A mole on your skin is also known as a nevus, or a beauty mark. It is very common to have moles and most are harmless. They’re not contagious and they shouldn’t hurt, itch, or bleed. A mole can last as long as 50 years. See your regular healthcare provider or dermatologist if you suspect that a mole is abnormal.
Your skin is the largest organ in your body. Skin moles (a “nevus” or “nevi” are the medical terms) are growths on your skin that range in color from your natural skin tone to brown or black. Moles can appear anywhere on your skin or mucous membranes, alone or in groups.
Most skin moles appear in early childhood and during the first 20 years of life. It is normal for a person to have between 10 to 40 moles by adulthood.
The life cycle of an average mole is about 50 years. As the years pass, moles usually change slowly, becoming raised and lighter in color. Often, hairs develop on the mole. Some moles will not change at all and some will slowly disappear over time.
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Moles are very common. Most people have about 10 to 40 of them.
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Most moles grow on parts of your body that get sunlight (ultraviolet radiation). You might see that you get more moles the longer you’re in the sun.
No, moles are not contagious.
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If your skin moles are tender or painful, you need to see a dermatologist.
If your skin moles itch, you need to see a dermatologist.
You need to see a dermatologist if your moles bleed.
A "pigmented lesion" is a general term that includes normal moles, sun freckles or age spots (lentigines). While most pigmented lesions will not become cancerous, if you have many lesions or unusual lesions you should see a dermatologist on a regular basis for a full skin examination. Regular monitoring allows the dermatologist to identify changes in lesions that look "suspicious." A change may prompt a skin biopsy (removing a sample of the mole for detailed examination under a microscope), which can help determine whether a lesion is non-cancerous (benign), melanoma or another type of skin cancer.
Always be cautious if you’re over age 30 and you find a new mole. It’s likely harmless, but you should still see your healthcare provider.
Moles occur when cells in your skin grow in a cluster instead of being spread throughout the skin. Most moles are made of cells called melanocytes, which make the pigment that gives your skin its natural color.
Excessive sunlight.
Moles may get darker after sun exposure, during pregnancy and during puberty. During pregnancy, moles often change evenly due to hormonal effects. For example, they may darken or become larger. However, if a mole changes in an irregular or uneven manner, have it evaluated by a dermatologist.
The skin is the largest organ in the human body and one of the few organs you can see. Being proactive about preventing skin cancer is important for your health. This is especially true if:
In addition to limiting your exposure to sunlight and using sunscreen every day, examining your moles increases the chances of early detection and treatment of melanoma and other types of skin cancers.
Dermatologists (physicians who are skin experts) recommend that you examine your skin every month. Most moles are benign (non-cancerous). If you notice changes in a mole's color or appearance, have your mole evaluated by a dermatologist. You also should have moles checked if they bleed, ooze, itch, appear scaly, or become tender or painful.
Most skin moles are benign (non-cancerous). The moles that are of medical concern are those that look different than other existing moles on your body (referred to as the “ugly duckling sign”) or those that appear on your skin after age 30. If you notice changes in any mole's color, thickness, size, or shape, you should see a dermatologist. You also should have your moles checked if they bleed, ooze, itch, scale, or become tender or painful.
Examine your skin with a mirror or ask someone to help you. Pay special attention to areas of your skin that are often exposed to the sun, such as your face, hands, legs (especially in females), arms, chest and back (especially in men).
The ABCDEs are important signs of moles that could be cancerous. If a mole displays any of the signs listed below, have it checked immediately by a dermatologist:
The most common location for melanoma in men is the back; in women, it is the lower leg. Melanoma is the most common cancer in women ages 25 to 29.
Normal (benign) skin moles do not need to be removed (doing so will leave a scar).
If your dermatologist determines that the mole is a concern, he or she will perform a skin biopsy, in which a small sample of the mole is taken to examine under a microscope. A diagnosis can usually be made in less than a week. If the mole is found to be cancerous, it needs to be completely removed.
If you are concerned that a mole is changing or if you see worrisome signs, please contact your dermatologist to have the mole examined.
Your usual healthcare provider might refer you to a dermatologist, a healthcare provider who specializes in skin.
A normal skin mole does not need to be removed. If you choose to have it removed, you’ll likely be left with a scar.
Don’t try to remove a mole by yourself, even if you’re using some sort of over-the-counter product that burns, freezes, or uses lasers to remove skin growths like skin tags, moles and freckles. Not only could you get an infection, but you could unknowingly remove melanoma (skin cancer). Skin cancer can spread to other organs if it’s not caught early, and one way to catch it is to identify an abnormal mole.
Healthcare providers recommend that you do not use any at-home treatments on your moles. If you have a concern, talk to a dermatologist.
Moles are natural skin growths that can’t be prevented. However, you can be proactive about preventing skin cancer (or catching it early) by:
Being proactive about preventing skin cancer is important for your health. This is especially true if:
In addition to limiting your exposure to sunlight and using sunscreen every day, examining your moles increases the chances of early detection and treatment of melanoma and other types of skin cancers.
Dermatologists recommend that you examine your skin every month. Most moles are benign (non-cancerous). If you notice changes in a mole's color or appearance, have your mole evaluated by a dermatologist. You also should have moles checked if they bleed, ooze, itch, appear scaly, or become tender or painful.
You should always be suspicious of a new mole that develops after the age of 30. Many of the growths that appear after age 30 are harmless age-associated growths rather than moles; however, if you do notice a new growth, you should see your dermatologist. He or she will examine the growth and perform a skin biopsy, if indicated.
Moles can develop in any cutaneous (skin) or mucosal (mouth, eyes, genitals) surfaces. If you have had melanoma (or have a strong family history of melanoma), in addition to routine exams by a dermatologist, you should have annual check-ups with a dentist, ophthalmologist (eye doctor) and a gynecologist to look for moles in these special locations.
The most significant complication is that some moles can turn into melanoma.
Moles can last up to 50 years.
Yes. 50 years is about the maximum time for a mole.
You don’t need to treat your moles any differently than the rest of your skin, except for examining them at least once a month.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Most people get moles. They’re common, normal. Moles are almost always harmless. Just keep an eye out for any irregularity by checking or having someone you trust check for you once a month. Remember, if a mole displays any of the signs listed below, have it checked immediately:
Don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare provider if you have concerns!
Last reviewed on 02/02/2021.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy