Moles are small, coloured spots on the skin. Most people have them and they're usually nothing to worry about unless they change size, shape or colour.

Most moles are harmless

• most harmless moles are round or oval-shaped, with a smooth edge
• moles can be flat or raised and may feel smooth or rough
• sometimes moles have hair growing from them
• moles are usually darker on brown and black skin

It's normal for:

• babies to be born with moles
• new moles to appear – especially in children and teenagers
• moles to fade or disappear as you get older
• moles to get slightly darker during pregnancy

When a mole could be serious

Some moles can be a sign of melanoma, a type of skin cancer.

Signs of melanoma include:

• A mole that's changed colour or has more than 2 colours
• A mole with uneven borders
• A mole that's bleeding, itching, crusting or raised

See a GP if you notice a change in a mole

It's important to get a new or existing mole checked out if it:

• changes shape or looks uneven
• changes colour, gets darker or has more than 2 colours
• starts itching, crusting, flaking or bleeding
• gets larger or more raised from the skin

These changes can happen over weeks or months.

If the GP thinks it's melanoma

If the GP thinks your mole is melanoma, you'll be referred to a specialist in hospital. You should have an appointment within 2 weeks.

The main treatment for melanoma is surgery to remove the mole.

Cosmetic mole treatment

Most moles are harmless. Harmless moles are not usually treated on the NHS.

You can pay a private clinic to remove a mole, but it may be expensive. A GP can give you advice about where to get treatment.

Find a private plastic surgeon on the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) website

How to prevent cancerous moles

UV light from the sun can increase the chance of a mole becoming cancerous. If you have lots of moles, you need to be extra careful in the sun.

It's important to check your moles regularly for any changes.

There are some things you can do to protect your moles from sun damage, especially during hot weather.

Do:

• stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm, when sunlight is strongest
• cover skin with clothes – wear a hat and sunglasses if you have moles on your face
• regularly apply a high-factor sunscreen (minimum SPF15) – apply it again after swimming

Don't:

• do not use sunlamps or sunbeds – they use UV light