24 September 2021 Author : José Campos Lopes Skin moles, or melanocytic nevi, are lesions that develop from skin cells , at different levels, which are responsible for the production of melanin (melanocytes). Almost everyone has moles. Number of moles varies greatly from person to person; Some moles are present at birth, others appear throughout life. Moles appearance varies : Usually they are dark, but the color is not always dark brown; They can be just small dots, some hardly visible without experience, or reach a large size; Many are rounded but they have very different shapes; They can be flat or protruding; Its consistency varies; They may have no hair, some hair, or almost covered by hair. Moles can occur anywhere on the skin and in most cases have no esthetic implications. There were even times when a mole on the chin in women was chic and those who did not had one, painted it; But not all moles are beautiful: they may be prominent, have dark hair, be located on the face or other visible areas of the body, and be very large. Life cycle of moles Moles have a recognized life cycle : They start out flat like a freckle, pink, or with various shades of brown; Over time, they grow and become more prominent, and hair appear; Sometimes they become lighter and can practically disappear. In adolescence and during pregnancy the mole can grow and darken. New signs may also appear. Sun exposure is directly related to the number of mole . Moles malignant potential Some moles are more likely to become malignant, giving rise to melanoma . Darker moles with different colors and irregular, ill-defined borders, as well as large congenital moles, are more likely to become malignant. The number of moles and sun exposure favor its malignant transformation. The ABCDE rule Regular self-observation of the skin and periodic follow-up by a dermatologist are essential to monitor moles, especially in people with of it and with a personal or family history of melanoma, who should be more attentive. The signs of a mole that may be associated with malignancy are known by the ABCDE rule: A for asymmetry : non-symmetrical signal with irregular shape; B for border : irregular and ill-defined borders; C for color : different colors or shades in the same mole; D for diameter : greater than 4 mm; E for evolution : alteration of a mole. In view of any of these characteristics, the advice of a dermatologist should be sought. Moles treatment When there is doubt or suspicion of a mole malignancy , it is essential to remove it for examination by pathological anatomy. However, in most cases moles are benign. Thus, when they are removed, it is for esthetic or functional reasons . Removing these moles is a simple procedure, performed by dermatologists in treatment rooms usually next to their consultation rooms. Local anesthesia is used and removal is done by laser, shaving or conventional surgery, with excellent cosmetic results. Other types of skin blemishes Other dark spots that are not moles may appear on the skin. Freckles or ephelides are very common dark spots on exposed areas of the skin. They are more common in lighter phototypes, and fade in winter. These are not moles. After the fourth decade of life, dark spots on the skin that are not moles also appear. These are seborrheic keratoses have a variable brown hue, are prominent, wrinkled when touched, and grow progressively. It is just an esthetic issue, with no evolution to malignity. Other brownish-gray patches are solar lentigines . They appear more frequently in areas exposed to the sun, such as the face and forehead, the back of the hands, the forearms, the head in baldness. Seborrheic keratoses and solar lentigines are known as age spots . They are benign and are easily diagnosed by a dermatologist. Meet the dermatology team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
