Moles on the body

What are moles on the body?

Moles are collections of pigmented skin cells called melanocytes that grow in a cluster. They can be skin coloured or brown or occasionally darker. They can be either flat or raised depending on the type of mole and can appear on the body or face.
mole check

Moles can be completely harmless and have no real function or use but rarely they can change or new ones form. In these instances it is always important to get changing moles checked with your doctor just to ensure there is no suspicious or worrying signs of skin cancer.

Where do moles occur?

Skin moles on the body are common. They can irritate and get larger as we age and often catch on clothing and bras as well as rub in areas such as the armpits and between the legs.

New moles can keep appearing as we get older and this can be normal however you must look out any changes in size shape and color particularly dark brown or black.

How moles can be removed?

There are numerous ways to remove moles from the skin which are simple, cheap and effective and almost leave no scar. The simplest dermatology procedure is to freeze them off however in most cases mole removal surgery or laser mole removal is required.

We advise against home remedies or creams that enable you to remove the moles by yourself as this can often cause worse scarring and potentially you could mistreat a skin cancer.

Self Examined Mole Checks

• Self-checking for unusual moles is highly recommended to spot any unusual signs as early as possible
  Examine your skin all over including soles of your feet every 3 months – look for changes in size, shape, colour (particularly dark moles) and over 5mm in size
• Remember 70% of all melanomas are new moles
• Most suspicious moles look different from all your other moles –‘ The Ugly Duckling Sign’
• If in doubt consult your doctor see mole check for further information

Facts about moles

• You will often get more moles as you age.
• Moles are common on the skin of most people
• The number of moles varies according to genetic predisposition
• Sun exposure can make your moles go darker
• The majority of moles are harmless BUT abnormal moles can be very dangerous. Early treatment leads to the best outcomes in such cases