Top Tips for Moles: What to be Aware of and When to Take Action

Most people will have at least a few moles on their body, but what should you be looking for when checking a suspicious mole? And when should you consult a dermatologist?

Dr Dev Shah, Consultant Dermatologist and Skin Surgeon at Welbeck Dermatology, takes us through his top tips.

What exactly am I looking for?

When looking at any mole or lesion on your body, you should look to see whether it's symmetrical, has a uniform colour and border, and if it's changed dramatically over the course of a few months. Most marks on our skin are usually uniform and symmetrical. However, some people do have asymmetrical moles, but they have several of the same type of moles, i.e. are asymmetrical in the same way.

If you have a solitary mole or lesion on your skin that stands out from the crowd, check if it is:

A – asymmetrical – if you divided the lesions into 4 quadrants and the 4 quadrants are different from each other, you should get the area checked.

B – borders – the borders of the mole should be regular, and you should be able to draw a definite line around the edge. The line should be smooth and not scalloped. If borders fade out into the skin, you should get the area checked.

C – colour – most lesions have one or two colours of different shades. Brown is the most common example, however, some lesions can have a tinge of blue, grey, or black. If you see these colours, you should seek medical advice.

D - diameter – lesions that are greater than 7mm in diameter are usually considered high-risk. This is true if you have solitary lesions above 7mm, but if you have many moles that are all large, then it's quite difficult to monitor based on size alone. On another note, if you have lots of small moles and then one solitary 5mm lesion, this also needs to be examined, as this stands out from your normal type of mole.

E - evolution – how a mole changes over time is important. You can only be accurate with how that mole is evolving if you are monitoring them closely, and the best way to do this is with photographs.

To summarise, when it comes to a mole that you are not sure about, if in doubt, check it out.

How often should I check my moles?

At Welbeck Dermatology, we recommend checking moles 2 to 3 times a year and comparing them to a set of baseline photographs.

Our specialists offer manual mole checkappointments, and we're also the only centre in the UK to offer 360-degree mole mapping (which takes a 3D photo of your entire body and uses AI to analyse moles and skin lesions) with the state-of-the-art VECTRA WB360 Whole Body 3 Dimensional Imaging system.

Reach out to our team to book an appointment at a time that suits you.

Protecting your skin

Research has shown that using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 usually only gives you around an SPF of 10 to 15, as people rarely apply it to the thickness required. Therefore, we always recommend an SPF of 50 and assume you will only actually use an SPF of 20.

You should always use a high SPF with a 5-star UVA rating, which can also be represented on packaging by having UVA within a circle or the words ‘broad spectrum’. The key to sunscreen is not the type of sunscreen that you have, but rather the way you use it. Apply it frequently – hourly when in direct sunlight, and every half-hour when swimming or sweating – to make sure you're always protected.

When should I see a specialist about a mole or lesion?

If you are worried about a mole that has become symptomatic (itching, bleeding, or painful), you should make an appointment with a dermatologist. Equally, if you feel that a mole is changing according to the ABCDE criteria mentioned earlier, it's important to see a specialist

If you're over the age of 20 and have a new mole or lesion that does not go away within a month, you should get this checked. Remember that not everything dark or pigmented on your body is skin cancer. Non-melanoma skin cancer is very important and is often simply a pinkish or scaly lesion that is new and often doesn’t have any symptoms, such as itching or bleeding.

Final tips

Remember: it's your skin and your body, and you're the best person to see and know what's on your body and how it is changing. But if you don't look, you won't know. If you don't record, you may not remember.

Close monitoring of your skin is just as important as a regular breast examination for females and a regular testicular examination for men.

At Welbeck Dermatology, we offer a full 360-degree mole mapping and a manual mole check service performed by our expert dermatologists.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch to find out more, or book an appointment today - same-day and next-day appointments are often available.