Most people have a couple of moles on their bodies. Most of these moles don’t really get in the way. However, some moles are very large and catch on clothing or other items, and other moles – facial moles in particular – can be very unsightly.
In fact, facial moles attract a person’s attention away from what you are saying, and many people have them removed. Remember Madonna’s facial mole, the one that’s gone now? So, what are your options on removing facial moles or moles on your body?
Get the Mole Checked Out
One of the most important things you have to do is make sure your mole isn’t actually melanoma. Only a dermatologist or other medically trained professional can check whether or not the mole is suspicious. If it is suspicious, it would be removed. If that is the case, you will at least have your facial mole removed and it is likely that, should it be cancerous melanoma, it was hopefully caught in time. However, if it is not suspicious, a medical professional will not remove it. Naturally, you can still have them removed, but it would then be a cosmetic procedure that you would need to fund yourself.
Surgical Removal Of Your Mole – What Are The Options ?
Surgical removal is the safest and preferred method of removing moles. It takes quite a lot of skill and judgment. This is because the surgeon will have to remove the entire mole (otherwise it will come back), yet still make sure it isn’t simply replaced with an unsightly scar.
Moles do go some way beneath the surface of the skin, so it is possible for a scar to appear. This is something that you need to consider especially if you have a mole on face.
The Potential Risks Of Mole Removal
There are several potential risks to having your mole removed, and medical author Joel Schlessinger, MD from emedicinehealth.com confirms the most common risks are :
“Risks of mole removal methods vary from infection to anesthetic allergy and nerve damage. It is always prudent to choose a dermatologist or surgeon with appropriate skills and experience with these removals. This will decrease your risk associated with this procedure.
- Other risks vary depending on the area being treated and the method of removal.
- One of the most common difficulties after mole removal is a scar. Many people will attempt to remove moles for cosmetic reasons, not realizing that each and every removal may result in a scar. Many times your surgeon can give you an idea of the type and location of a scar after mole removal before you make your decision about removal.”
So as Joel Schlessinger suggests, there is a genuine possibility of being left with a scar after you remove your mole. This is something that you will need to consider before making a judgement on whether to remove your mole or not. This is especially important to consider if your mole is on your face, or other area of your body where a scar maybe seen. You may of course decide that the possibility of being left with a scar is better than continuing with an unsightly mole that you do not like.
There are five techniques for removing moles, being shaving, cutting, freezing, burning and laser surgery, and each of these techniques have their own benefits and drawbacks. There are also six surgical options.
- The first is cutting or excision, which is the only safe option if the mole is suspicious.
- The second is a plug biopsy, which results in minimal scarring but is not suitable for suspicious moles as more tissue needs to be removed.
- Next, there are laser surgery, shaving and electrocautery (burning), which works great on very flat moles.
- Freezing, another one of the options, is performed with liquid nitrogen. However, this treatment option generally leaves a scab and you must refrain from picking it to avoid scarring.
Your doctor will generally decide which treatment is most appropriate for your moles. The only real disadvantage of surgical procedures is the cost, particularly if it is a cosmetic procedure and you have to come back numerous times.
Removing a Mole at Home
The other option is to go for home remedies to remove a mole. You can purchase creams from your drugstore or even online these days. dermatend.com produce what is considered to be one of the most popular and safest mole removal creams on the market today.
If you prefer non chemical options, there are also a number of plants that you should be able to find all around you that are said to remove moles. The cost of these treatments varies, with some being free (if you have the right plants near you) and others being quite expensive (the creams).
However, it will always be cheaper than surgery. The problem is that many of these treatments are not really suitable for facial moles. Sometimes, the treatment takes quite a long time and other times it would make you housebound for a period of time.
For instance, one of the wackiest mole removal techniques that I have read, says that covering the mole with a banana skin for a number of hours is very effective, but you probably don’t want to be seen with a banana skin on your face.
Furthermore, many of these treatments are unproven. Hence, most people would opt for commercial products instead of home remedies. Luckily, many commercial products are still based on natural ingredients, so you don’t have to worry about exposing yourself to chemicals or to products that have been tested on animals.
When you use some of these products, do make sure you read and follow the instructions. Natural products can still be highly toxic (think of Deadly Nightshade for instance) and you should not expose your skin to them for longer than a predetermined period of time. You must also remember that with these treatments, the mole will often start to scab, which means you have to make sure you don’t pick it.
It is always best to try these types of treatments on hidden moles first. Perhaps you have one on your leg or another area that is normally covered by clothing. This way, you will be able to determine your skin’s reaction to the product, but you will also be able to see whether the treatment causes you to scar.
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