Your doctor can diagnose moles by looking at your skin. During a skin exam, your doctor inspects your skin from head to toe. If your doctor suspects that a mole may be cancerous, it is removed and sent to a lab for examination under a microscope (biopsy). You might choose to make a skin exam a regular part of your preventive medical care. Talk with your doctor about a schedule that’s appropriate for you.

Most moles don’t need treatment. If you’re self-conscious about a mole, you could try makeup to help conceal it. If you have a hair growing from a mole, you might try clipping it close to the skin’s surface or plucking it. Anytime you cut or irritate a mole, keep the area clean. See your doctor if the mole doesn’t heal. You might also talk with your dermatologist about surgically removing a mole if it bothers you or if you notice suspicious changes in it. Mole removal takes only a short time and is usually done on an outpatient basis. Your doctor numbs the area around the mole and cuts it out, along with a margin of healthy skin if necessary. The procedure may leave a permanent scar. People with Black skin are at increased risk of other surgical side effects, such as pigmentary changes at the incision site and keloid scars. If you notice that a mole has grown back, see your doctor promptly.

CIDK

— Dermatology — Moles

Moles

Q: Unusual moles that may indicate melanoma

A mole may be a sign of skin cancer if it has irregular borders or an asymmetrical shape or if it changes in color, shape, size or height. This ABCDE guide can help you remember what to watch for: A is for asymmetrical shape. One half is unlike the other half. B is for border. Look for moles with irregular, notched or scalloped borders. C is for color. Look for growths that have changed color, have many colors or have uneven color. D is for diameter. Look for new growth in a mole larger than 1/4 inch (about 6 millimeters). E is for evolving. Watch for moles that change in size, shape, color or height. Moles may also evolve to develop new signs and symptoms, such as itchiness or bleeding. Cancerous (malignant) moles vary greatly in appearance. Some may show all of the changes listed above. Others may have only one or two unusual characteristics.

Q: Preparing for your appointment

If you have a mole that concerns you, your family doctor can usually let you know if it’s normal or needs further investigation. He or she may then refer you to a doctor who specializes in skin disorders (dermatologist) for diagnosis and treatment. It’s a good idea to arrive for your appointment well prepared. Here’s some information to help you get ready. What you can do List any changes you’ve noticed or any new symptoms you’re experiencing. Include any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment. Bring a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements that you’re taking. If you’ve had a melanoma or a mole removed in the past, note the location of the lesion and the date of removal. If you have the biopsy report, bring it with you. Don’t wear makeup or opaque nail polish to your appointment. These products make it difficult for your doctor to perform a thorough exam. List questions to ask your doctor. For moles, some basic questions to ask your doctor include: Do you think this mole might be cancerous? What’s the most appropriate course of action? How can I tell if a mole needs to be looked at? Can I prevent more moles from developing? Do you have any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend? In addition to the questions that you’ve prepared, don’t hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

Q: What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor in CIDK is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as: When did you first notice this mole? Have you always had it, or is it new? Have you noticed any changes in this mole, such as its color or shape? Have you had other moles surgically removed in the past? If so, do you know if they were unusual (atypical nevi) or malignant? Do you have a family history of atypical nevi, melanoma or other cancers? Have you had peeling sunburns or frequent exposure to ultraviolet radiation, such as from tanning beds?

Moles (nevi) are a common type of skin growth. They often appear as small, dark brown spots and are caused by clusters of pigment-forming cells (melanocytes). Most people have 10 to 40 moles that appear during childhood and adolescence and may change in appearance or fade over time.

Advantages

CERTIFIED EQUIPMENT CIDK

Has the largest fleet of precision-hitting devices from the USA, Israel, and Italy. World brands on guard of beauty!

HIGHLY QUALIFIED DOCTORS

Our staff includes professors, doctors and candidates of medical sciences, doctors and specialists.

AUTHOR'S DEVELOPMENTS OF COSMETOLOGISTS

We perform author's and rare, highly specialized procedures and operations. Individual approach.

SCIENTIFIC BASE

We publish our research, we are speakers at medical conferences. We carry out joint developments with world brands.

STAR GUESTS

Famous personalities trust us with their appearance and health. With CIDK you are sure of the result.

About a moles

Most moles are harmless. Rarely, they become cancerous. Being aware of changes in your moles and other pigmented patches is important to detecting skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma.

Symptoms

The typical mole is a small brown spot. But moles come in different colors, shapes and sizes:

Color and texture. Moles can be brown, tan, black, blue, red or pink. They can be smooth, wrinkled, flat or raised. They may have hair growing from them.
Shape. Most moles are oval or round.
Size. Moles are usually less than 1/4 inch (about 6 millimeters) in diameter — the size of a pencil eraser. Those present at birth (congenital nevi) can be bigger than usual, covering part of the face, torso or a limb.

Moles can develop anywhere on your body, including your scalp, armpits, under your nails, and between your fingers and toes. Most people have 10 to 40 moles. Many of these develop by age 50. Moles may change or fade away over time. With hormonal changes in adolescence and pregnancy, they may become darker and larger.

Clusters of brown spots around the eyes, cheeks and nose are sometimes called flesh moles, but they are actually dermatoses papulosa nigra — a type of seborrheic keratosis, not clusters of pigment-forming cells (nevi). Dermatoses papulosa nigra are more common among Black women. Flesh moles don’t carry a risk of melanoma, but they can be treated if you consider them a cosmetic concern.