What should you know about normal moles?

Moles can be flat or raised, smooth or slightly textured, and range from light to dark brown. They may appear during childhood or later and can occur almost anywhere on the skin. Stability is useful context, but it is not a diagnosis.

Pay attention to a mark that looks different from your other moles or begins to evolve. A new mole, a changing outline, uneven colour, or a new symptom can have several explanations and should be assessed rather than judged from a photograph alone.

Check your skin periodically in bright light, using a mirror or another person for hard-to-see areas. Take dated photographs when a mole is difficult to remember, and compare its border, colour, shape, and elevation. Use sun protection on exposed skin and avoid scratching or repeatedly rubbing raised moles.

Arrange a medical examination if a mole changes in size, shape, colour, or texture; develops an irregular border; or becomes persistently itchy, tender, crusted, or bleeding. Seek prompt care for rapid evolution, repeated bleeding, or a new mark that looks unlike the rest. The clinician may inspect it closely and discuss observation or sampling.

Ask which features make the mole reassuring or unusual, how often it should be reviewed, and what specific change should prompt an earlier visit. If removal is suggested, ask whether its purpose is diagnosis, symptom relief, or both.