The appearance of new moles on our skin is a very frequent and normal phenomenon.. The technical name of a mole is nevus and comes from Latin meaning birthmark, however most of them appear in adolescence and adulthood. But not all new lesions that appear on our skin are moles and it is important to know the differences and the most frequent causes.
So, are all new skin lesions moles?
No, not all the spots that appear on the skin are moles. In my practice I see many, many types of skin lesions that look very similar to moles, but after examining them in detail I make a different diagnosis.
Among the most frequent diagnoses that I see in my office when my patients ask me about the appearance of new moles are:
- Benign solar lentigines
- Seborrheic keratoses
- Fibromas or acrochordons
- red polka dots
- Melanocytic nevus
In this informative infographic I show you the most common causes of new skin lesions grouped by age. But in reality there are many more causes that only dermatologists are qualified to evaluate them.
How to establish the diagnosis of new moles?
Every time I see a patient with a new mole, I explain the importance of a proper diagnosis. To this end, dermatologists we use dermoscopy to make more accurate diagnoses.
Therefore, when new moles appear on the skin, a visit to your favorite dermatologist is always recommended.
1- Melanocytic moles or nevus
The appearance of melanocytic moles is a very frequent phenomenon during adolescence and young adulthood. Nevi are proliferations of melanocytes, which are the cells responsible for coloring our skin. Normally we differentiate moles into 2 types depending on the depth they are located in our skin.
- Joint nevus: correspond to flat moles and are usually light brown to black in color. They are benign and remain stable over time.
- Dermal nevusDermal or warty moles (because of their shape), on the other hand, are those that have relief. They are also known as flesh moles. These moles tend to protrude over time and lose their pigment.
- Other melanocytic nevi: there are many more types of moles. If you are interested in knowing them what types of melanocytic nevus exist you can see them here.
Joint nevus
Dermal nevus
Why do I get new moles?
Different studies have shown that in most cases it is an interaction of multiple genetic factors associated with sun exposure that triggers the appearance of the same. Lhe good news is that almost all moles are benign.
On the contrary, if new moles appear in an adult, they are more likely to become cancerous than those we have had all our lives. If you have new moles after the age of 40 it could be a malignant skin lesion.
Is it normal if I have many new moles?
Having some moles on our body is perfectly normal. But if we have lots and lots of moles and some of them have atypical characteristics, you may have a increased risk of developing melanoma during your lifetime.
That is why in cases of patients with many nevi and/or atypical nevi we recommend a follow-up with a dermatologist. Below is a picture of a patient who has a dysplastic nevus syndrome. This means that she has more than 100 moles and some of them with clinically atypical features (ABCDE rule).
2- Solar lentils
A lentigo (plural: lentigines) is a spot on the skin without relief that is darker (usually brown) than the surrounding skin. Lentigines are more common among Caucasians, especially fair-skinned people.
La sun exposure that we accumulate during our lives is the main cause of these lentigines. This is why they usually appear after the age of 30 and appear on the parts of the body that receive the most sun, such as the face, décolleté and hands. Some lentigines may be caused by the following factors genetic (family history) or by medical procedures, such as radiotherapy.
Lentigines are not malignant, however if they are not evaluated by dermatologists who are experts in dermatoscopy they can easily be confused with other moles or even skin cancer. We usually treat them for cosmetic reasons and if you are interested in knowing more about it you can continue reading my post on how to remove spots on the face?
3- Seborrheic keratoses
Seborrheic keratoses are brown or black proliferations that usually appear on the face, chest and back. They originate from cells called keratinocytes. As they develop, seborrheic keratoses take on a warty appearance so the main reason for consultation is usually cosmetic.
Do I need to treat seborrheic keratoses?
The good news is that seborrheic keratoses are not cancerous and are not contagious. Therefore, there is no need to treat them.
If you decide to remove seborrheic keratoses because you do not like their appearance or because they are chronically irritated by clothing they can be effectively removed by a specialist. Common methods to remove these lesions include laser, cryosurgery and electrosurgery.
4- Fibromas or acrochordons
A cutaneous fibroid or acrochordon is a small flap of tissue that hangs from the skin by a connecting stalk. Cutaneous fibroids are not dangerous and should not be confused with papillomas or warts, which are contagious.
