Moles are a result of an accumulation of melanin -- pigment -- on one area of the skin. The life cycle of a common mole lasts about 50 years, meaning your mole may eventually disappear if you wait long enough. Sometimes one or more hairs grow out of a mole; while not a sign of cancer, this can be a cosmetic annoyance. If the hair bothers you, you can remove it at home.
Inspect the mole visually before attempting hair removal to determine if it is likely to be cancerous. Most moles are harmless, notes the Cleveland Clinic, however, it is a good idea to inspect moles regularly for signs of cancer 2. Warning signs of potentially cancerous or pre-cancerous moles are: an irregular shaped mole --not round; a multi-colored mole; a mole that does not have definitive borders around the edges; and a mole that is larger in diameter than a pencil eraser. If any of these describes your mole, have it checked by a dermatologist as soon as possible to rule out cancer.
Pull the skin tight around the mole, using your fingers. The hair will remove with more ease from taut skin than it will from loose skin.
Pluck out the hair growing from the mole, using a pair of tweezers. Grasp the hair with the tweezers, as close to the root of the hair as possible, for the easiest removal. Squeeze the tweezers together tightly and pull away from the skin to remove the hair.
Cut the hair off using a pair of nail clippers if you find the thought of pulling hair out of your mole painful. Place the nail clippers as close to the skin as possible and cut the hair, while being careful to avoid cutting the skin.
Visit a dermatologist to discuss permanent hair removal or mole removal, if you desire a permanent solution. Electrolysis is one effective method of permanent hair removal. If you want to undergo electrolysis, you will need to visit a dermatologist first to make sure the mole is not cancerous, as most electrologists will not work on moles without a dermatologist’s approval.
Tips
To reduce pain, apply a topical numbing gel to the mole before plucking the hair. Over-the-counter baby teething gels work well.
Warnings
Shaving, waxing and chemical depilatories tend to irritate moles. The irritation is harmless but can cause discomfort.
