Moles are small growths on the skin that may appear and grow over a long period of time. They may be darker or lighter than the surrounding skin and some may even have hair(s) protruding from the centre.
Moles are benign. The often are static in size or they may grow slowly. Typically they are round in appearance with a sharp border and are usually quite smooth.
However, some skin lumps and bumps are mistaken for moles when they are actually much more serious.
If your ‘mole’ exhibits any of the following then you should have it examined by a doctor as soon as possible:
Rapid increase in size
Irregular borders
Dark pigmentation
Bleeding
If your mole does not exhibit these signs then it is much more likely to be benign.
What do moles look like? Moles can have a myriad of appearances and the pictures below will list some common appearances:
Once we assess a mole we may decide to remove it via simple surgery. However if a mole appears very aggressive or suspicious in nature we may refer to a dermatologist for urgent review.