(Updated 5/18/2017)
This is our personal story of how we removed a mole. We are not medical professionals, nor should this post be construed as medical advice.
Mrs. Crumbs and I have come to really like using apple cider vinegar (ACV) for a variety of reasons, including a daily detox drink and as a homemade produce wash. We even figured out how to make our own homemade apple cider vinegar!
We’re all about using homemade remedies whenever possible. We’ve healed spider bites using a potato, healed acne with bentonite clay, created flea and tick dog collars with essential oils, made our own homemade bug repellents and even figured out how to heal gum disease naturally.
Today, we’re documenting an apple cider vinegar mole removal tutorial.
THE MOLE (before)
If you can’t tell by the look on my face, I’m not exactly thrilled to have these “epic” photos on the internet. But it is important to display the magnitude of how large this mole grew over the years. I’m also willing to suffer for the greater good of everyone else removing moles with apple cider vinegar at home.
For as long as I can remember, this mole started out as a tiny speck near my ear. Obviously it has grown substantially over my 30+ years on earth.
This mole constantly got in the way of haircuts and would ALWAYS get nicked by clippers. It also caused my hair to grow sideways – yes, parallel with the ground (which was very annoying). Just a few days after a haircut, there would be 3 or 4 hairs sticking far out of my head because of this mole!
To make matters worse, every year I went to the doctor for a physical, the doctor would always say “let me remove that for you” or “let me zap it!” No, thank you. It wasn’t changing color and having it frozen off my head didn’t sound fun.
“No,” I replied. “It’s not hurting anything.”
Wanting the doctor to leave “the mole” alone, I set out to find a more natural or holistic way to remove this guy. “How to remove moles naturally” led to all sorts of Google generated responses, from expensive topical creams to using alcohol. Apple cider vinegar mole removal is a pretty common one too.
Plus we had some high quality apple cider vinegar in the kitchen cabinet. It seemed to be the least painful method, so Mrs. Crumbs and I thought it was worth a shot.
A Quick Side Note on the Quality of Apple Cider Vinegar…
When it comes to natural remedies, it’s good practice to use the highest quality ingredients you can find, and afford. As the level of processing goes up, the benefits of ingredients goes down. So ideally, you want your ingredients to be raw and unprocessed whenever possible.
Adding factors like non-GMO and organic are good, but they’re not necessary and they make the price tag go up.
For this apple cider vinegar mole removal, it means using vinegar that is raw AND contains the mother. It’s available locally in most areas, but I’ve found the best prices online. As of this posting:
- Amazon – Viva Naturals is 42¢ per ounce and if you have Prime, it has free 2-day free shipping. (If you don’t have Prime, you can sign up for a FREE 30-day trial of Amazon Prime right here.)
- Thrive Market – The famous Bragg apple cider vinegar is 18¢ per ounce, but if you don’t care about brands, the Thrive Market brand is the best bet at just 14¢ per ounce. Thrive Market requires a yearly membership, BUT you can get a free 30-day trial here AND a free jar of organic coconut oil when you shop through this link.
Various sites returned different protocols and instructions on how to implement the apple cider vinegar method. Not wanting a band aid on my head at work, we decided that the apple cider vinegar mole removal process could be done at night while sleeping.
Apple Cider Vinegar Mole Removal Tutorial
How to Remove Moles with Apple Cider Vinegar: Supplies
- Cotton balls
- Apple Cider Vinegar (see notes above)
- Band-Aids
How to Remove Moles with Apple Cider Vinegar: Method
- Dip half a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar, saturating yet squeezing out excess.
- Apply the cotton ball on top of mole.
- Use a band-aid to secure cotton ball over mole.
- Leave the secured cotton ball on the mole for up to 8 consecutive hours each day.
- Continue steps 1 though 4 until mole scabs up and falls off.
Note: Although weak, apple cider vinegar is acidic and it may cause skin sensitivity. Using apple cider vinegar to remove a mole also creates a “wound” on your skin, just like a scrape or a cut. Treat it like a wound, keep it clean and use your best judgement as it continues to heal.
Doesn’t that sound better than having a doctor freeze it off? Mrs. Crumbs would apply the saturated cotton ball right before bed time and would remove it in the morning before going to work the next day. The first morning the mole looked “white.”
Day 2 of Apple Cider Vinegar Treatment
The mole turned darker again during the day, but by day 3 it started scabbing up and “crusting over.”
Day 3 of Apple Cider Vinegar Treatment
Day 4 of Apple Cider Vinegar Treatment
After day 4, we decided not to apply any more ACV to the area. We weren’t really sure what was going on, but it appeared to be working.
Additionally, the area around the mole became a little red from the vinegar because it’s acidic.
One Month After Treatment
This method was painless. Maybe a little irritation from ripping the band-aid off of my scalp, or from the apple cider vinegar on the skin, but it was easy and I would definitely do it again.
Note: Although I did not experience any skin sensitivity to the ACV, some readers who tried this felt some burning and skin irritation. Using Aloe Vera or Coconut Oil around the mole before or after application of the ACV may help. If you experience pain that seems out of the ordinary quit treatment immediately and let your skin heal.
