Moles are small spots on the skin made from cells called melanocytes that produce the color (pigment) in our skin. They are often brownish in color, although some may be darker or skin-colored. They can be flat or raised, smooth or rough, and some have hair growing from them. Most are circular or oval with a smooth edge. Moles normally appear in early childhood and during the first 30 years of a person’s life. It’s normal to have between 10 to 40 moles by adulthood, and they can change appearance over time. Although they are usually not a health concern, some people don’t like the way they look. Here are some ideas on how to get rid of unwanted moles.
Banana Peel
Quite a surprising remedy for moles is to place banana peel scrapings on top of your mole, held in place with a bandage. It’s best to do it overnight to minimize the chances of the scrapings dislodging. It seems that banana peel can help to dry up moles, due to some powerful enzymes it contains.
Castor oil
Castor oil is has been proven to be effective for breaking down moles. One of its major advantages is that it typically leaves the skin unblemished, but you must weigh this against the fact that castor oil is a long-term treatment that works slowly. Add a few drops of castor oil to a pinch of baking soda to make a paste that can be applied to the mole. Let it dry for about two to three hours, and wash it off with warm water. Repeat twice a day.
Garlic
Garlic is a source of powerful enzymes that can help break down the cells that produce pigment. Some people report that three- to five-day treatments with garlic can cause a mole to fall off. Even if this won’t happen, your dark mole may fade. Simply crush a clove of fresh garlic, and place the paste on the mole and surrounding area with some neutral oil to prevent spreading. Cover the area with dressing to ensure constant contact for at least four to six hours to get the best results.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains potent acids that can dissolve your troublesome mole. Apply the apple cider vinegar sparingly, just touch your mole with a cotton pad — and do this on a daily basis until the mole disappears. To protect the surrounding skin from irritation, apply some petroleum jelly around the mole.
Astringent Oil
Astringent oil is quite strong; before application, you should dilute it to prevent redness or irritation. Mix one teaspoon of oil with eight teaspoons of olive oil, and apply the mix directly onto the mole. Wash the oil mixture off the skin after three to four hours, and then repeat two to three times a day for several weeks until all of the layers of the mole disappear.
Grapefruit juice extract
Grapefruit juice extract is rich in flavonoids and full of healing properties Vitamin E and can be used to get rid of moles and other skin growths. Apply some grapefruit extract on your mole, and bandage it so that the extract can be fully absorbed into the area.
Iodine
Iodine is perfect for people with sensitive skin prone to irritation. It’s well known for its mole-dissolving properties. Apply a little bit of little iodine onto the mole two to three times a day. After a few days, you should notice the mole starting to look different, and a couple more treatments should lead to it falling off entirely.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is kind to the skin, won’t cause irritation and is very good at lightening moles. Fresh aloe vera works best (either store-bought or from a plant) — just apply it to the mole, and cover the area with a bandage. You can remove the covering once the gel has dissolved, and do this two to three times per day.
Pineapple Juice
Similarly to garlic, pineapple juice contains powerful enzymes that help to disintegrate the outer layers of a mole. Some people suggest mixing it with a little bit of salt to enhance the effect of breaking down the pigment. Try applying both directly to your mole at night, and wash it off in the morning.
Onion Juice
Onion juice is mildly acidic and can dissolve the mole layer by layer. It’s also very effective as a treatment for uneven skin tone, so the area around the mole may look better than ever after treatment is complete. Use a cotton bud to apply freshly extracted onion juice, and then wash it off the area after an hour. You can repeat this up to three times a day until the mole is gone.