Moles, medically known as nevi, are common skin growths. These spots form when melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing skin pigment, grow in clusters instead of spreading evenly. Moles can vary in appearance, presenting as small brown, tan, or pink spots, and may be either flat or slightly raised.
The Natural Course of Moles
Many moles can change their appearance over a person’s lifetime, and some may even fade or disappear naturally. This is especially true for common, non-cancerous moles as individuals age. Moles often follow a typical lifecycle, starting as flat, brown spots during childhood and adolescence. Over time, these can become more raised and may lighten in color. Factors like sun exposure and hormonal shifts, such as those occurring during puberty or pregnancy, can influence these natural changes or lead to the formation of new ones.
A specific type, known as a halo nevus, is recognized for its tendency to naturally disappear. This process begins with a pale, white ring forming around the mole, which then gradually fades over several years, leaving behind a lighter area of skin. While most moles appear during childhood, changes in moles are a normal part of aging.
Recognizing Concerning Mole Changes
While natural changes are common, it is important to distinguish between typical mole evolution and changes that could signal a problem. Some moles can undergo transformations that indicate the presence of melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. Healthcare providers recommend using the “ABCDEs” of melanoma detection to help identify potentially concerning moles:
- Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other half.
- Border irregularity: Edges are uneven, notched, or blurred.
- Color variation: The mole exhibits multiple shades of brown, black, tan, or even areas of red, white, or blue.
- Diameter: A mole larger than 6 millimeters, roughly the size of a pencil eraser, though melanomas can sometimes be smaller.
- Evolving: Any change in the mole’s size, shape, color, or elevation over time, or new symptoms like bleeding, itching, or crusting.
Regular self-examinations and professional dermatological checks are important for monitoring moles and promptly addressing any suspicious changes. Even if a mole seems to disappear, but had previously shown any of these concerning characteristics, it warrants medical evaluation.
Medical Approaches to Mole Removal
Moles are sometimes removed for medical reasons, such as suspicion of malignancy, or if they cause irritation. Some individuals choose to have moles removed for cosmetic purposes. The removal procedure is quick and performed as an outpatient procedure using local anesthesia.
Common methods include surgical excision, shave removal, and laser removal. Surgical excision involves cutting out the entire mole with a small margin of surrounding tissue, often requiring stitches. Shave removal is used for moles that protrude above the skin’s surface, where the mole is shaved off at skin level without stitches. Laser removal uses concentrated light beams to break down mole cells, suitable for smaller, flatter, non-cancerous moles, often resulting in minimal scarring but may not allow for tissue biopsy. Following removal, especially for suspicious moles, the tissue is sent to a laboratory for examination.