Here are a couple of shots of what the area looks like now six months later (with my hair shaved extra short so you can get a good look):
And that’s it!
UPDATE: Here’s another couple of shots, now 8-9 months later.
A funny side note: when I mentioned to a family member that we were going to attempt to remove moles ourselves, they were completely against it. Once we told them we were only using apple cider vinegar to remove the mole, their tone of voice changed and they figured “what’s the worst that could happen.”
And that was pretty much our view too, until it worked!
The apple cider vinegar mole removal process appears to be relatively safe, and you are not applying harsh chemicals on your skin. If you are looking for an alternative to mole removal, you might want to give this a try!
Other Non-food Related Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar:
- Facial Toning: Mix 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar with 1 – 3/4 cup water (Mrs. Crumbs has done this and liked it.)
- Treat Sinus Infections: Mix 1 tsp apple cider vinegar with 2-3 Tbsp water, gargle for 30 seconds and swallow. Repeat every hour for the first 6 hours, then every 2 (except while sleeping). Repeat until symptoms subside and the body heals itself. (I’ve actually done this myself. The sinus infection took about a full week to heal – which was how long it took to see a doctor – but I was able to heal it myself and the doctor confirmed it!)
- Manage Seasonal Allergies: Similar to treating a sinus infection with apple cider vinegar, mix 1 tsp with 2-3 Tbsp water, gargle for 30 seconds and swallow. Repeat twice daily, or up to four times for more severe allergies. (Mrs. Crumbs did this and her symptoms were gone within two days).
- Rid Croup: My son had a strange cough that included no other symptoms. We waited for a week to see if the cough would go away, but it didn’t. It was harsh, loud and often. We gave him the same remedy as the sinus infection and his cough had reduced significantly within one day and was completely gone within three.
- Regular Immune and Detoxification Support: Heather from NeverLackingZeal found a way to incorporate ACV into her regular routine to boost her immune system and detox daily. Check it out right here on Crumbs – DIY Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Elixir.
- Common Cold: Katie Mae at Nourishing Simplicity created a “knock your socks off” cold kicking cider. The vitamins, antioxidants and phyto-nutrients are powerful and WILL kick your cold to the curb!!
- Bug Repellent: We make our own bug repellent with essential oils (Note: I really like Young Living essential oils and this is why however, I understand not everyone needs a subscription. Plant Therapy are a great runner up. You can find their shop here.). However, readers have suggested that drinking just 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar on a daily basis has kept bugs away too!
- Homemade Conditioner: Just 1 tablespoon and warm water can replace your typical shampoo. Not only does it work, but this will save you TONS of money too!
The anti-infective properties of ACV are amazing! The studies on vinegar show that it can help with a wide variety of infectious issues. Anytime you’re thinking about healing something naturally, definitely consider apple cider vinegar!
I removed a mole with apple cider vinegar!
- I know it sounds a little crazy, but it works!
- Typically we make our own apple cider vinegar using this method, but for this home remedy I used Bragg’s raw apple cider vinegar. (You can find it for a great price HERE.) I also recommend this brand and this one for their quality.
- I also recommend a little aloe vera or coconut oil around the mole you are trying to remove. This helps with any sensitivity you may experience from the ACV.
I LOVE when one item serves multiple purposes. Apple cider vinegar is no exception! I use it in the kitchen for cooking, but also homemade conditioner, a detox elixir, and now mole removal!
Written by Mr. Crumbs
We have not used this on moles, but have had great success using ACV on warts! Anytime our sons have had warts, we put a cotton ball dipped in ACV on the wart, cover with a band aid, changing every day, and in a few days, the wart falls off. It’s a super cheap treatment and 100% effective remedy. ACV is such a wonderful product to keep on hand.
I used a variation of this treatment about 15yrs ago which worked and never returned.
ACV is very acidic and any skin that comes in contact with the ACV for an extended period of time WILL burn the skin off.
First mildly score the surface of the mole with a nail file for better penetration.
I’d recommend putting Vaseline on the exterior of the mole. Twice a day I placed a soaked ear swab directly on mole for 5ish minutes. Within a couple of days it stabbed over. If you can don’t touch and allow to fall off on its own… I couldn’t wait and picked the scab off. Still worked.
I’m trying this on 2 “moles”. One on my forehead and one on my forearm. I’m super scared. I’m big into holistic healing but I feel like no one will recognize me anymore. The one on my forehead used to bein the shape of a heart-ish. The one on my forearm looked like an arrowhead.
Day/night 1. Wish me luck. I dont have much support or understanding from those around me, although I’m part of a huge natural healing community.
I had a birth mark mole for 42 years! A doctor told me it would have to be surgically removed and I would need skin grafting to cover scar. I used Apple cider vinegar cotton balls overnight for about a month. It works!
This same method works on verrucas.
Should I dilute the ACV with water?
