What Are Moles?

Moles are very common. In fact, most people have between 10 and 40 moles on their bodies! Moles can be flat or raised (flat moles are called junctional nevi while raised moles are called compound nevi). They may be pink, tan, brown, or a color similar to your normal skin tone, and are usually round or oval — and smaller than a pencil eraser.

Moles may be present at birth or may appear later on—usually before age 40.  People who have dark skin tend to have dark moles.  When surgically removed, moles normally do not return.

When Do Moles Change?

Moles may darken during pregnancy. Moles may also darken after sun exposure. Melanocytes produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its natural color. When skin is exposed to the sun, melanocytes produce more pigment, causing the skin to tan, or darken. Sometimes, clusters of melanocytes and surrounding tissue form noncancerous growths called moles.

When Should I Worry About My Moles?

Most moles are harmless and do not require treatment. However, it is important to first deteremine whether it is a harmless “mole” rather than an indication of something more serious. For this reason, it is crucial to be careful with your skin and aware of its changes. Everyone should perform a monthly skin self-exam. This is particularly important if you have many moles on your body!

How Can I Prevent Moles From Becoming Cancerous?

There are also some steps you can take to help prevent moles from developing into cancers. The following steps are even more important in Los Angeles, where we are bathed in sun all the time. To help prevent moles from becoming cancerous, you should:

-avoid sun exposure

-use a quality sunscreen

-schedule regular visits to a qualified dermatologist for skin cancer screenings; and

-monitor your moles yourself using the ABCDE rules for keeping an eye out for melanoma

Have a question about your skin? If you would like to discuss your moles or schedule your routine skin health check with Dr. Kormeili, please contact our office!