In the age of do-it-yourself living, it’s tempting to try almost anything at home. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people swapped gym memberships for living room workouts, turned their kitchens into restaurants, and relied on video calls to stay connected. While most of these lifestyle adjustments are harmlessaside from the occasional bad haircut—some things should never be DIY projects. One of those is mole removal.
Moles and skin tags are common, and various devices now claim to let you remove them yourself using burning, freezing, or laser-like technology. At first glance, this might sound like a convenient and cost-saving solution. However, dermatologists warn that at-home mole removal is risky, dangerous, and in some cases, life-threatening.
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### The Hidden Dangers of DIY Mole Removal
According to **Dr. Deborah S. Sarnoff**, president of The Skin Cancer Foundation, trying to remove a mole on your own is nothing like cutting your own hair. “There are very serious risks associated with attempting mole removal at home,” she says. Over the years, patients have told her they tried everything from over-the-counter mole removal pens to extreme DIY methods involving duct tape and scissors.
The biggest danger is that you simply cannot know what you are cutting off. Dermatologists spend years training to recognize suspicious lesions. Even then, a biopsy is required to confirm whether a mole is harmless or malignant. By attempting self-removal, you could be slicing off a **melanoma**, a dangerous skin cancer that spreads aggressively if left untreated.
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### Melanoma: A Risk Too Great to Ignore
Melanoma is one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer. If caught early, it can often be treated successfully. But if a melanoma is partially removed at home, cancerous cells can remain in the skin and silently spread through the bloodstream to other organs. What seems like a small cosmetic procedure could, in fact, allow a life-threatening disease to progress unnoticed.
A dermatologist, by contrast, would biopsy the mole and, if malignant, recommend further surgery to ensure all cancerous cells are removed. This professional process dramatically lowers the risk of recurrence or spread.
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### Other Complications of DIY Removal
Beyond the threat of cancer, self-removal comes with several additional risks:
* **Infection:** Without sterile tools, proper skin preparation, and aftercare, infections are common. Infections delay healing and increase the chances of permanent scarring.
* **Scarring:** At-home removals often lead to unattractive scars. These may be indented, chicken pox-like marks or raised, bumpy scars—sometimes worse cosmetically than the original mole.
* **Incomplete removal:** Many home devices only remove the surface of the mole, leaving tissue underneath intact. Not only does this fail to solve the cosmetic issue, but it can also complicate any future professional removal.
* **Misdiagnosis risks:** Lasering or burning a mole can alter cell structures. If tissue samples are later examined, these changes might be mistaken for melanoma, leading to unnecessary and stressful cancer treatments.
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### Why Professional Care Matters
Dr. Sarnoff emphasizes that none of these risks are worth the gamble. Even if your main concern is cosmetic, dermatologists are equipped to remove moles safely, effectively, and with the least amount of scarring. They also ensure that any suspicious mole is properly evaluated.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people worried about visiting doctors’ offices, but alternatives are available. Patients can often send photos to their physician or schedule teledermatology appointments for an initial evaluation. What matters most is that skin concerns are addressed under professional guidance rather than through risky DIY methods.
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### The Bottom Line
At-home mole removal devices may appear to save money and time, but the hidden costs—ranging from scarring to potentially overlooking a deadly melanoma—are simply too great. When it comes to your skin, the stakes are high, and peace of mind is priceless.
“If you notice something new, changing, or unusual on your skin, don’t take chances,” says Dr. Sarnoff. “Call a dermatologist, ask questions, and insist on proper care.”
Your skin health is not a DIY project. Trust the experts to keep you safe.
Resources: https://moleremovalsanfrancisco.com/