What Are Moles, Freckles, Skin Tags?

There are a number of skin lesions that are both common and harmless (non-cancerous). Moles, freckles, skin tags, benign lentigines, and seborrheic keratoses are examples of these conditions.

What Are Moles?

Moles are pigmented skin growths that are typically brown or black in color. Moles can appear anywhere on the body, alone or in clusters. The majority of moles appear in early childhood and during the first 25 years of a person’s life. By adulthood, it is normal to have between 10 and 40 moles. Moles typically change slowly over time, becoming raised and/or changing color. Hairs can grow in the mole at times. Some moles may not change at all, while others may gradually fade away. The vast majority of moles do not pose a threat. Moles that differ from other existing moles or that appear after the age of 25 are more likely to be cancerous. If you notice changes in the color, height, size, or shape of a mole, you should have it evaluated by a dermatologist (skin doctor). Moles should also be examined if they bleed, ooze, itch, or become tender or painful.

What Causes Moles?

Moles form when skin cells grow in clusters rather than spreading evenly throughout the skin. These cells, known as melanocytes, produce the pigment that gives skin its natural color. Moles can darken after sun exposure, during adolescence, and during pregnancy.

Types of Moles

Congenital Nevi

Congenital nevi are moles that exist from birth. Congenital nevi affects about one in every 100 people. These moles have a slightly higher risk of developing into melanoma (cancer) than moles that appear after birth. A mole or freckle should be examined if it is larger than the diameter of a pencil eraser or exhibits any of the ABCDEs of melanoma.

Dysplastic Nevi

Dysplastic nevi are irregularly shaped moles that are larger than average (larger than a pencil eraser). They have an uneven color pattern, with dark brown centers and lighter, uneven edges. These nevi are slightly more likely to develop into melanoma. People who have 10 or more dysplastic nevi are 12 times more likely to develop melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. Any changes in a mole should be evaluated by a dermatologist in order to rule out skin cancer.

How to Know if a Mole Is Cancerous

Examine your skin with a mirror or enlist the assistance of another person. Sun-exposed parts of the skin, such as the hands, arms, chest, neck, face, ears, legs, and back, should be given special attention. There is little reason to be concerned if a mole does not change over time. If you notice any changes in an existing mole, if you have a new mole, or if you want a mole removed for cosmetic reasons, ensure to contact a dermatologist.

When examining moles, the ABCDEs listed below should be taken into account. If a mole exhibits any of the symptoms listed below, consult a dermatologist right away. It’s possible that it’s cancerous.

• Asymmetry: The mole’s two halves are not identical
• Border: The mole’s border or edges are ragged, blurred, or irregular
• Color: The color of the mole varies or has shades of tan, brown, black, blue, white, or red
• Diameter: A mole’s diameter is greater than that of a pencil eraser
• Evolution: The mole’s size, shape, or color is changing

How to Treat Moles

The majority of moles do not necessitate treatment. A dermatologist will remove a mole if it is any of the following:

• Inconvenient (rubs against clothing, etc.)
• Unappealing to a patient
• Cancerous

A dermatologist can remove a mole with one of the following procedures:

Surgical Excision

The dermatologist removes the entire mole and, if necessary, stitches the skin closed. A specially trained doctor will also examine your mole under a microscope. This is carried out in order to detect cancer cells.

Surgical Shave

Here, the dermatologist removes the mole with a surgical blade.

Skin Tags

A skin tag is a small flap of tissue that hangs from the skin via a stalk. Skin tags are not harmful. They are most commonly found on the neck, chest, back, armpits, under the breasts, or in the groin. Skin tags are most common in women, especially those with weight gain, and the elderly. Skin tags are usually not painful. They can however become irritated if anything rubs against them, such as clothing, jewelry, or skin.

What Causes Skin Tags?

It is unclear what causes skin tags, but it is possible that they form when clusters of collagen and blood vessels become trapped inside thicker pieces of skin. Because they are more common in skin creases or folds, they can also be caused primarily by skin rubbing against skin. Some people appear to be genetically prone to skin tags.
Skin tags affect both men and women, but they are more common in pregnant women, obese people, and people with diabetes. They have also been linked to hyperinsulinemia, a condition in which there is too much insulin in the blood.

How to Treat Skin Tags

Your dermatologist can remove a skin tag with a knife or scissors, cryosurgery (freezing it off), or electrosurgery (burning it off with an electric current).

What Are Freckles?

Freckles are small brown spots that are commonly found on the face, neck, chest, and arms. Freckles are extremely common and pose no health risks. They are more common in the summer, especially among people with lighter skin and light or red hair.

Causes of Freckles

Freckles are caused by a combination of genetics and sun exposure. There is no need to treat freckles because they are usually always harmless. It’s best to stay out of the sun as much as possible or wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30. This is particularly important because people who freckle easily (for example, those with lighter skin) are more likely to develop skin cancer. If your freckles are bothering you or you don’t like how they appear, you can conceal them with cosmetics or choose laser treatment, liquid nitrogen treatment, or chemical peels.

Lentigo

A lentigo, commonly known as a liver spot, is a dark patch on the skin that differs from the surrounding skin in color (typically brown). White people, especially those with fair skin, are more likely to develop lentigines.

Types of Lentigo

Lentigines come in a variety of shapes and sizes. These classifications are based on the cause and location of the symptoms in your body.

Lentigo Simplex

This is the most common type. The spots show up on your arms, legs, and trunk. Lentigo simplex is a common condition that begins at birth or during childhood. The spots may fade with time.

Sola Lentigo

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun causes solar lentigo. This type is more common in people over the age of 40, but it can also affect younger people. It occurs when UV radiation causes melanocytes, which are pigmented cells in the skin, to multiply. Solar lentigo manifests itself on sun-exposed body parts such as the face, hands, shoulders, and arms.

Ink Spot Lentigo

In people with lighter-pigmented skin, ink spot lentigo appears after a sunburn.

PUVA Lentigo

Psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy, which is used to treat conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, causes PUVA lentigo.

Causes of Lentigo

The sun appears to be the primary cause of lentigines. Lentigines are particularly common on sun-exposed areas of the body, such as the face and hands. Genetics (family history) or medical procedures such as radiation therapy can also generate lentigines.

How to Treat Lentigo

Lentigines can be treated in a variety of ways:

• Cryosurgery (freezing it off)
• Laser surgery
• Skin creams (Retinoids and bleaching agents)

Seborrheic Keratoses

Seborrheic keratoses are brown or black growths that commonly appear on the chest, back, and head. Keratinocytes are the cells that give rise to them. Seborrheic keratoses develop a warty appearance as they grow. Normally, they do not result in skin cancer. Seborrheic keratoses have no known cause. They become more common as people get older.

How to Treat Seborrheic Keratoses

Seborrheic keratoses are not contagious and are completely harmless; as a result, they do not require treatment. If you decide to have seborrheic keratoses removed because you don’t like the way they look or because they are chronically irritated by clothing, methods for removal include cutting them off, cryosurgery, and electrosurgery.

Now that you Know…

Moles, freckles, skin tags, lentigo, and seborrheic keratoses are examples of common skin lesions that are typically harmless. They are perfectly normal, however, keep an eye out for other irregularities by checking or having a specialist check them at least once a month.