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
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.