Moles, those small flesh-coloured or brown growths, are very common and appear randomly on the skin. However, for some people, these marks are seen as unsightly. According to popular belief, it is possible to remove moles with castor oil. But what does science say about this? Find out in this article.
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Castor oil for mole removal?
Summary
Published August 28, 2024,
updated on October 4, 2024,
by
Pauline, Chemical Engineer
—
4 min read
Moles: Can castor oil make them disappear?
Beauty marks, also known as naevi, are small pigmented spots that form on the skin. They can appear on any area of the body, either alone or in large numbers. Beauty marks are the result of a localised overproduction of melanin. The melanocytes concentrate in one spot and the melanin produced forms the beauty mark. This disruption in the melanogenesis process can be triggered by genetic factors, hormonal factors, or even overexposure to the sun's rays. The arrangement of different beauty marks on the body is unique to each individual and can thus be compared to an identity card.
While the majority of moles resemble discreet spots on the skin, some are large or raised and can be considered bothersome and unsightly. Today, there are several "home" remedies promising to make them disappear. Among these, there is the application of a poultice made from castor oil and sodium bicarbonate. However, this technique has not been the subject of any scientific study and is not based on any solid evidence. Today, only dermatologists and aesthetic doctors are able to remove a mole, either by surgical excision under local anaesthesia or with a CO2 laser.
Moles: not to be overlooked.
While the majority of moles are benign, some can develop into melanomas. That's why it's crucial to monitor the evolution of your moles, in order to report any changes to your dermatologist. While everyone is at risk, certain individuals are particularly vulnerable. These include people with fair skin, eyes or hair, freckles, numerous moles, a family history of skin cancer, or those who have difficulty tanning.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, individuals with 10 or more atypical moles are 12 times more likely to develop melanoma.
To mitigate risks, it is recommended to have your moles checked by a dermatologist annually. Between consultations, it is beneficial to monitor certain warning signs of an atypical mole, particularly using the ABCDE method, as outlined in the table below.
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| A for Asymmetry | Most melanomas are asymmetrical and not round or oval. |
| B for Border | The edges of melanomas tend to be irregular. |
| C for Colour | Unlike the majority of benign moles, melanomas can display various shades of brown. |
| D for Diameter | A mole with a diameter greater than 6 mm should raise concern. |
| E for Evolution | Any change in size, shape or colour, as well as the onset of itching or bleeding, could be a warning sign. |
La méthode ABCDE pour repérer les grains de beauté atypiques.
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The key takeaway:
There is no evidence to support the effectiveness of castor oil in removing a mole.
The removal of a mole requires a dermatological consultation, followed by surgical excision or a CO2 laser session.
To minimise the risk of melanoma development, it is recommended to have your moles checked annually by a dermatologist.
Sources
STEIN J. & al. Mole Mapping for Management of Pigmented Skin Lesions. Dermatologic Clinics (2017).
RAJA N. & al. ABCD Rule Implementation for the Skin Melanoma Assessment – A Study. Proceeding of International Conference on Systems Computation Automation and Networking (2019).
TESSEMA S. & al. Physicochemical Characterization and Evaluation of Castor Oil (R. communis) for Hair Biocosmetics. American Journal of Applied Chemistry (2019).
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