Your skin is the largest organ of your body and provides the ultimate external protection system. Naturally, that puts your skin at risk to different conditions and disorders – many of which are completely harmless, but not all.
Moles, sunspots and freckles are some of the most common conditions, and to the untrained eye can look very similar. However, to ensure your skin is healthy, there are some important things to know.
Here, Dr. Parul Thakur, Specialist Dermatologist at Athena Dermatology Clinic, offers some smart advice on how to tell the difference between these skin appearances, what to look out for when keeping an eye on your skin and when it’s time to seek professional advice.
Firstly, what are the differences between moles, sunspots and freckles?
They are all common skin marks but characterised in different ways.
Moles are pigmented cell clusters that can be present at birth or develop over time. They can appear anywhere on the body and vary in colour (from flesh-coloured to dark brown or black), appearance (from flat to raised, smooth to rough) and size. They’re usually harmless but should be checked if they change in size, colour or shape.
Freckles are small, light brown spots that primarily appear on sun-exposed skin area, such as the face, shoulders and arms, and tend to darken with sun exposure and fade without. They are entirely harmless and don’t pose any cancerous risk.
Sunspots (age spots) are flat, brown patches that develop as a result of cumulative sun exposure over time. Most common in adults over 40, they range in colour from light to dark brown and sometimes black, and do not fade with seasonal changes. While they’re typically benign, they do indicate significant sun damage of the skin, which increases the overall risk of skin cancer.
What should we be looking out for in terms of new spots, new moles or existing ones?
Keeping an eye on your skin is important, so look out for: a new mole appearing after the age of 30 that stands out from any others; a sore or lesion that doesn’t heal after a few weeks; a mole or spot that becomes itchy, painful, starts bleeding or crusts over; a rapidly changing mole, even if it’s small – especially one that looks different (in appearance or colour) from the others.
How do we check our moles – is there a particular checklist to follow?
There are several key warning signs to watch out for when checking skin for signs of melanoma or other types of skin cancer. One of the most widely used tools is the ABCDE rule:
A for Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other in shape, size or colour.
B for Border: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched or blurred.
C for Colour: The colour is not uniform and may include shades of brown, black, pink, red, white or even blue.
D for Diameter: The mole is larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser), although melanomas can sometimes be smaller.
E for Evolving: Any change in the mole – size, shape, colour, elevation or another trait – or the development of new symptoms, like itching, bleeding or crusting.
When is it the right time to see a doctor or dermatologist to get checked out?
For people at higher risk (such as people with a personal or family history of melanoma), those with numerous moles (typically more than 50) and those who have atypical or dysplastic moles that are irregular in shape or colour, annual mole mapping is highly recommended. The technique tracks subtle changes in moles over time, especially in hard-to-see places. It’s an essential screening tool for those with increased skin cancer risk and provides reassurance and clarity in long-term skin health monitoring.
What sensible things should we be doing to protect our skin?
One should start daily sun safety. That means applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF50 – even on cloudy days. Wearing protective clothing also helps, such as wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses, especially during peak hours (10am to 4pm). Avoid tanning beds, as they emit harmful UV rays. Have annual mole checks for any new or changing spots, as early detection and monitoring are key to maintaining healthy, clear skin over time.
