The majority of moles are benign and pose no health risks. The main aesthetic issue with them is that many people find them to be unattractive.
Moles, also referred to as melanocytic nevi in medicine, are flesh-colored, black, or brown spots or patches on the skin that develop as a result of melanocyte accumulation. The cells known as melanocytes are responsible for producing pigment, which is also known as melanin.
By the age of 20 or 30, most moles start to show. They can have hair or not, be raised or level, rough or smooth. Your moles' quantity and appearance can be influenced by a variety of factors, including sun exposure, hormone fluctuations, and heredity.
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 9 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.
Crush a fresh garlic clove and place it on the mole.
Secure it with a bandage and leave it on overnight, or at least for four hours.
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.
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.
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.
Mix a pinch of baking soda and a few drops of castor oil. You can also mix in ground aspirin.
Gently rub the mixture on your mole.
Leave it on for a few hours until it dries naturally.
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.
Mix enough finely ground flax seeds and honey with flaxseed oil to make a paste.
Apply it on the affected area and leave it on for at least one hour.
Follow this remedy three times a day for a few weeks.
5. Pineapple Juice
Fresh pineapple juice can help lighten the pigmentation of moles, thereby making them less noticeable.
Soak a cotton ball in pineapple juice and apply it on your mole.
Leave it on overnight or until the juice dries.
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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Frankincense
Frankincense essential oil, being astringent in nature, helps dry up a mole and remove it layer by layer.
Dilute frankincense essential oil by adding eight teaspoons of olive oil to one teaspoon of this oil.
Dab it on your mole and leave it on for a few hours.
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.
9. Aloe Vera
Unlike other acidic ingredients, aloe vera gel works as a mild natural remedy for removing and lightening skin moles.
Apply fresh aloe vera gel on the mole and secure it with a cotton bandage.
Leave it on for three to four hours to allow the aloe to be absorbed completely.
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.