Introduction
Moles are small, coloured spots on the skin. Most people have them and they're usually nothing to worry about unless they change size, shape or colour.
Most moles are harmless
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
When a mole could be serious
Some moles can be a sign of melanoma ↗, a type of skin cancer.
Signs of melanoma include:
See a GP if you notice a change in a mole
It's important to get a new or existing mole checked out if it:
- changes shape or looks uneven
- changes colour, gets darker or has more than 2 colours
- starts itching, crusting, flaking or bleeding
- gets larger or more raised from the skin
These changes can happen over weeks or months.
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 treatment
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.
How to prevent cancerous moles
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 – read more about sunscreen and sun safety ↗
Don't
do not use sunlamps or sunbeds – they use UV light
Further information
The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) has more information about sunscreen ↗ and how to stay safe in the sun.