Freckles

Freckles are pale brown flat marks that develop on the skin in relation to sun-exposure. They are particularly common in very fair complexions, especially on the face and forearms. They are often seen in childhood. Freckles tend to be more prominent in the summer and may fade in winter. Freckles cannot become malignant themselves, but they are a warning of excess sun exposure and individuals with a tendency to freckle need to be extra-careful about sun-protection.

Moles

The medical term for a mole is a pigmented naevus. They are collections of the pigment cells (melanocytes) in the skin. Usually a mole is slightly raised and brown in colour, but they can be pink or flesh-coloured. Most individuals with European skin will have some moles. Moles may be present at birth (congenital) or develop through life (acquired). Congenital naevi tend to be darker and larger than acquired naevi and may become thickened on the surface and hairier with time.

Most people have between 10-20 moles on their body. The number of moles that an individual develops depends on genetics (how moley their family is), how fair their skin is, and how much sun-shine they have had. It is common to form new moles up until the age of about 25 years. The majority of moles are entirely harmless (benign). However, occasionally a mole may become malignant in which case it is called a malignant melanoma. Some malignant melanomas develop without a preceding mole.

Fortunately malignant melanomas are relatively rare, but none-the-less it is an important thing to be aware of, as caught early it can easily be removed and the outlook is very good. About 7,000 people a year develop melanoma in the UK, and it is increasingly common in young adults.

What should I look out for in a mole?

If a mole-

• Changes in shape
• Changes in colour
• Changes in size significantly
• or Suddenly appears

it should be checked by your doctor. If necessary they may arrange a biopsy to check that the mole is not harmful.

Other Reasons to remove a mole

Sometimes moles may be removed because they are a nuisance, rather than harmful e.g. catching on clothes and bleeding. This is a very quick and straight forward procedure with a local anaesthetic.
Occasionally people want to have a mole removed because they consider it unsightly. If a mole is removed for cosmetic reasons it is important to consider the risk of scarring and the acceptability of the end result, before the procedure. This is especially important on the face.

For further information see :
www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/moles.htm
www.bad.org.uk/public/leaflets/melanocytic.asp
www.bad.org.uk/public/leaflets/melanoma.asp

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