Before you try to remove the mole from your face, hand, or anywhere on your body, you should first know which type of mole do you have. This can help you figure out the right treatment for the mole. Even a flat mole can fall into several categories of moles. To avoid any risks it is important to figure it out first.
Which type of mole do you have?
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Common mole: This is the type of mole which most adults with light skin have. A person may have between 10 to 40 moles on an average and these are generally harmless.
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Atypical mole: This type of mole may look like melanoma, even though it is not. However you should be careful if you have 4 or more of these moles as you could be at a higher risk of getting melanoma. Atypical mole is also referred to as dysplastic nevus.
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Congenital mole: On average 1 out of 100 people are born with a mole which is referred to as congenital mole. It could be small, medium, or even giant in size and increases the risks of developing melanoma.
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Spitz nevus: This one is usually pink in color, but it also may have some reddish, blackish, or brownish color to it as well. This type of mole looks pretty much like melanoma. However it is hard to tell even for a dermatologist just by looking at it. Which is why a sample might be taken for biopsy to further confirm if it is just a mole or melanoma.
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Acquired mole: This is where things might get a little serious. When a person is born with a mole, it is called as an acquired mole. But it ranges between 50-100 or even more number of moles. If someone has 50 or more of these types of moles, the chances of melanoma are way higher than any other type.
When NOT to remove flat moles?
Not all moles are cancerous, but some can be. Especially if you or your immediate family members have had a history of skin cancer. Before you consider removing the mole, going through the A-B-C-D-E of melanoma can help you decide.
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A (Asymmetrical) - Is your mole irregular in shape?
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B (Border) - Is the border of your mole irregular in shape?
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C (Color) - Is the color of your mole changing or is uneven?
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D (Diameter) - Is your mole larger than the size of a pea?
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E (Evolving) - Has your mole been growing or has there been any change in the past few weeks or months?
If you are still not sure, it is best to get the mole diagnosed by your doctor. Diagnosis should be covered by your insurance company, but the mole removal procedure might not be covered by your insurance. Especially if the mole removal needs to be done only for cosmetic reasons. This is when you may try some home remedies.
How To Remove Flat Moles?
Although there is countless home remedies that are available nowadays, but not all of them work. So it is important to not waste your time and money testing and trying different things out. Simply stick to what has worked for most people and don't reinvent the wheel. While these methods are not backed by science and hardly have any scientific evidence, these are the two main methods most people go for:
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Apple cider vinegar: The cider in apple cider vinegar or ACV is derived from pressed apples, which goes through a fermentation process to derive acetic acid and vinegar. The acetic acid present in the ACV helps chemically burn the mole.
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Aven Buzz Mole Remover Pen: This device works based on the method of cauterization which is used by a lot of dermatologists. In this process you simply burn off the mole through the device. There's 9 different sensitivity levels that you can choose from, depending on however much intensity your skin can handle.
Other home remedies for flat moles include:
- Garlic
- Iodine
- Banana peel
- Castor oil
- Tea tree oil
- Baking soda
- Frankincense oil
