Question: Are raised moles cause for alarm?
Answer: With the incidence of skin cancer growing, it isn’t surprising that you might be concerned about changes to your skin including flat or raised moles.
Moles are very common and are simply growths on the skin. Most occur within the first two decades of life and they may appear as either flat moles or raised moles. Melanocytes (pigment producing cells) are responsible for a mole’s dark coloring. They tend to be safe, with few developing into cancer.
Whether you have a flat or raised mole, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on them. While most are benign (safe), there is the potential for them to develop into skin cancer. Moles that are extremely large (bigger than a half an inch in circumference) or those that start growing quickly or changing color may be cause for concern. Our article regarding the ABCs of Mole Detection and Skin Cancer provides some guidance on what to look out for.
Like the rest of your skin, both flat and raised moles benefit from sun protection – the ultraviolet rays in sunlight can cause them to darken. Whether or not you have moles, choose and use a well-formulated UVA and UVB blocking sunscreen and use it daily year-round. We offer a wide selection including Anthelios sunscreens.
