What should you know about moles on face?

A mole is a local collection of pigment-producing cells. Facial moles may be flat or raised, smooth or textured, and lighter or darker than nearby skin. Appearance alone cannot confirm whether a mole is benign or needs further testing.

Pay attention to a new mark or a familiar mole that changes in size, outline, colour, surface, or sensation. Bleeding, crusting, persistent itching, or tenderness can also warrant review. These signs do not diagnose skin cancer, but they help a clinician decide whether examination or sampling is appropriate.

Take a clear, well-lit photograph and note where the mole is, how long it has been present, and any recent change. Avoid picking, cutting, or trying home removal products, particularly on facial skin where scarring and eye-area injury are concerns.

A dermatologist can inspect the mole with magnification and discuss observation versus removal. If removal is recommended, the tissue may be sent for laboratory examination. Options can include [Surgical Excision](/treatments/surgical-dermatology/excisional-surgery/) or [Mole Removal](/treatments/surgical-dermatology/mole-removal/), depending on the mole and the clinical goal.

Arrange a prompt dermatology appointment if a facial mole is evolving, has several noticeably different features, repeatedly catches on clothing or accessories, or develops bleeding, crusting, or an open area without a clear injury. Seek urgent medical help for heavy bleeding that does not settle with firm pressure.

Ask whether the mole should be photographed and monitored, what specific change would trigger review, whether removal is medically advisable, and whether removed tissue will be examined in a laboratory.