They usually appear on the neck, chest, back, armpits, under the breasts or in the groin area. Cutaneous fibroids appear more frequently in women, especially with weight gain, and in older people.
Cutaneous fibroids do not usually cause pain. However, they can become irritated if something, such as clothing, jewelry or skin, rubs against them. Also, I get many people in the office who do not like these lesions and we end up removing them for cosmetic reasons. If you want to removing fibroids is always important to be performed by an expert. and with safe, non-marking methods.
5- Angiomas
Cutaneous angiomas are very common lesions that can develop on almost any part of the body. They are also known as senile angiomas or ruby spots. They usually appear after the age of 30 and their cause seems to be mainly genetic.
This skin lesion is usually not a cause for concern unless it bleeds frequently or changes in size, shape or color. Consult your dermatologist if you notice any of these symptoms as they could be indicative of malignancy. In the following article you can find all the information regarding angiomas and how you can remove them.
So what do I do if I have a lot of new moles?
Regardless of your age, it is important that if you have many new brown moles, you consult your dermatologist for a complete examination so that we can establish a correct diagnosis.
Depending on the cause, your dermatologist may recommend specific mole follow-up or in some cases mole removal.
Conclusions
In this post I talked about all those multiple skin lesions that appear more or less quickly. If you have any of the following symptoms I recommend you to read the related posts:
78 Responses
Since I was born, I've had a raised mole on my cheek, and now as an adult, I got a small cut while shaving. The bleeding was normal, however I fear it might have future consequences.
Hello Pedro, raised moles are common. A cut can be just a minor incident and shouldn't have consequences for your mole. However, any changes to its shape, color, or size should be evaluated by a dermatologist in the future.
Interesting article. I came here out of curiosity as I just realized I have several very tiny light freckles with almost no pigment on the inside of my legs. Adductors, I had not seen them before and that left me wondering wanting to look for information. On another page I read that some of them appear after covid (in asymptomatic people). Should I be worried? !!!!!
Hi Karla,
I hope you are very well. Without evaluating it is impossible to know what you have, but it sure has nothing to do with COVID. Best regards
Good evening Doctor, I got two moles on my right breast, I understand that I should consult a dermatologist but I would like to know if it is normal for moles to appear on the breast?
Hi Alicia, they are probably seborrheic keratoses and not moles, but it is better to see a dermatologist so that he/she can make a proper diagnosis. Answering your question, moles can appear anywhere on the body.
Hello, good afternoon, I got a red mole that comes off and then comes back on again.
Hello Cecil, in these situations it is always advisable to see a specialist to evaluate this lesion. There are many differential diagnoses but in the case of a lesion that is removed and reappears continuously we always have to rule out a malignant lesion.
Hello good afternoon Doctor
I am 25 years old and I have a doubt and at the same time a fear because of what I have read about moles, I noticed that on my left arm I have 24 moles, they are black and small, they look like spots but they are all in the same place.
What do you recommend?
Thank you in advance!
Hello Guadalupe, a visit to a dermatologist is always necessary for a proper check-up.
Hello Doctor, I am concerned about some moles around my breasts.
Hello Veronica,
To solve your doubts I will be glad to visit you.
I am 65 years old and in the last few months I have had 7 moles on my chest, just where the neck ends. I understand that the best thing to do is to consult a dermatologist.
Yes Sergio,
The ideal is to consult a dermatologist to make a good diagnosis.
Hello! about two months ago I started to see that my 10 year old son has had about 15 new moles on his face? I was alarmed because it was overnight and I see that he will get more because you can see little dots and that's how the others started, small dots that grow and darken very fast, is it normal that at this age he gets so many?
Moles usually begin to appear during late childhood and adolescence. One of the most important factors for their development is sun exposure. So for their prevention I recommend effective sun protection measures during this stage of life.
Hello doctor, I am 21 years old and have a 4 year old son. 3 years ago I got a little brown spot, I went to the dermatologist and he told me it is a mole. It is big, the size of a finger, up to what age can I get them?
Hi Juli, usually acquired moles appear more frequently during adolescence but they can also appear more or less until the age of 40. If a new, constantly growing mole appears after the age of 30-40 it is always advisable to have it checked for rule out a malignant lesion.
