Is That New Mole Cause for Concern? When to Visit Your Dermatologist

Many people are born with moles, while others develop them later. New moles usually emerge in children and adolescents, but adults can also get them from sun exposure, hormonal changes, and the aging process.

Usually, new moles are benign, but they’re more likely to develop into skin cancer compared to moles you’ve had since childhood. Dermatologists Jeffrey Petersen, MD, FAAD, and Shivani Tripathi, MD, FAAD, of Missouri Dermatology Laser & Vein Center in Fenton, Chesterfield, and O’Fallon, Missouri, explain when you should get your new mole checked out by a dermatologist. 

When a new mole is concerning

You can keep track of your moles and note when any new ones emerge by checking your skin every month. Small, new moles that appear even, round, and consistent in color don’t necessarily need immediate medical attention.

However, you should keep track of these new moles during your self-exams and note any changes or features that are problematic. You can remind yourself of these potential mole concerns by using the acronym ABCDE (asymmetry, border, color, diameter, and evolution).

Schedule a professional exam with our team if the new mole is:

Large

Moles that are more than 6mm long are more likely to be cancerous. You can remember this length by, as a general guideline, flagging any moles bigger than a pencil eraser.

Irregular

Non-cancerous moles are usually circular and smooth in appearance. Any irregularities or bumps within the mole mean the mole should be checked out.

Asymmetrical

Borders on a mole that are irregular or blurry are a cause for potential concern. Benign moles more often have a clear border.

Unusual in color

Moles are typically a shade of brown, black, or pink. You should get a mole looked at that is multiple colors or has an atypical uniform color.

Changing in appearance

Any mole that has recently started to look different needs to be medically evaluated. Moles that change from their previous appearance have a much higher risk of being cancerous.

Getting a professional mole check

If you’re concerned about a new mole or an old mole with features of cancer, the first step is to have our team evaluate it.

If we feel the mole is suspicious, we perform a biopsy to remove a few tissue cells. We get those cells tested to determine if the mole is cancerous.

Our team removes moles that are cancerous. We can also move non-cancerous moles that are uncomfortable or aesthetically displeasing to you. Depending on the mole, we either shave it off or surgically remove it.

Both procedures are in-office outpatient surgeries. For a surgical removal, you get stitches that we later remove. Both procedures leave a small scar.

If there are cancerous cells that haven’t spread beyond the mole, the cancer gets removed completely with a mole removal. We strongly recommend regular skin checks and early detection and treatment to prevent skin cancer from spreading.

If you have a new mole that looks concerning or an old mole that’s changed, our team can assess and treat it quickly. Contact us to schedule a skin check.