When to Worry About a Darkening Mole

The complimentary term for a mole is “beauty mark,” and Marilyn Monroe had a famous one on her lower left cheek, between her nose and mouth. It became one of her trademarks.

Moles can become serious business, however, if they’re not monitored for changes, because they have the potential to become cancerous. Though not dangerous in and of themselves, people with many moles can be at higher risk for skin cancer. If the DNA of a mole gets damaged, this can lead to cancer

At Q&S Surgical in Decatur and Lithonia, Georgia, Dr. Luis Quinones partners with his patients to develop vigilance around their skin, so they can catch anything abnormal, like a concerning change to a mole, as soon as possible. 

By identifying changes that could indicate skin cancer early, you can eliminate worry about a mole by having it biopsied or removed in our Q&S Surgical office.

My mole is darker — should I be concerned?

Contrary to what many believe, moles aren’t always dark — they range in hue from black and brown to tan, pink, and even lighter. In fact, whatever your skin tone, a mole may match it, making it harder to spot and keep an eye on.

A harmless mole is a grouping of pigmented cells that accumulate in a certain spot on your skin, and if you have moles, you might not pay much attention to them. After all, they’ve likely been there as long as you can remember. However, it’s important to be conscious of any changes in appearance or texture because these can be early signs of skin cancer. 

The darkening of a mole may indicate melanoma, which is the most serious type of skin cancer. Normal moles don’t usually change in color (or shape or size) as the years go by. 

You need to be concerned and get checked by Dr. Quinones if you see changes happening with a mole, but these changes aren’t limited to a darkening in color. You should also watch for:

• Changes in texture, such as if your mole feels rougher
• Any bleeding or oozing from your mole
• Sudden growth of your mole or taking on an irregular, asymmetrical shape
• Changes to the border of your mole, like blurring or becoming ragged-edged
• Growth of your mole to six millimeters in diameter or more
• Observable evolution of your mole, with changes in color, shape, size, or appearance
• Redness or swelling beyond your mole’s borders
• Itching or tenderness of your mole

If you see any of these changes happening, or a new mole pops up that you’ve never seen before, visit Dr. Quinones so he can examine and biopsy it, if necessary. 

When it comes to your skin health, you can never be too careful. Most adults have experienced sunburns in their lives, skipped the sunscreen on occasion, and done other things that may raise their risk for skin cancer. This is why it’s critical to be monitored by your doctor, and for you to scan your body on a regular basis for skin abnormalities and any changes in your moles.

If you have a suspicious mole or just want to get checked to make sure, schedule an appointment with Dr. Quinones today by calling our office or clicking online to book.