Hello, I am a 59 year old person and a mole has appeared on my left cheek and I feel that it is growing, it is the first one that appears and I am worried, thank you if you help me. Thank you.
Hello, I understand your concern. The best thing to do is to consult a dermatologist to evaluate the mole and give you a recommendation. It is important that you do this to make sure that the mole is not dangerous.
Hello Doctor, I have had a small black spot on the back of my thigh that I had not seen before, a small black spot that is not bulky. I would like to know if there is any risk or if it is just a teenage mole since I am 21 years old.
Hello Andres. In your case it is necessary to evaluate this spot in person with dermatoscopy to know what it is and give you a specific recommendation.
Doc very good day, Thank you for sharing very useful information, however, I have a question why there are people who have many moles, I am actually a little confused because my mom is the one who has noticed that I have many moles, I am 36 years old and I am a light brunette, only on my right arm I have 21 moles which according to everything I have read about moles makes me alarmed, I think I have more than 100 moles all over my body, I have checked the biggest ones and the ones I have been able to see are symmetrical, but I do not know if they are lentigines, moles, spots or freckles hahaha because they are dark, but have no relief, I pass my hand over them and I do not feel anything, thank you for your answer, I am also close to make an appointment with a dermatologist to check them and be calm.
Hello Clara,
First of all you have to be very calm because surely your moles are benign. However, if you count more than 100, it is important that you have a dermatological examination to ensure that all of them are benign. Depending on the type of moles you may be recommended to have a specific follow-up in the future.
Best regards
Good morning doctor, I just realized that I have a mole on my heel, it is very light, not dark, I have already had it checked and they tell me that it is normal, but what care should I take? Thank you.
Hi Lizbeth. In principle you don't have to take any special care if you have a mole on the sole of your foot that has already been checked and you were told it was fine. What is advisable is to follow up with your dermatologist if your dermatologist considers it necessary.
I got several moles on one of my breasts, is it dangerous?
Hi Silvia, it is probably nothing important and they are seborrheic keratoses. But it is always advisable to go to a specialist to be evaluated and most cases can be removed if you do not like them.
It is probably nothing important and correspond to seborrheic keratoses. However, the most important thing is to consult a dermatologist so that they can check them.
Hello Docteur, your article is very interesting and after reading it I would like to explain something to you: I have a dark-colored mole in the pubic hair area and I discovered it by chance because it is not visible. As I said it is dark in color, it does not bother me at all and when I touch it I have the impression that it is not hard. It is rounded, symmetrical and not very bulky. Can you give me an idea about it, I sincerely appreciate it.
Greetings from France
Dear Elizabeth, I would love to be able to help you but in order to make a diagnosis of such a lesion it is necessary to do a physical examination with dermatoscopy. Therefore, I recommend that you go to your dermatologist so that he/she can evaluate it.
Best regards
Hello doctor, I want to tell you that years ago I got a mole on my left nipple, and over time another one and another one, so there were 4 in the end. One is like a black spot and after my pregnancy it grew. I don't understand why I get them, it's a bit embarrassing and makes me feel insecure.
Hello Sahari, from what you say it could be seborrheic keratoses. If you go to a dermatologist's office they can be easily diagnosed and treated without leaving marks.
Best regards
cordial greetings doctor, I am 24 years old and I have a small asymmetric smooth red mole of less than 1cm, is it benign? Thank you very much for your attention.
Hello Gloria,
Impossible to know without looking at it in a dermatological consultation. I recommend that you make a visit to the specialist.
Greetings
Hello Dr. Sebastian, about 2 weeks ago I got a red spot on my left eyelid, now it is already brown and there are bumps, about 1 cm, on multiple occasions it makes me itch, and I put eucerin and it goes away, and I do not know what it could be. And about a week ago I got a mole on the left cheek of brown or dark color but as the days go by I have seen that it grows, is that normal? Thank you very much
Hello Adriana,
Undoubtedly it is a consultation that must be done in person. From what you say I can not make a diagnosis.
Best regards
Best regards and happy new year.
