. Aloe Vera

Unlike other acidic ingredients, aloe vera gel works as a mild natural remedy for removing and lightening skin moles.

1. Apply fresh aloe vera gel on the mole and secure it with a cotton bandage.
2. Leave it on for three to four hours to allow the aloe to be absorbed completely.
3. Do this two or three times a day for a month, or until you are satisfied with the results.

Before trying out these remedies, especially the ones with strong ingredients like garlic and apple cider vinegar, make sure your skin is not sensitive to them. Plus, if the remedy worsens the skin condition then discontinue its use.

Resources:

www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/moles