Moles are extremely common among virtually all people, especially those with fair skin. A mole is a raised spot on the skin that is generally darker than the surrounding skin. It might also be called a beauty mark.

A mole is nothing to be concerned about but they should be monitored as changes may indicate a certain type of skin cancer. Changes in the size, shape, or color of a mole or the formation of a new mole sometimes indicate the presence of melanoma, a potentially fatal form of skin cancer. Melanoma is curable if caught early. Therefore, people should check their skin once a month for any changes.

Moles in children are not unusual and they may grow or change color as a child grows. This is not usually an indication of skin cancer. Some may even disappear in adolescence.

People with a high number of moles with some larger than 1.5 mm are at an increased risk of melanoma. People with fair skin are more likely to have many moles and they are more sensitive to sun exposure. Regular mole checks are necessary on people with these risk factors.

A mole can appear individually anywhere on the body, except the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, or they may appear in clusters on areas of the body frequently exposed to the sun. Moles, in the absence of skin cancer, are not harmful or medically significant. Some people may wish to have them removed for cosmetic reasons. A dermatologist might also remove a mole if it looks suspicious to have it biopsied.

A mole can be removed by excision and the skin closed with stitches. It can also be removed by excision and cauterized to stop any bleeding. With either method, a scar is possible. If a mole is deemed to be cancerous, it may be removed by Mohs surgery to ensure complete removal of the cancerous tissue.