Check Your Skin: What Moles and Spots Could Be Telling You

Your skin is your body’s largest organ—and sometimes, it speaks volumes without saying a word. From freckles and sunspots to raised moles or new patches, changes in your skin can be more than cosmetic quirks. They could be subtle signs of what's happening beneath the surface, including early warnings of serious health issues.

So, what should you be looking for when you “check your skin”?

Let’s break down what common moles, spots, and blemishes might really mean—and when it's time to call a dermatologist.

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🧬 Understanding Moles: Normal vs. Concerning

Moles (also called nevi) are extremely common. Most adults have between 10 and 40 moles on their bodies. These are typically harmless and appear as small, round, brown or black spots caused by clusters of pigmented cells.

✅ Normal Moles:

• Symmetrical in shape

• Have smooth, even borders

• Are one consistent color (usually brown or black)

• Smaller than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser)

• Don’t change much over time

⚠️ When to Be Concerned:

A mole might warrant a closer look—or a trip to the dermatologist—if it shows signs of the ABCDE Rule:

• A – Asymmetry: One half doesn’t match the other

• B – Border: Irregular, jagged, or blurred edges

• C – Color: Multiple shades (brown, red, black, blue, white)

• D – Diameter: Larger than 6 mm (though smaller ones can still be dangerous)

• E – Evolving: Changes in shape, color, size, or texture

If a mole itches, bleeds, or crusts, take it seriously—those can be signs of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

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🌞 Sunspots, Freckles, and Age Spots: What They Really Mean

☀️ Sunspots (also called solar lentigines or liver spots):

• Flat, brown or black patches

• Usually appear on sun-exposed areas (face, hands, shoulders)

• Caused by UV exposure over time

• Usually harmless, but frequent sunspot formation is a sign of skin damage

🌟 Freckles:

• Small, flat, tan or light brown spots

• Usually genetic and more common in fair-skinned individuals

• Darken with sun exposure, fade in the winter

• Not dangerous on their own

Warning: If a freckle grows, changes color, or feels different than your others, don’t ignore it.

👵 Age Spots:

• Common in people over 50

• Caused by cumulative sun exposure, not aging alone

• While usually benign, they can resemble early melanomas—so have them checked if they change in any way

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🔍 Red or Raised Spots: More Than Skin Deep?

Not all skin spots are brown or black. Some may be red, pink, or raised. Here’s what they could mean:

❗ Cherry Angiomas:

• Bright red, small, and round

• Caused by overgrowth of blood vessels

• Typically benign and common with age

• Only a concern if they bleed or change suddenly

⚠️ Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC):

• A shiny bump, open sore, or scar-like area

• May bleed easily or not heal

• Caused by chronic sun exposure

• Most common type of skin cancer, but slow-growing and treatable

⚠️ Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC):

• A firm, red bump or scaly patch

• May crust or bleed

• More aggressive than BCC and can spread if left untreated

Reminder: Skin cancer isn’t always “ugly.” Sometimes the most dangerous spots look deceptively normal.

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📆 How Often Should You Check Your Skin?

Dermatologists recommend a monthly skin self-check and a yearly professional exam, especially if you:

• Have fair skin

• Have a history of sunburns or tanning bed use

• Have a family or personal history of skin cancer

• Have more than 50 moles

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👀 How to Do a Skin Self-Exam

1. Stand in good lighting with a full-length mirror

2. Use a hand mirror for hard-to-see places (back, scalp, underarms)

3. Check your entire body, including:

   • Scalp and behind ears

   • Under breasts and between toes

   • Soles of feet and fingernail beds

4. Track any new spots or changes with photos or a skin check app

Pro tip: Ask a partner to help with hard-to-reach areas.

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🩺 When to See a Dermatologist

See a skin specialist as soon as possible if you notice:

• Any mole or spot that changes

• New growths that look unusual

• Wounds that won’t heal

• Persistent itching, pain, or bleeding in a specific area

Early detection is the #1 factor in successfully treating skin cancer. A 10-minute check could save your life.

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💡 Final Thoughts: Your Skin Knows—Are You Listening?

We check our phones a dozen times a day. But when’s the last time you checked your skin?

That small mole, that tiny spot—it might be nothing. Or it might be everything. Take the time to look. Be aware. And if something feels “off,” trust your gut and get it checked.

Your skin tells your story. Make sure it’s one with a healthy ending.