Hello John,
I didn’t dilute the ACV. I did not experience any skin sensitivity to the ACV, some readers who tried this felt some burning and skin irritation. Using Aloe Vera or Coconut Oil around the mole before or after application of the ACV may help. If you experience pain that seems out of the ordinary quit treatment immediately and let your skin heal. Hope this helps.
Does the type of acidity matter in the apple cider and vinegar? I bought ACV having 5% diluted acidity. It seems that’s the only type of ACV I can find.
Joe, 5% should work. The other thing to look for is if it’s “with the mother.”
I tried your method for removing moles and it has worked really well on both my face and neck – thank you so much for posting this info as I have hated my moles for years but always worried about removal by surgery etc – I am now spreading the word to my friends and relations – bravo!
Thank you for sharing Debra!
Your story convinced my son to try it. He had a large raised mole also in his hairline- practically the same spot as yours! He’s so thrilled with the results: completely gone. Just a flat brown dot like a large freckle now but zero raised edges!! Thank you for sharing your story!
So after day 4, did you apply any more ACV to the mole? Does the mole eventually disappeared 6 months later without using apple cider vinegar? Or did you reapplied ACV after 4 days?
Reapply everyday using the method in the post.
I have a flat fibrous papule on the end of my nose. Please tell me ACV will work to remove it!
Hi Barbara,
As Tiffany is not a doctor, we cannot give medical advice for specific conditions. But you can always try for yourself and see! 🙂
Thanks for the tip, will give it a go on my mole.
Also just remembered I used apple cider vinegar to get rid of stubborn verruca’s on my feet a few years ago!
I had tried products bought at the pharmacy and had them frozen at the doctors at first. Then I tried apple cider vinegar and wrapped the verrucas with duct tape and they were completely gone with a few days! Easy!
So I am now 21 years old and growing up was SO self conscious about two miles that appeared to be growing on my face. As a little girl, obviously my parents, nor I, had the money to get them removed professionally and I recall being 18, 3 years ago and using this on one of my facial moles. Of course I was super excited it was working and it’s probably common sense not to put make up over the healing wound, but I did and it looked like it was barely there! It heard perfect within 2 weeks and it was like I never had a mole there. My other mole was quite small so I didn’t bother with it. Recently I noticed my other mole getting more and more noticeable. I instantly remembered this method and was lucky to find it online again and now it’s just as successful as the first time and my other mole looks like it was never there. Highly recommend this to anyone who can’t afford high end removals and doctor bills. Thank heaven this is a thing because I have never been comfortable with these ugly things on my face lol
Hi Rebecca!
We’re so glad that this natural method has worked well for you. Thanks so much for sharing with us! 🙂
Hello!
So tomorrow will complete 2 weeks of me using this remedy to get rid of my mole.. Pretty similar location where yours is, but on the right.. It’s formed a huge scab.. So do I keep applying until one day it falls off, or now that a strong scab has formed, I should stop applying and wait for it to fall off?
Thank you.
Hi Avi,
I would wait for it to fall off now, if you’ve been using it for 2 weeks. Hope this helps. 🙂
Tiffany, thank you for sharing this information, very helpful! I decided to try this technique and was delighted with how well it worked to remove a mole and without any scarring.
Don’t buy those fancy scar-healing creams for small holes like this leaves. I asked my doc if they were worth it, and he said, nope, the best thing to use is just vitamin E. I had to have an operation and I squeezed the oil out of an extra-strength vitamin E capsule morning and evening. It healed up better than any scar I had before, even though obviously it was all the way through the skin and flesh, and had stitches.
At first it looked like Frankenstein had been working on me, but most of the redness and stitch holes disappeared. I scar very easily so I know it won’t go away entirely (I can still see the marks from scars I got 40 years ago!), but I don’t feel like a freak of nature.
(I’m white; don’t know how well it would work on other skin. I know Black people have more trouble with scars.)
did it crater? Looks like it cratered your skin.
It did at first, but it’s since regrown and it looks like the rest of his skin – as if the mole was never there!
Just a tip for anybody dropping by, I’ve heard of this being done recommends use of a cocktail stick to lightly scratch the surface of the mole, it makes it a little more poroirs and helps with a cleaner finish. Thanks
i hv mole on my upper lips part how long it ll take to remove ??..
I have a mole on the side of my face and used acv to get rid of it months ago, but it would always grow back after a month. I tried using acv on one night for 10 hours and it fell off only to regrow the next week. Do you guys leave the acv for a week straight or is one night good enough for removal?
Hey! Same is the case with me. I tried to remove a mole on my face thrice with ACV. But every time it regrew after some time.
When you said you stopped after the fourth day, does that mean you only applied ACV 3 times and then leave the mole? Or did you continue to apply ACV afterwards? Thank you, I have a mole on my neck that is unattractive and I am hoping this will work 🙂
Hi Carter! ACV 4 times and then stopped completely. Good luck!!
Hello! I am curious to know that didn’t that mole reappear since then?
I removed mine using ACV. It did came off in the form of scab but it reappeared after a few weeks. I don’t know what I did wrong. 🙁
Nope – it’s still gone to this day!