Is it safe to remove a mole myself, if it might be melanoma?

Do not remove moles yourself, you may cause more harm than good. Go to a board certified dermatologist in your area and get a biopsy. Then, a pathologist will examine the mole and give you a diagnosis. You can't make any good decision without knowing what something is in the first place. read more

Skin growths called moles occur anywhere on the skin. When nevus cells, containing the pigment-producing substance melanin, grow in a cluster they produce moles and pigment on our skin. Moles, often harmless, can become malignant, however, creating a danger skin cancer called melanoma. read more

If you’re hell-bent on removing a mole by yourself, you’d better think twice—because self mole removal may increase your risk of melanoma. All over the Internet are articles on how to perform a self mole removal at home, particularly with garlic. read more

See a dermatologist if you want to remove a mole that bothers you. And definitely see a doctor if the mole has changed, which could be a sign of cancer. The doctor can do a biopsy — removing a small piece of the mole to test under a microscope to see if it’s cancerous. Dermatologists use two safe and effective methods for removing moles. read more