What are moles?
Moles are medically termed Melanocytic nevus; they are essentially a group of pigment-producing cells or melanocytes. These cells are present in the topmost layer of the skin and sully have the same colour as the skin with shades of black or brown.
The two main factors that cause moles are excessive sun exposure and family history. Moles may be present in the body from birth or may even develop when you are in your 30s or 40s.
In general, moles are harmless to skin extensions, but in a few cases, moles can become cancerous. Therefore, it is important to perform a mole check in Melbourne at routine intervals or every 3 months. This helps to ensure no risks of melanoma and helps to detect any kinds of skin cancer in their early stages and allows you to seek effective medical treatment and interventions.
Nitai Medical and Cosmetic Centre offers the most comprehensive mole check in Melbourne with TGA & FDA approved premium devices and equipment. This ensures comprehensive assessment and comparison of the moles, which further provides effective positive outcomes.
Types of moles
Moles are very common among people in Australia. They are of different sizes, shapes and colours. Moles can be further classified into different types depending on their time of development and appearance. These include:
Congenital moles
Moles that appear from birth are commonly called congenital nevus or congenital moles. According to the reach article, only 1% of the population have congenital moles. However, these types of moles are at a greater risk of further developing into melanoma or skin cancer.
Acquired moles
Moles that develop with time or as you age are called acquired moles. Excessive sun exposure is the main cause of the development of these types of moles on the skin. The harsh sunlight and the UV rays cause a higher production of melanin in the skin. This is the main pigment responsible for the emergence of moles in the skin. If the amount of melanin production is higher, the moles become darker. These moles may sometimes respond to changes in the hormone levels in the body during pregnancy or puberty and become darker over time.
Atypical moles
The atypical moles are also called dysplastic nevi and generally occur in people who have a family history of such types of moles. These moles are irregular in the shape and uneven on the edges and gradation. These moles are generally larger than the pencil eraser. These moles should be routinely examined with mole check in Melbourne. If left unattended or unchecked it may further develop into melanoma or skin cancer.
When should you do a mole check?
Any type of suspicious mole on the skin could be a cause of serious concern. Therefore, it is important to routinely examine your moles or do a self-check of the moles. You need to consult a certified dermatologist for a mole check in Melbourne if you discover any warning signs of a suspicious mole. The things that you need to check when examining the moles include:
Asymmetry
Check the moles for their symmetry. A normal mole will appear symmetrical from all sides. If a particular mole does not appear the same throughout, then you need to get it checked immediately, as it could be a sign of a cancerous mole which could further lead to skin cancer or melanoma.
Border
Check the border or the edges of the mole. The normal mole will have a smooth and defined border. If the mole has an undefined or irregular border, then you need to get it examined by the doctor immediately. Moles with irregular borders could be a sign of a cancerous mole.
Colour
A normal mole has one colour and an even tone. If your mole is composed of multiple colours and has multiple shades of black, brown, or blue, it is due to the disparity in the production of melanin in the body. These types of moles could be a sign of melanoma or skin cancer. In this case, you must consult the doctor and do a mole check in Melbourne at Nitai Skin Clinic.
Diameter
Next, you need to examine the mole diameter. If the mole is too big or bigger than the size of the pencil eraser, then you need to get it checked by the dermatologist as it could be a sign of melanoma.
Evolving
Most normal moles are dormant; they don’t change their shape, size or colour. If you notice a mole that has changed its size, shape or colour with time, then you need to get it checked immediately by a dermatologist.
Also, look for new moles that have formed on the skin, and if they are painful or bleed. If you experience such a mole do an immediate mole check in Melbourne by a qualified dermatologist.
To consult a qualified dermatologist for a mole check in Melbourne, you must visit Nitai Medical and Cosmetic Centre today.