Why changing spots should not be ignored
Most skin changes are not cancer. At the same time, when something is changing on your skin, the most useful step is usually to have it looked at rather than to wait and wonder.
Skin changes are often the first clue
Most skin cancers, including melanoma, show up as a new spot or as a change in a spot that has been there. Noticing these changes early gives you the most options.
Early evaluation supports better outcomes
When suspicious spots are looked at early, treatment plans tend to be simpler and recovery is often easier. Many evaluated spots turn out to be harmless, which is also a useful answer.
Sun exposure adds up over a lifetime
Time outdoors in Alaska, snow reflection, and travel to sunnier places all add to lifetime UV exposure. Periodic mole checks are a sensible part of long-term skin health.
You know your skin best
If something feels off about a spot, even if you cannot put it into words, that is reason enough to have it looked at. Trust what you are noticing.
Warning signs patients should watch for
Dermatology providers often use a simple guide called ABCDE to describe features that may suggest a melanoma. It is a starting point, not a diagnosis. Any of these features is a reason to be seen.
Asymmetry
One half of the spot does not match the other half in shape.
Border
The edges look uneven, jagged, blurred, or notched rather than smooth.
Color
More than one color, or shades that vary across the spot, including brown, black, red, white, or blue.
Diameter
Larger than about the size of a pencil eraser, although some concerning spots can be smaller.
Evolving
Any change over weeks or months in size, shape, color, height, or how it feels.
These features can be helpful guides, but they cannot replace an in-person evaluation. A dermatology provider can tell you what a specific spot actually looks like up close.
New, bleeding, painful, or non-healing spots
Beyond the ABCDE signs, there are several practical situations that are worth having a provider look at, rather than assuming a spot will sort itself out.
A new spot in adulthood
New moles or pigmented spots that show up later in life are worth having a provider take a look at, especially if they look different from your other spots.
A sore that will not heal
A spot that scabs, heals, and opens again over several weeks deserves an in-person evaluation rather than continued home care.
Bleeding without an obvious cause
A spot that bleeds from minor contact, such as brushing it with clothing, is a reason to be seen.
Itching, tenderness, or pain in a spot
Persistent itching, tenderness, or pain in a single spot, especially a changing one, is worth checking.
A spot that looks different from your others
Dermatology providers sometimes call this the 'ugly duckling' sign. A spot that stands out from your usual moles can be a useful clue.
A spot under a fingernail or toenail
A new dark streak or change under a nail that you cannot explain is worth a professional look.
What happens during a mole check
A first visit for a mole or changing spot is usually quick and straightforward. Knowing what to expect can help the appointment feel less intimidating.
Brief history and concerns
Your provider will ask about the spot or spots you are worried about, when changes started, your sun exposure, and any personal or family history of skin cancer.
A careful look at the skin
Spots of concern are examined in good lighting, often with a handheld tool called a dermatoscope that helps your provider see details not visible to the naked eye.
Optional full body skin exam
Many patients choose to have a full body skin exam at the same visit so other spots can be checked as well, not just the one that prompted the visit.
A clear next step
You will leave with a plan, whether that is reassurance and routine monitoring, photos for comparison later, or a recommendation for a biopsy if a spot needs further evaluation.
Helpful to bring with you
- Photos of the spot taken in good lighting over the past weeks or months
- Notes on when you first noticed the change
- Any personal or family history of skin cancer
- A list of medications, including those that increase sun sensitivity
What happens during a full body skin examNew patient information
When a biopsy may be recommended
If a spot has features that need a closer look, your provider may recommend a biopsy. The points below give a general sense of how this is approached, although your specific plan is reviewed with you in person.
Not every spot needs a biopsy
Many spots can be reassured at the visit based on examination alone. Biopsies are recommended only when a spot has features that need to be looked at under a microscope.
A small skin sample for the lab
If a biopsy is recommended, your provider numbs the area and takes a small sample of the spot. The sample is sent to a pathology lab for review.
What the results may show
Pathology can confirm whether a spot is benign, precancerous, or cancerous. The results guide the next step, which may be monitoring, simple in-office treatment, or further care.
You are told what to watch for
After a biopsy, you receive aftercare instructions and a plan for how and when you will hear about your results.
Treatment options if needed
If a biopsy shows a skin cancer, treatment is matched to the type, size, and location of the lesion. This may include simple in-office removal, Mohs surgery for select cases, or other approaches.
Questions are welcome
Mole checks and biopsies can feel intimidating. You are encouraged to ask questions at any point so the plan feels clear before you leave.
Schedule a skin evaluation in Anchorage or Wasilla
Advanced Dermatology of Alaska sees patients for mole checks and changing spots at both Alaska offices. Choose the location that is most convenient for you.
Frequently asked questions
What changes in a mole should I watch for?
A useful starting point is the ABCDE guide: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color that varies, Diameter that is larger than a pencil eraser, and Evolving changes over time. Any of these, or a spot that simply looks different from your other moles, is worth having a dermatology provider look at in person.
Does every suspicious mole need a biopsy?
No. Many spots can be evaluated and reassured during the visit. A biopsy is recommended only when a spot has features that need a closer look under a microscope. Your provider will explain the reasoning before any biopsy is done.
Can melanoma look different from other moles?
Yes. Melanoma can look quite different from your usual moles, sometimes called the 'ugly duckling' sign. It can vary in color, have uneven borders, or change over time. It can also sometimes appear in less obvious places, including the scalp, soles of the feet, or under a nail.
Should I bring photos of a changing spot?
Yes, photos are very helpful, especially if the spot has been slowly changing. Pictures taken in good lighting over weeks or months give your provider a useful sense of how a spot is evolving and can support the in-person exam.
How soon should I schedule a visit?
If a spot is bleeding, painful, will not heal, or is changing quickly, please schedule promptly. For more gradual changes or a routine mole check, a regular scheduled visit is appropriate. If something is changing rapidly or you are worried, please come in.
Medical disclaimer
The information on this page is for general education only and is not medical advice. Moles and skin spots can look similar but vary widely in significance. A dermatology provider needs to evaluate your skin in person to determine what a specific spot is and what, if anything, should be done about it. If you have a spot that is changing rapidly, bleeding, or otherwise worrying you, please schedule a visit.