Moles

Moles

There are parts of skin cells within the skin called melanocytes. The melanocytes normally produce pigment and are evenly spread throughout the skin. They are stimulated by the sun light to grow and expand. Sometimes they grow together in clumps surrounded by normal skin. This clump of melanocytes is called a mole.

A person can be born with moles; these are called congenital moles. Most of the time, we develop moles throughout childhood and early adulthood which can be distributed anywhere over the body. Moles can develop later in life or as a result of sun exposure. The average person has about 10 to 50 moles. An ordinary mole can rarely turn into an aggressive type of skin cancer called melanoma. Dysplastic moles can have irregular edges, are usually hairless, have a poorly defined border with the skin pigmented or shaped, or appear larger than a pencil eraser. Dysplastic moles need to be biopsied and usually removed. In young people ages 25 to 30, melanoma can become a comparatively more common form of cancer; this needs to be kept in mind. These melanomas are most often found on the sun exposed skin of the, back, face, and lower legs.

It is a good idea to know your moles well. Examine them periodically, perhaps in a mirror, and look for any change in their shape, size, regularity of their edges, or variations in pigmentation. Congenital moles are slightly more apt to undergo dysplastic changes; the same is true of a person who has more than about 100 moles.

A doctor can provide a number of services concerning moles. Moles may be viewed diagnostically and medically. Your doctor should always be not only genuinely concerned medically with the mole but with the final results aesthetically as well. We use optical equipment to magnify the mole to look for suspicious changes. Photography is available to record and document the size and character of a mole. A physician may recommend a simple in-office biopsy procedure so that microscopic evaluation can be done (this does not increase the chances of the mole spreading). Otherwise, if the mole is suspicious, if it is chronically irritated, or if it simply seems unsightly to you, it can be removed by a number of techniques. It can be removed by a scalpel under a local anesthetic. It can be removed by a laser, or it can be removed by electrocautery. Sometimes it can be frozen with a cold probe or liquid nitrogen. The choice often is dictated by the mole type, risk, your skin type, and the procedure which works the best. We are an aesthetic center and little or no scars results are very important to us.

Again, the great majority of moles are normal and not a problem. They should simply be noted and periodically checked. Your doctor can work with you to assure the safety and wellbeing of moles, your skin in general, and the safety of your health. Remember that over-exposure to the sun seems to be the biggest cause of melanoma formation. Always use sun block. This is not a joke, but a serious matter with regards to your skin aging and decrease of skin cancer. This is very important for both men as well as women.

Because they are pigmented, melanocytes absorb more of the sun’s harmful UV radiation. Use sunscreens over SPF 15, wear protective hats, clothing, and avoid sunburn. This is especially important in young children. If a person has three severe sunburns in childhood, their chances of melanoma are greatly increased. When thinking of moles and melanoma, remember: Prevention is the ticket to a cure.

John Drew Laurusonis, MD
Doctors Medical Center