I am 43 years old and I have several moles, about 30, dark and small like little dots all over my body, especially on my arms and face. There are two that are the biggest and worry me the most, each one measures about 5 mm and is very dark in color, almost black. One, on the neck, has several tightly packed hairs growing on it and is round. The other one is also round but more oval, I have it on one arm almost under the armpit (an area where I don't wear sun) and sometimes it bothers me with the rubbing of my clothes. This one is symmetrical except for a 'little head' or 'nugget' even darker, almost almost black and very small. I have always had them but I worry about them anyway.
Thank you for your attention.
Hello J. Bencomo,
From what you say, they are probably benign moles, but ideally you should visit a specialist at some point so that he can perform a good dermatoscopic assessment of your moles. Depending on this assessment, he/she may or may not recommend a specific follow-up.
Best regards
My mom and I both have *fibromas* it makes our skin itch so bad.
And I get more every week,
They are a real nuisance.
She is 51 and I am 21
More we have on the face
Hello Eva,
No place is a nuisance. Fortunately they can be easily treated by your trusted dermatologist.
Best regards
Hello, I am 32 years old and I have a brown mole on my index finger, I am worried about it.
Hello Adriana,
Without place it would be good to check this brown mole with dermatoscopy to see what it is.
Hello, I am 32 years old and since I was 30 years old I have been getting new moles in the summers, I have noticed that it is only in the parts that are exposed to the sun and I already have a lot of them so I am worried about it.
Hi Lissette. The appearance of many moles in adulthood and sun lentigines is a clear mark of the sun damage we are doing to our skin. We do not all have the same ability to regenerate our skin when exposed to the sun, so it is important to protect yourself and avoid tanning or tanning booths. If you have many freckles or new moles it is advisable to visit a dermatologist for further guidance.
Good evening, my name is Arturo and I am 34 years old. I want to tell my story, 1 or 2 months ago several moles appeared on my face, they were very small but they grew quite a lot and it worries me because I know my face and they were not like that. The truth is that it scares me a lot to have this problem because I feel that maybe it is a side effect of the 2 doses of anti covid vaccine that I applied. I have been reading that some vaccines have a blood clotting condition.
Dear Arturo, in order to make a proper diagnosis it is necessary that you can see these moles. However, I can tell you that in all the studies we have done there is no evidence that COVID vaccines, or any vaccine for that matter, can trigger the appearance of moles. If you wish we can make an appointment in person or online to see what they are all about.
Hello, good morning.
I am 16 years old and several moles appeared together on the right side a little below the navel...normally my moles are only 1 and scattered, so these moles worry me a little. Is it normal for them to appear like this?
Hello Maria Fernanda. To be sure what it is we should make a visit. With the description you give me is not enough to be able to establish a diagnosis. Best regards
Hello, good afternoon.
I am 20 years old and I would like to know if you could help me, please. I just noticed that a small red dot I had on my finger has now turned black and is much larger than it was before. What could it be? 🙁 I didn't have it like this yesterday.
Hi Tammy,
The only way we can help you is by looking at the injury. If you want we can make a online written visit and you can send me the photos to evaluate them.
Best regards
Hi, I'm 21, I'm a woman and I would say my skin is light brown. I have had a lot of moles that look more like solar lentigines on my neck, back and face. In my perception the appearance of these is very drastic, I have 6 on my neck, on my face many more, which are not very noticeable because they are small and their color is light, not a strong brown but an aqua or baby brown. On the back the number of these pigments is higher, according to what I read it usually appears in older people and I have 21. Perhaps there is a shortage of some vitamin that is influencing me, if so, what would be the probable vitamin that I am missing?
Dear Laura,
From what you say, it could be ephelides because of your age and it is probably not related to any vitamin deficiency. To be sure, it would be great if we could make a written visit so I can assess your case and make a more accurate diagnosis. You can find all the information contact information in the following link.
Hello Doctor,
A month ago I have had about 5 new moles on my face. I already have about 15 on my face alone, I would like to know your opinion. Thank you
Dear Juan Antonio,
Yes of course I would be happy to help you and look at your moles. I have consultation in Barcelona, Spain or we can also make a virtual visit..
Best regards
Hello, good evening. A few months ago I started to get a lot of moles on my belly, around my breasts and back. I wanted to know if it could be a hormonal problem?
