In a world of rising healthcare costs, it’s natural to wonder whether any unsightly moles can be treated at home instead of seeing a specialist. There are plenty of DIY-mole-removal “hacks” on the Internet, but just because someone says they work, doesn’t mean they actually do. In this case, it’s more of a “don’t-DIY!” As President Abraham Lincoln once said, you can’t believe everything you read on the Internet!* Let’s take a look at one “solution” that some people use and talk about online.
*President Lincoln said no such thing. You still can’t believe everything you read on the Internet!
Apple cider vinegar
One treatment that is discussed on the Internet is the application of apple cider vinegar to the mole or skin lesion. In theory, the acidity of the apple cider vinegar will eliminate the moles, so some people think it can be applied at home with no problems. However, this is certainly not the case. Apple cider vinegar can affect more than just the skin lesions; it can actually affect the healthy skin that you don’t want to treat. It can even cause chemical burns, which were actually suffered by a teenage girl who tried putting apple cider vinegar on her moles. This example demonstrates the dangers of this form of “treatment.” It’s not safe, especially because it’s not being overseen by a medical professional.
Why it’s dangerous
Apple cider vinegar and other at-home, “DIY” remedies are bad ideas, even if they do happen to get rid of moles sometimes. First, the biggest problem with moles isn’t that they’re there or that they look bad. The biggest problem with moles is that they could be cancerous! Patients who “treat” their moles or other skin lesions at home won’t know if they’re getting rid of a mole that’s just a benign growth, or if they’re covering up a real, deep-seated issue that could cause real problems in their lives.
More At-Home Remedies to Avoid
Garlic or Garlic paste: This bulb stem is known for its pungent properties that can often remove thin skin and is sometimes used in attempts to remove moles.
Tea Tree oil: Tea tree oil is often promoted online as a natural remedy to dry out or shrink the mole or skin tag. However, it can cause skin irritation or chemical burns, especially when repeatedly applied or undiluted.
Baking soda or Castor oil: Baking soda and castor oil are sometimes mixed into a paste and applied to moles or skin tags in hopes of the tissue falling off. This method can cause severe pain, bleeding, infection, and scarring.
Iodine: Iodine is used on the belief that it can “break down” mole cells. This is not true, and in reality Iodine can cause staining, irritation, and in some cases chemical burns.
Tying a Floss around your mole or skin tag: This method attempts to cut off the blood supply so the mole or skin tag tissue falls off. This method is especially dangerous when used on a mole, as it can cause severe bleeding and irritation, as well as a high chance of the mole or skin tag growing back.
What to do instead
It’s much better to see a real doctor or surgeon like the ones at our Sacramento clinic, get a mole professionally evaluated, and receive peace of mind knowing that your mole is benign and not a threat that it is to use unproven remedies that aren’t supported by any scientific evidence. When you see a professional, the professional’s evaluation can help you determine whether a mole is cancerous, and people who use at-home “remedies” without seeing a professional don’t get that benefit.
None of this is to say that you can’t learn anything at all about your moles at home. Some sources discuss the “ABCDE” method, which stands for “asymmetry, borders, color, diameter, evolution.” This means that if the moles are oddly shaped with irregular edges (asymmetry and border), oddly colored, with a wide diameter, and changing or evolving, they are more likely to be unsafe or malignant. Even if your moles all look normal according to this test, it still might be a good idea to get them evaluated by a professional.
If you were contemplating an at-home treatment but now know the risks and want to choose a better path, have no fear! We at Mole Removal Sacramento want to take better care of you than the Internet does. We and our team of doctors with over 30 years of experience are excited to meet and serve you. Please give us a call at (916) 545-7677 and we’ll be happy to help you!
