Moles and spots are visible marks or growths on the skin that may be flat or raised and can vary in color, shape, size, and texture. A mole, also called a nevus, forms when pigment-producing cells called melanocytes grow in a cluster. The broader term “spots” can include freckles, sunspots, seborrheic keratoses, dermatofibromas, skin tags, cysts, warts, vascular growths, and skin cancers.
Most moles and spots are benign, but some concerning lesions can resemble harmless growths. A dermatologist can identify the type of lesion and determine whether it should be monitored, tested, or treated.
Types of Moles & Spots
Flesh colored
Pink to Red or Translucent
What are moles?
Moles and spots are visible marks or growths on the skin that may be flat or raised and can vary in color, shape, size, and texture. A mole, also called a nevus, forms when pigment-producing cells called melanocytes grow in a cluster. The broader term “spots” can include freckles, sunspots, seborrheic keratoses, dermatofibromas, skin tags, cysts, warts, vascular growths, and skin cancers.
Most moles and spots are benign, but some concerning lesions can resemble harmless growths. A dermatologist can identify the type of lesion and determine whether it should be monitored, tested, or treated.
Who is at risk for moles?
Moles are very common and the majority of people will have them. People with fair skin and light eyes tend to have more moles.
What Causes Moles & Spots?
Moles form when melanocytes grow together rather than remaining evenly distributed throughout the skin. Some are present at birth, while others develop during childhood, adolescence, or adulthood. Genetics, sun exposure, hormones, immune function, and natural aging can influence how many moles and other skin spots a person develops.
Common causes of moles and spots include:
- Genetics and family history, which influence the number, appearance, and pattern of moles and certain benign growths
- Ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds, which can contribute to freckles, sunspots, new moles, and abnormal skin-cell changes
- Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, or other life stages that can make moles more noticeable or contribute to certain growths
- Natural aging, which is associated with common benign growths such as seborrheic keratoses
- Minor skin injury, insect bites, irritation, or inflammation, which may contribute to firm spots such as dermatofibromas or leave lasting marks
- Viral infections, including human papillomavirus, which causes warts, and molluscum contagiosum virus
- Blocked follicles or trapped skin cells that form cysts
- Blood-vessel growths that create red or purple spots, such as cherry angiomas
- Immune suppression, which can increase the number of certain moles or growths and raise the risk of skin cancer
- DNA changes that cause precancerous lesions or skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma
A spot’s cause cannot always be determined by color alone. Flesh-colored, pink, red, translucent, brown, or black lesions can each have benign or concerning causes.
What are the complications of a mole?
Most benign moles and spots do not cause symptoms. They are often noticed because of their appearance or because they catch on clothing, become irritated, or occur in a visible area. Depending on the condition, a lesion may be smooth, rough, waxy, crusted, firm, soft, scaly, or wart-like.
Signs and symptoms can include:
- A flat or raised mark that is flesh-colored, pink, red, tan, brown, black, blue, gray, or translucent
- A smooth, rough, waxy, scaly, crusted, or “stuck-on” surface
- A firm bump, soft growth, blister-like spot, or lump beneath the skin
- Itching, tenderness, irritation, or inflammation
- Bleeding, crusting, oozing, or a sore that does not heal
- A new spot that looks different from the others on your skin
- A mole or spot that changes in size, shape, color, border, elevation, or texture
- A rapidly growing bump or nodule
The risk of melanoma is increased for people who have over 100 moles. Consider seeing a dermatologist annually for a skin exam.
When checking a mole for possible melanoma, remember the ABCDE warning signs:
- Asymmetry: One half does not match the other
- Border: The edges are irregular, notched, blurred, or poorly defined
- Color: The lesion contains multiple colors or develops a new color
- Diameter: The spot is larger than about 6 millimeters, although melanomas can be smaller
- Evolving: The mole changes in size, shape, color, elevation, sensation, or symptoms
Evolution is especially important. Any lesion that is new, changing, bleeding, painful, or noticeably different from your other spots should be examined.
Protect Yourself
- Wear a zinc sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day. You are exposed to the sun’s rays simply driving in your car and walking by windows at home or work. The best sunscreens have a physical sun block such as zinc oxide. This ingredient will protect you from both UVA (aging rays) and UVB (burning rays) radiation.
- Between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, try to stay under an umbrella or shade trees.
- Use waterproof sunscreen at the pool or beach. One adult should use 2 tablespoons of sunscreen. A family of 4 will go through 1½ 8 oz bottles of sunscreen in two days. Reapply every 1-2 hours, with swimming and/or excessive sweating.
- When you are outdoors, wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your scalp, face, and neck
- Wear protective clothing. You can purchase UV protective clothing at REI or L.L. Bean. If you can see through a shirt when you hold it up to the light, it will not protect your skin from the sun.
- Sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection will help prevent damage to your eyes.