Hello Natalin,
Without seeing you it is difficult to make a diagnosis but from what you tell me they are probably seborrheic keratoses. More than a hormonal issue is a genetic issue and what you should do is go to a dermatologist to assess whether they can be removed. Best regards
Good evening doctor. I am 38 years old and I have thousands of moles...but I notice that I have gotten darker moles than usual...I have also gotten red ones...from one moment to the next I got many of them together. With the dark ones, it happened to me that I accidentally scratched them with my fingernail...just a drop of blood came out, then the skin fell off and the skin remained as if nothing had happened...are they normal? Anyway, I am already making an appointment with a dermatologist. Thank you for your opinion. Best regards!
Dear Bibian,
Surely everything is fine but it is important that you consult a dermatologist so that he/she can evaluate you and perform a complete dermatoscopic examination of your skin. Best regards
Hello, a couple of months ago, actually I don't know exactly how many months, a mole appeared on my lower back. Sometimes it changes, or sometimes it's just a spot, but today it has disappeared. I don't know if it will reappear. It doesn't itch, it doesn't hurt, and I have a mole that I think I've had since birth, but I noticed it was slightly altered, and I don't feel any itching or pain with that one either. Are these two situations normal? I'm really starting to get scared!! I hope you can respond! Thank you 🙏🏻
Hi Kimberly,
I hope you are feeling well. With what you tell me I can't imagine what kind of mole it is. I think the wisest thing to do would be to visit a dermatologist in person and have him evaluate you.
Best regards
I got a fine lump on my neck, I accidentally pulled it out with my fingernails and it bleeds. I am 67 years old. I had a basal cell carcinoma on the edge of my eyelash 4 years ago and it was removed. Any suggestions.
Hello José,
It was probably a small fibroid in the neck that you tore out. It is probably nothing important. See if the skin heals normally and if so, you can rest assured. On the other hand, if a spot or anything else appears in this area, I would recommend that you see a dermatologist. Best regards
Hello, good morning. It's been about two years since we've been in a pandemic. I got a lot of moles on my neck and on the side of my breasts and x below. They are of different sizes and some are like warts. I have never had anything like this before. What worries me?I am waiting for your answer.
Hello Lorena,
From what you say, they are probably acrochordons or fibroids, which are benign skin lesions. In order to remove them safely, it would be a good idea to visit your dermatologist.
Good evening, my mom got a new mole, it is light brown in color, I would like to know what can be done about it.
Hello Sebastian. The important thing is to evaluate it with dermatoscopy with a dermatologist.
Best regards
Good evening Dr.
I would like to tell you that I have a small concern, since a few months ago a kind of new mole appeared in the groin area, near the genitals. I had not given it enough importance and I wanted you to support me with your experience to know if I should be worried or not and to tell me what to do in this case.
Dear José Luis,
Any lesion of recent appearance in an adult needs to be evaluated with dermoscopy. Therefore my recommendation is that you visit a dermatologist so that they can make a good diagnosis.
Good afternoon, Doctor, I have an 11 year old girl and yesterday I noticed that in the area of her 2 breasts she had a series of moles grouped together, this has me worried because it is something out of the ordinary. There are too many flat moles. Please, I would like to know your opinion on this matter.
Dear Dora,
It is probably nothing important from what you tell me, but it is always important to evaluate it with a dermatologist specialist.
Thank you doctor for this important and complete information, because I have noticed the appearance of new freckles on my arms and face that then darken a little. And I have also got those little warts in my armpit. I will visit the specialist to rule out any serious case.
Hello Johana,
I'm glad the information is helpful to you. It would be great if you could visit a dermatologist to have your new freckles evaluated and also get those pesky armpit warts removed.
I am 30 years old and many moles have appeared on my body, they are flat but I am worried I did not have these.
Hello Yordanka,
It would be good to make an in-person visit to establish the diagnosis of these lesions that have appeared. They may indeed be moles, but they may also correspond to seborrheic keratoses, solar lentigines, etc.
Good morning, I am 57 years old, I have noticed that from one moment to another several moles have appeared on my face, they are small, not lumpy, is it normal for them to appear at my age?
Dear Luis,
Most likely they are not melanocytic moles, but some other type of skin lesion. The most common at your age are seborrheic keratoses. However, to be sure, it would be a good idea to make a visit with a specialist.