Moles

Signs of harmless moles Most harmless moles are round or oval-shaped, with a smooth edge. Credit: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/259903/view They can be flat or raised and may feel smooth or rough. Credit: DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/259947/view Sometimes they have hair growing from them. Credit: Contributor: BSIP SA / Alamy Stock Photo Image ID: MME7MB https://www.alamy.com/nevus-image184710187.html?pv=1&stamp=2&imageid=B33AEE40-FD41-4DE2-BF16-72B8A18E1C94&p=165781&n=0&orientation=0&pn=2&searchtype=0&IsFromSearch=1&srch=foo%3dbar%26st%3d0%26pn%3d2%26ps%3d100%26sortby%3d3%26resultview%3dsortbyRelevant%26npgs%3d0%26qt%3dmole%2520hair%26qt_raw%3dmole%2520hair%26lic%3d3%26mr%3d0%26pr%3d0%26ot%3d0%26creative%3d%26ag%3d0%26hc%3d0%26pc%3d%26blackwhite%3d%26cutout%3d%26tbar%3d1%26et%3d0x000000000000000000000%26vp%3d0%26loc%3d0%26imgt%3d0%26dtfr%3d%26dtto%3d%26size%3d0xFF%26archive%3d1%26groupid%3d%26pseudoid%3d%26a%3d%26cdid%3d%26cdsrt%3d%26name%3d%26qn%3d%26apalib%3d%26apalic%3d%26lightbox%3d%26gname%3d%26gtype%3d%26xstx%3d0%26simid%3d%26saveQry%3d%26editorial%3d%26nu%3d%26t%3d%26edoptin%3d%26bespoke%3d4%26customgeoip%3dGB%26apaid%3d%7b18B189B6-6A83-41BD-8442-2448A6B7E281%7d%26custspecid%3d14369B5F-24B7-4344-B743-D5DE569A1F46%26cap%3d1%26cbstore%3d1%26vd%3d0%26lb%3d%26fi%3d2%26edrf%3d0%26ispremium%3d1%26flip%3d0%26pl%3d They are usually darker on brown and black skin. Credit: Contributor: EyeEm / Alamy Stock Photo Image ID: WBFD4C https://www.alamy.com/portrait-of-woman-with-headscarf-image265256332.html?pv=1&stamp=2&imageid=50740171-D814-439F-8F04-115BCA386F9F&p=914525&n=0&orientation=0&pn=1&searchtype=0&IsFromSearch=1&srch=foo%3dbar%26st%3d0%26pn%3d1%26ps%3d100%26sortby%3d3%26resultview%3dsortbyRelevant%26npgs%3d0%26qt%3dmole%2520african%2520skin%26qt_raw%3dmole%2520african%2520skin%26lic%3d3%26mr%3d0%26pr%3d0%26ot%3d0%26creative%3d%26ag%3d0%26hc%3d0%26pc%3d%26blackwhite%3d%26cutout%3d%26tbar%3d1%26et%3d0x000000000000000000000%26vp%3d0%26loc%3d0%26imgt%3d0%26dtfr%3d%26dtto%3d%26size%3d0xFF%26archive%3d1%26groupid%3d%26pseudoid%3d%26a%3d%26cdid%3d%26cdsrt%3d%26name%3d%26qn%3d%26apalib%3d%26apalic%3d%26lightbox%3d%26gname%3d%26gtype%3d%26xstx%3d0%26simid%3d%26saveQry%3d%26editorial%3d%26nu%3d%26t%3d%26edoptin%3d%26bespoke%3d4%26customgeoip%3dGB%26apaid%3d%7b18B189B6-6A83-41BD-8442-2448A6B7E281%7d%26custspecid%3d14369B5F-24B7-4344-B743-D5DE569A1F46%26cap%3d1%26cbstore%3d1%26vd%3d0%26lb%3d%26fi%3d2%26edrf%3d0%26ispremium%3d1%26flip%3d0%26pl%3d It's normal for: babies to be born with moles new moles to appear – especially in children and teenagers moles to fade or disappear as you get older moles to get slightly darker during pregnancy Signs a mole could be cancerous Some moles can be a sign of melanoma , a type of skin cancer. Melanomas may change colour over time or have more than 2 colours. Credit: DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/253324/view They often have uneven edges. Credit: DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/108472/view Sometimes they may bleed, itch, or be crusty or raised. Credit: DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/97260/view

Moles only need treating if they're a sign of melanoma. If the GP thinks your mole is melanoma, you'll be referred to a specialist in hospital. You should get an appointment within 2 weeks. The main treatment for melanoma is surgery to remove the mole. Cosmetic mole removal Most moles are harmless. Harmless moles are not usually treated on the NHS. You can pay a private clinic to remove a mole, but it may be expensive.

UV light from the sun can increase the chance of a mole becoming cancerous. If you have lots of moles, you need to be extra careful in the sun. It's important to check your moles regularly for any changes. There are some things you can do to protect your moles from sun damage, especially during hot weather. Do stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm, when sunlight is strongest cover skin with clothes – wear a hat and sunglasses if you have moles on your face regularly apply a high-factor sunscreen (minimum SPF30) and apply it again after swimming Don’t do not use sunlamps or sunbeds – they use UV light