Why You Don't Want to Remove Skin Lesions Yourself
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Have you noticed a new growth?
You may have noticed a new growth on your skin that you think is unattractive. It could be a mole, a seborrheic keratosis (wart-like growth), or a skin tag. As you age, these growths are normal, but you don’t want to try to remove them yourself.
Over-the-counter solutions
Many over-the-counter solutions claim they can remove moles, seborrheic keratoses, or skin tags. However, the FDA has not approved them for treating these skin lesions.
These products usually contain high concentrations of salicylic acid or other potentially dangerous substances. They often don’t remove the lesion or don’t remove all of it. The surrounding skin could be permanently injured even if the lesion falls off. It could be scarred or discolored. This outcome would be more distressing and noticeable than the original lesion, especially if you applied the product to your face.
In addition, a product claiming to be “natural” or “organic” does not mean it is harmless. It may contain high concentrations of salicylic acid or other ingredients that can cause injury or infection. And even if salicylic acid isn’t listed as an ingredient, that doesn’t mean the product is safe to use.
In fact, the FDA has received reports about people who developed permanent skin injuries and infections after using products marketed as mole or skin tag removers, so the FDA is advising consumers to avoid these products.
Identification
Another issue with trying to remove a lesion yourself is that you might be incorrectly identifying what it is. Most moles, seborrheic keratoses, and skin tags are not cancerous. But sometimes, skin cancer can look harmless. Melanoma is a particularly dangerous type of skin cancer that can spread if not caught early.
Therefore, anytime you have a new growth on your skin, you should have it checked out by a board-certified dermatologist to be safe. If you try to remove it yourself, you could change its appearance and make it harder to identify. In addition, if you do have skin cancer, you could leave part of the chance on your skin, and it can spread.
How to remove skin lesions
The best way to address new skin issues is to make an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist. The dermatologist can examine the affected area, diagnose what it is, and give you treatment options if needed.
