Moles are common skin growths that vary in shape, size and colour. Most people have between 30 and 40 moles, but this number can climb up to 600. Some growths may protrude more than others, inciting individuals to have them removed. But one doctor explains why you should never attempt to do this at home.
But the greatest risk of all comes with removing a mole that is potentially cancerous, as this enables malignant cells to disperse deeper within the epidermis.
“You should never allow your barber to remove a skin lesion without a proper evaluation by a physician” explained doctor Shah.
“We would evaluate it, remove it under clean condition and then send it off to a lab to look at it under a microscope.
“This is how you would remove the surface of skin cancer without the roots, and the risk is it could spread throughout the body.
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“I do not recommend this, do not try this.”
There are a number of skincare devices that promise safe removal of the skin growths, by burning, freezing, or lasering them off.
These methods do not come without risks and harmful side effects, however, and should also be avoided at all costs.
Moles
According to the NHS moles are small, coloured spots on the skin.
“Most people have them and they’re usually nothing to worry about unless they change size, shape or colour,” explains the health body.
In one 2010 study, researchers suggested that the skin growths could help keep skin look more youthful for longer.
Doctor Veronique Bataille, a dermatologist based at Hemel Hempstead General Hospital, noted that people with a larger number of moles appeared more resilient to the effects of skin ageing.
The reason for this connection remains unclear, but the team pointed out stark differences in the genetic codes of people with moles.
Notably, they noticed different patterns in the sections on the end of the genetic strands, known as telomeres.
Other findings revealed a reduction in bone density was also lessened by the presence of moles.
In fact, the study – which consisted of 1,200 twins – found that those with 100 moles were half as likely to develop osteoporosis than those with 25 moles or fewer.
Other conflicting evidence suggests that a plentitude of moles are linked to a greater risk of cancer.
“It’s important to get a new or existing mole checked out if it changes in shape or looks uneven, changes colour, gets darker or has more than two colours, starts itching, crusting, flaking or bleeding, or gets more raised from the skin,” explains the NHS.