Most moles are completely harmless. In fact, the majority of the blemishes I see every week are benign and simply part of normal skin. But what matters most isn’t whether you have moles, it’s whether something has changed. When chatting to Dr Toby Nelson recently from Map My Mole, he stated that around 80% of cancerous moles are new ones that have developed, not an existing one, which I know from experience when talking to clients, they are mostly under the impression that melanoma can only develop in an existing mole.
In general, your skin is very good at staying consistent. So when something shifts, grows, darkens or behaves differently, that’s when it deserves a little attention, or of course, something new appears.
The questions I ask whilst carrying out a mole and blemish check are about change.
Has it grown recently?
Has the colour deepened or become uneven?
Has the shape altered slightly?
A mole that has looked the same for ten years is usually very different to one that has noticeably evolved over a few months. Change doesn’t automatically mean something serious, but it should be assessed properly. In addition, I am asking if this is new and how long it has been there.
The Ugly Duckling – Most of us have a pattern to our moles, meaning they tend to look similar in tone, size or shape, so if one is standing out, then that could be seen as the ugly duckling. Instinct is important here. Even if it’s subtle and doesn’t look like your other markings, it’s worth getting it reviewed.
When It’s New in Adulthood – It’s completely normal to develop moles as a child or teenager. However, if you’re over 30 and suddenly notice a brand-new pigmented lesion, particularly one that seems to be growing, I would always suggest checking it. Most new lesions are benign, but adulthood changes are taken more seriously than childhood ones.
When It Bleeds, Scabs or won’t heal – Skin is designed to repair itself. So if you have a blemish that repeatedly bleeds, crusts over, partially heals and then returns again, that’s not something to ignore. The same applies to a lesion that feels persistently itchy, tender or irritated without an obvious cause. Skin shouldn’t behave unpredictably without a reason.
What Happens During a Professional Mole & Blemish Check? When you come in for a blemish check at my clinic, we will first discuss your sun history and how your skin reacts to the sun. I will then ask you questions such as:
When did you first notice it?
Has it changed?
Has it ever bled or scabbed?
Using my links with Dermatology, I will photograph the mole/lesion, including a dermoscope photo to get a clear picture inside the blmeish, and send it off. A report is prepared and sent back to you and myself with 72 hours. Often, the outcome is reassurance: this blemish/mole is fine, etc. However, if it does come back for urgent action, you can take it to your GP and get an urgent referral.
Often, though, the outcome is reassurance — and that peace of mind is invaluable.
If you have noticed a new or changing blemish and would like a professional assessment, booking a mole and blemish check can provide clarity and guidance on the appropriate next steps.