Moles are common enough that it’s hard to meet someone who does (or has not) have at least one on their skin. These naturally occurring skin growths can either be present at birth or develop over time. In many cases, they are harmless and cannot affect the health of a person or their skin. However, it is well documented that certain moles can change over time and even evolve into skin cancer. Which is why our board-certified dermatologists and physician assistants wanted to explain moles in more detail by talking through a few true and false statements about them.

Fact: Some people are born with moles. These are known as congenital moles and roughly one in every one hundred babies are born with at least one according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD). Some congenital moles are larger in size (over 20 centimeters in diameter) and are more likely to become cancerous later in life.

Fiction: Any change in a mole over time is a sign that something is wrong. While we always tell our patients to be vigilant and let us know if they notice any changes to their moles, moles do naturally change over time and this is not necessarily an indication of skin cancer. Moles normally live for about 50 years and during this time, may shrink, become raised, lighten in color, or even disappear completely.

Fact: Once a mole is removed, it is gone for good. When we perform mole removal for our patients, a mole that is excised completely (surgically removed) will not have any risk of recurrence. However, moles that are only partially removed (in cases where only a portion is shaved off) can experience additional growth and changes over time. In these cases, we strongly recommend reaching out to your dermatologist or physician assistant in order to confirm that it is not cancerous.

Fiction: Skin cancer always begins as a mole. This is not the case. There are many different types of skin cancer, and only melanomas can begin their life-cycles as a mole. And even then, only about one in every 3 cases of melanoma originate as non-cancerous moles. So while it’s important to know your moles and keep tabs on any changes that may occur, there are other warning signs of skin cancer to look out for as well.

Since 1976, the experienced providers at Dermatology Associates of Atlanta have been examining moles and can help any patient who is concerned about any potential irregularities with their skin. For more information on moles, contact Dermatology Associates of Atlanta to schedule an appointment today. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more skin care tips and practice updates.