Not all moles are created equal. Here's how to tell the difference — and when to get a professional opinion.
Most people have between 10 and 40 moles on their body. The vast majority are completely harmless. But some aren't — and the difference between catching a problem early and missing it can be significant. Knowing when to get a professional mole check is one of the simplest things you can do for your long-term skin health.
What Is a Mole Check?
A mole check is a professional skin examination performed by a dermatologist. Depending on your history and concerns, it may involve a full-body skin exam (done in a gown) or a more focused look at a specific lesion. Your dermatologist will use a handheld tool called a dermatoscope to examine each mole in detail — magnifying the surface and subsurface structures in ways the naked eye simply can't see.
If anything looks concerning, a skin biopsy can be performed at the same visit. Results typically come back within 2 to 4 weeks.
How to Tell If a Mole Is Concerning
A useful starting point is the ABCDE guide, which dermatologists use to flag features that warrant a closer look:
A — Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn't match the other
B — Border: Edges are irregular, jagged, or poorly defined
C — Colour: Multiple shades within the same mole (brown, black, red, grey, or white)
D — Diameter: Larger than 6mm, roughly the size of a pencil eraser
E — Evolution: Any change in size, shape, colour, or symptoms like bleeding or tenderness
Any mole that fits one or more of these criteria should be evaluated promptly. That said, not every melanoma follows the ABCDE pattern — which is why annual professional skin checks remain important even when nothing appears visibly wrong.
When to Book a Mole Check
You don't need to wait for a mole to look suspicious. Consider booking an appointment if:
You haven't had a skin check in over a year
You have a history of sunburns, especially blistering burns in childhood
You have fair skin, blue eyes, or red or blond hair
You have more than 50 moles or moles that appear unusual in shape or colour
Someone in your immediate family has had melanoma or skin cancer
A mole has recently changed in any way — even subtly
A spot on your skin bleeds, itches, crusts over, or doesn't heal
If you're ever in doubt, the right move is to get it checked. A mole that turns out to be nothing costs you a short appointment. A mole that goes unchecked could cost considerably more.
What Happens If Something Suspicious Is Found?
If your dermatologist identifies a mole of concern, a biopsy is the next step. This is a minor in-office procedure performed under local anesthetic — most patients feel nothing more than a brief sting. The sample is then analyzed by a pathologist to determine whether any cancer cells are present.
If the biopsy confirms skin cancer, treatment depends on the type and stage. For non-melanoma skin cancers like basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma, options typically include surgical excision or Mohs surgery. Melanoma may require wider excision and, in some cases, further staging.
The important thing to understand: skin cancer caught early is highly treatable. The five-year survival rate for melanoma detected at its earliest stage is over 99%.
How Often Should You Have Your Skin Checked?
For most adults, once a year is recommended. If you have a personal or family history of skin cancer, multiple atypical moles, or significant sun exposure history, your dermatologist may recommend more frequent visits.
Between appointments, get in the habit of doing a monthly self-check at home — looking over your skin in good lighting and noting any changes. Take photos of existing moles so you have a reference point if something appears to shift over time.
Book a Mole Check at Aliso Dermatology
At Aliso Dermatology, our team performs thorough mole checks and skin cancer screenings using dermoscopy to give you the most accurate evaluation possible. If you haven't had a skin check recently — or if something has caught your attention — now is the right time to book.