Moles Specialist

Dermatology Arts

Medical, Surgical and Cosmetic Dermatology serving the areas of South Pasadena, Arcadia, San Marino, La Canada - Flintridge, and Los Angeles, CA

Moles are common skin growths, and most often they’re harmless. However, when your moles change shape or color, or you develop a new mole, these may be signs of melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer. If you have concerns about your moles, the team at Dermatology Arts can examine your moles and provide the appropriate care. Call the office in South Pasadena or Arcadia, California, or schedule an appointment online today.

Moles Q & A

What are moles?

Moles, also known as nevi, are harmless skin growths. They may appear as skin-colored or brown-colored growths. They can appear anywhere on your body and grow singly or in groups.

Most moles develop during childhood up through the early adult years. It’s not unusual to have 10-40 moles.

Moles may lighten or darken over time. These are considered normal changes.

What are the types of moles?

Most of the moles you see are common moles, but there are other types. Types of moles include:

Common moles

Common moles are harmless moles that develop during childhood and adulthood. They may be pink, brown, black, or tan and have a distinct edge.

Congenital moles

Congenital moles are moles that are present at birth. One out of every 100 babies have congenital moles. These moles may be small or large. Children with larger congenital moles may be at greater risk of developing melanoma.

Atypical moles

Atypical moles, also known as dysplastic nevi, are large, irregularly shaped moles with uneven coloring and uneven edging. These types of moles tend to be inherited, but may place you at greater risk of developing melanoma.

Spitz mole

A Spitz mole appears as a red or pink dome-shaped growth.

When should I be concerned about moles?

The Dermatology Arts team recommends you check your skin monthly and monitor your moles, looking for changes. Most moles are benign, but you should schedule an appointment with the skin care experts if you have a mole with the following characteristics:

Asymmetrical
Borders with ragged edges
Color that isn’t the same throughout
Diameter larger than a pencil eraser
Elevated mole
Evolving mole (changing over time)

Any new mole that develops after age 30 should also be evaluated by the team at Dermatology Arts.

How are moles treated?

When you visit Dermatology Arts with concerns about a mole, your dermatologist conducts a thorough skin exam. They closely examine your moles, including any moles of concern, and remove the ones that appear abnormal.

The team sends the mole tissue to the lab for analysis to confirm or rule out melanoma.

Most moles require no treatment. However, checking your skin and coming in when you have concerns about abnormal skin growths may save your life.

To schedule an evaluation for your moles at Dermatology Arts, call the office or use the online booking button today.

What we offer