Moles are one of the most common skin characteristics; nearly everyone has at least one somewhere on their body. According to the National Cancer Institute, most adults have anywhere from 10 to 40 moles across their bodies. Moles can develop just about anywhere, but they tend to cluster in areas prone to more sun exposure, like the face, shoulder, back, and arms, making them especially visible and difficult to hide.

Home mole remedies can be tempting because they seem like the quickest and easiest solution, but there are a number of potential risks and side effects to consider before acting as your own dermatologist.

What Is A Mole?

Moles are clusters of melanocytes, a specific type of cell. Melanocytes make pigment, which is what makes your skin turn color. Usually, melanocytes are spread throughout your skin, but when they cluster together into one spot, they form what we know as a mole.

The Risks of At Home Mole Removal Remedies

If you’re aware of and keeping track of your moles, especially if you’re beginning to notice any changes in the size, shape, or color, keep that up. The American Cancer Society encourages regular self-checks to look for abnormalities that can be a sign of skin cancer, as well as regular mole checks and skin cancer screening by a dermatologist. You can have your moles removed even if they’re healthy, but attempting to do it on your own is risky. Here’s why.

You Could End Up with a Burn or Scar

Even when a mole is removed by a trained, qualified professional, there is still a chance that you’ll have a small scar where the mole used to be. When you remove a mole at home, regardless of your chosen method, you are most likely to end up with a scar that might look worse than the mole initially did. Products that advertise “all-natural cauterization” are designed to burn not only the mole away but also healthy skin, which is more likely to leave a noticeable scar.

The Treatment May Not Work

There are no guarantees when it comes to at-home mole removal remedies or over-the-counter treatments, so you’re better off saving yourself plenty of time, money, frustration, and pain by having your moles removed by a professional.

You Don’t Know What You’re Removing

Some moles turn out to be benign, but you have no way of knowing if your mole is cancerous or not until it’s been appropriately examined by a professional. Like other forms of cancer, melanoma is most treatable when caught early enough, so you don’t want to take any chance.

Heightened Risk of Infection

Even if you’re extremely careful and use clean utensils and monitor the removal site, you run the risk of developing an infection. At Dr. Guy Facial Plastic Surgery, we offer safe and professional treatments to remove your moles with minimal scarring and a lower risk of side effects or infections occurring in the area.

Schedule Your Mole Removal in The Woodlands, TX

Don’t gamble on your safety or health, and come have bothersome moles removed by Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. W. Marshall Guy. To schedule your consultation, call (832) 956-1040 or fill out our convenient contact form and get started today.