What should you know about having moles checked?

A clinician reviews the spot’s history and examines its colour, border, shape, size and surface, often comparing it with nearby moles. A change may be harmless, but a new or evolving mark deserves a clear assessment rather than a guess from a photograph. Mention sun exposure, previous skin cancers, family history and any earlier changes.

A clinician may recommend monitoring, removal for comfort or appearance, or a tissue sample when the diagnosis is uncertain. The laboratory result, rather than appearance alone, confirms what removed tissue represents.

Take a dated photograph from the same distance and note when you first noticed the change. Do not pick, burn or attempt to remove a mole at home. Use sun protection and avoid covering a bleeding spot with adhesive that irritates the skin. If removal is advised, discuss whether Surgical Excision or Mole Removal fits the spot’s location, depth and appearance, and ask how the sample will be assessed.

Arrange a dermatology review for a mole that changes in colour, shape or border, develops several shades, grows, bleeds, crusts, repeatedly itches or does not heal. Seek prompt care for persistent bleeding, spreading redness, pus or severe pain after an injury or procedure. A rapidly changing lesion should not wait for routine cosmetic treatment.

Ask what feature prompted concern, whether monitoring is appropriate, how removal would affect the scar, and whether the tissue will be sent for laboratory examination.