Know your moles: How to stay safe in the sun
How often should you check your moles? And what are the warning signs you should look for? DANIELLE FOX gets the lowdown from some of the world’s leading dermatologists
For many of us, myself included, scanning our bodies for moles is not a priority. While we may be well versed in the importance of SPF and the consequences of UVA and UVB damage, research suggests we’re still not proficient in applying sunscreen – a study from the American Academy of Dermatology shows that only 30% of us are diligent about slathering on enough when we’re in the sun for more than an hour. For me, it regrettably took for my father to be diagnosed with melanoma to take it far more seriously. And for good reason: according to surgeon and skin-cancer specialist Dr Marko Lens, who removed a mole from the back of my leg, moles can be both genetic and develop with time. Here’s all you need to know about them…
What are moles?
Moles are growths on the skin and are made up of melanocytes, the skin cells that produce the skin pigment melanin. “Usually people have between 10 and 40 moles. We can be born with some, but often they develop in the skin in early childhood [having multiple sunburns as a child can increase the risk] or before the age of 25 [especially if you have an extensive history of indoor tanning],” explains Lens.
How often should you check your moles?
“If you have a number of moles, or any that are atypical, then get them checked every six months. Your doctor will be able to determine whether any need to be monitored,” advises Dr Marko Lens. “Your screening should be done by a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in treating skin cancer,” says medical dermatology doctor Dendy Engelman.
What should you look for?
“Before patients come in for treatment, we tell them to note any new or changing growths on the skin. It is important to know your family history of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, as they are different and come with different genetic risks,” says Engelman. “Often, patients group all skin cancers as ‘melanoma’, and this is not the case.”
When checking your skin at home, remember the ABCDE rule, says Engelman, which is the gold standard guideline for moles: Asymmetry (one half of the mole doesn’t match the other); Border irregularity; Color that is not uniform; Diameter greater than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser); and Evolving size, shape or color.
What happens if there is a problem?
“Biopsies are only done when there is evidence that a mole or skin lesion doesn’t look completely healthy,” says Engelman. “For everything else, we usually shave off a pigmented or non-pigmented lesion, which is pretty much painless and involves a small anesthetic injection into the lesion – it feels like a slight scratch – then it is superficially shaved and cauterized to stop any bleeding.”
How can you protect your moles?
Always wear at least an SPF30, preferably higher; an Ohio State University study showed that wearing SPF30 could cut your skin-cancer risk by up to 80%. But be generous and think in teaspoons: “One teaspoon should be used for the face and neck, while each arm and leg will need a teaspoon each, and another two will cover your torso and back. Reapply every two hours when exposed to sun,” advises Lens. “And look for a sunscreen that also contains antioxidants and ingredients that help to repair the skin.”