10 questions to a dermatologist about moles: why do new ones appear and can they disappear on their own?

Up to a certain point we don’t notice our moles and they don’t worry us. To prolong this situation as long as possible, we asked the dermatologist to answer ten important questions.

Karina Dadasheva, dermatologist at DocDeti and DocMed clinics

What determines the number of moles on the body?

Moles (doctors often call them nevi) are innate and acquired. So some of them are genetically ingrained in us, but there are also those that appear on the skin throughout life. Often their number depends on hereditary predisposition and environmental factors (eg, duration of sun exposure).

Up to what age do they appear?

Most often, moles begin to appear after the first six months of life. Their numbers increase gradually during childhood and adolescence and reach their peak in the third decade of life. After 40 years, moles may disappear and new ones may no longer appear. Instead, the number of benign formations (seborrheic keratomas, papillomas) on the skin increases in the 4th and 5th decades, which we often confuse with moles.

What causes new ones?

Factors associated with the development of moles include:

– hereditary predisposition to a large number of moles, with a family tendency;

– The duration of sun exposure during childhood. Particularly active exposure to the sun is the main factor contributing to the appearance of new moles and an increased risk of skin cancer (melanoma, basalioma). Therefore, it is very important to protect the child (not just him) from ultraviolet rays and use protective creams.

Do moles need to be taken?

Moles are removed in several cases.

– Aesthetically. For example, to you a mole is large and convex or interferes with daily life. Before removal, a dermatologist will examine it with a special device (dermatoscope) to determine the nature of the process. If the formation is benign, it is removed.

– Medically. For example, when a mole raises doubts from a dermatologist about its quality. It is then removed with histology to determine whether it is malignant. In such cases, the dermatologist directs the patient to an oncologist to remove the mole with a scalpel.

Is it possible to identify “dangerous” moles on your own?

The best way to find out if a mole is benign is to consult a dermatologist who specializes in dermatoscopy. But there are several signs that indicate that you should make an appointment with a specialist: the mole is asymmetrical, has an uneven edge, grows rapidly and is not like other formations on the body.

Can I remove a mole on my own?

Number. Self-removal of moles is dangerous to health. First, you can seriously injure it, then there will be inflammation and infection. Second, you cannot determine on your own what exactly you are deleting. It could be a life-threatening malignant tumor, not me. Therefore, you should always contact a specialist for examination and removal of neoplasms.

What is the safest removal method?

How to remove the mole and any formation on the skin is determined by the doctor. If the neoplasm is suspicious, it is surgically removed by histology using a scalpel. If the mole is benign and disrupts the aesthetic point of view, it is usually removed by the radio wave method. However, in large nevi, the doctor may also recommend a surgical route.

How often do you need to be examined by a doctor?

Scheduled follow-up with a dermatologist should be done at least once a year. However, if the doctor says so, it may be needed more often.

Are people with an increased number of moles at risk of skin cancer?

A large number of moles can indeed increase the risk of skin cancer. However, the risk of skin cancer increases in patients with more than one atypical mole; light phototype, which burns easily in the sun; with attacks of sunburn, especially in childhood and adolescence; taking drugs that suppress the immune system; with a genetic predisposition to skin cancer; frequent visits to the solarium and being in the sun.

What precautions should be taken?

To reduce your risk of skin cancer, it is important to protect yourself from the sun at all times: use SPF, wear a hat and sunglasses, avoid being in the sun, especially during active hours, and avoid using tanning beds.