How to Get Rid of Moles on Face

On the body, moles are rather prevalent. Some people may find them less appealing, while others may view them as good luck charms or even beauty marks. Fortunately, moles on your face and other body parts can be removed using a variety of surgical procedures. In most cases, moles can be removed with little difficulty or scars using techniques including radiofrequency, laser therapy, punch excision, or shaving. But it's important to have a dermatologist examine your mole before beginning any treatment.

 

What Exactly is a Mole?

Moles are groups of melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, which gives skin its color. They show up as small or large, roundish spots on your skin, typically in shades of red, brown, pink, or black.

Moles, scientifically called nevi, can pop up anywhere on your body. They often appear during childhood but can also show up later in life.

 

Why Do Moles Show Up on the Face?

Moles can be caused by overexposure to the sun or can be a natural part of aging. However, having lots of moles might indicate a condition called dysplastic nevi, linked to genetics and sometimes associated with skin cancer. So, if you notice a new mole suddenly appearing, it’s important to get it checked by a doctor.

Moles might darken due to sun exposure or hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, or as you age.

There are four main types of moles:

1. Common moles

2. Atypical moles (which could be melanoma)

3. Congenital moles

4. Acquired moles

Some moles have the potential to turn cancerous, especially if you have more than fifty moles on your body. In that case, it’s wise to see a healthcare professional for a check-up.

 

Signs of Moles

Recognizing a mole is pretty straightforward; they come in different sizes, shapes, colors, and textures. Here are some symptoms to look out for:

– Color and Texture: Moles typically appear brown, but they can also be tan, black, pink, red, or blue. They may have a wrinkled, raised, or flat texture, and sometimes hair grows from them.

– Shape: Most moles are oval or round.

– Size: Moles are usually about a ¼ inch, roughly the size of a pencil eraser, but they can be larger and cover wide areas of the body like the torso, limbs, or face.

Moles can show up anywhere on the body—underarms, scalp, fingers, toes, you name it. By the time most people hit 50, they have around 10 to 40 moles. Sometimes moles fade over time, while others darken and grow larger due to hormonal changes.

 

Types of Moles

Here’s a breakdown of the different types of moles you might encounter:

1. Acquired Nevi: These moles appear during childhood or adulthood and are typically harmless, rarely developing into skin cancer.
2. Junctional Melanocytic Nevi: These flat moles resemble freckles and are usually brown, black, or dark brown. They tend to show up on the face, trunk, arms, legs, genitals, or soles and often disappear with age.
3. Intradermal Nevi: Dome-shaped and light brown, these moles are located deeper in the skin and typically observed in adults.
4. Compound Nevi: Combining features of junctional and intradermal nevi, these moles appear raised and uniformly pigmented.
5. Freckles: Small, flat spots caused by sun exposure, freckles darken or diminish based on sun exposure.
6. Lentigines: Also known as age spots or liver spots, these flat, brown spots are permanent and associated with sun exposure. They’re common in people over 40 and appear on the face, chest, shoulders, back, arms, and hands.
7. Seborrheic Keratoses: These benign growths of pigmented keratinocytes on the skin’s surface resemble warts or melanoma. They’re typically tan to dark brown and waxy in texture, often found on areas unaffected by sun exposure. While usually harmless, they should be checked by a professional as they can develop into melanoma.

 

Natural Methods to Remove Moles

1. Garlic

Garlic is a powerful natural remedy for moles as it contains enzymes that break down pigment-producing cells and lighten dark pigmentation.

Here’s how to use it:

1. – Crush a fresh garlic clove and apply it to the mole.
2. – Secure it with a bandage and leave it on overnight, or for at least four hours.
3. – Repeat this daily for a few days until the mole falls off naturally, usually within five days of daily application.

Before applying garlic daily, make sure to disinfect the area with rubbing alcohol. Also, protect the skin around the mole by applying petroleum jelly or oil. However, be cautious as garlic may cause redness and irritation on the skin.

 

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a popular home remedy for mole removal due to its acidic properties, which help to scab the mole and aid in its natural removal.

Here’s how to use it:

1. – Dip a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply it to the mole.
2. – Secure with a bandage or medical tape and leave it overnight. Repeat daily for about 10 days until the mole falls off.

Initially, apple cider vinegar may worsen the mole, but it should improve within a week. If it leaves a scar, you can apply coconut oil. To protect the skin around the mole, apply petroleum jelly before using apple cider vinegar.

 

3. Castor Oil

Castor oil is effective in removing warts, moles, and skin tags by dissolving and eliminating unusual growths. While it’s not likely to leave scars, it can take time as it removes moles layer by layer.

Here’s how to use it:

1. – Mix a pinch of baking soda with a few drops of castor oil. You can also add ground aspirin if available.
2. – Gently rub the mixture on your mole and leave it on until it dries naturally, usually for a few hours.
3. – Repeat this process twice daily for about one month. If you don’t have baking soda, you can use castor oil alone.

 

4. Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed oil is beneficial for removing raised moles by softening them and making them easier to remove.

Here’s how to use it:

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

 

5. Iodine

Iodine tincture can also remove moles and skin tags by triggering natural cell death and eliminating clusters. You can find iodine tincture at a drug store.

Here’s how to use it:

1. – Clean the affected area and apply a drop of 5% iodine solution on your mole. For flat moles, you can gently scratch them with an emery board before applying iodine.
2. – Cover the area with a bandage or gauze and leave it on overnight or as long as possible.
3. – Repeat this daily for 1 to 2 weeks. If you prefer not to use a bandage, apply the iodine solution two or three times a day until it dries completely.

Note: While iodine can remove moles without scarring, it may stain the skin. To prevent deep purple staining, apply a small amount of lotion or petroleum jelly around the mole to protect the surrounding skin.

 

6. Pineapple Juice

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

Here’s how to use it:

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

 

7. Grapefruit Seed Extract

Rich in vitamin E and flavonoids, grapefruit seed extract is a natural remedy for removing moles.

Here’s how to use it:

1. – Apply one drop of grapefruit seed extract to your mole.
2. – Cover it using a bandage and leave it on for a few hours. Repeat two or you can do three times a day for about one month.
3. – Alternatively, mix one part grapefruit seed extract with 10 parts avocado oil. Apply it to the affected area and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat daily until satisfied with the results.

 

8. Onion Juice

Onion juice can help remove moles and maintain an even skin tone due to its acidic properties.

Here’s how to use it:

1. – Extract fresh onion juice and apply it to the affected area using a cotton swab.
2. – Leave it on for 30 minutes or more, then wash it off. Repeat two or three times daily for at least three weeks.
3. – Alternatively, mix equal parts onion juice and apple cider vinegar. Apply it overnight or for at least half an hour daily for a month or until your mole fades away.

 

9. Frankincense Oil

Frankincense essential oil, with its astringent properties, can help dry up a mole and gradually remove it layer by layer.

Here’s how to use it:

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

Note: If this remedy causes skin irritation, discontinue use.

 

10. Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera gel is a mild natural remedy for removing and lightening skin moles.

Here’s how to use it:

1. – Apply fresh aloe vera gel directly onto 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 fully.
3. – Repeat this process two or three times a day for a month or until you are satisfied with the results.

Before trying these remedies, especially those with strong ingredients like garlic and apple cider vinegar, ensure your skin is not sensitive to them. If a remedy worsens your skin condition, discontinue its use.