Checking your moles regularly helps find skin cancer early. At home, you can do a skin self-exam using the ABCDE rule to spot unusual changes. A doctor — usually a dermatologist — performs a full-body skin exam and may use a tool called a dermoscope for a closer look. The best approach is a combination: monthly self-exams and a professional check if you notice anything new or changing, or as recommended based on your risk.
What Is the Best Way to Check Moles at Home?
The most effective home method is a careful skin self-exam. You need good lighting, a full-length mirror, and a hand mirror for hard-to-see spots. Examine your skin from head to toe, including your scalp, between fingers and toes, the soles of your feet, and your back. Get a partner to help check areas you cannot see well, like your back and the back of your neck.
Use the ABCDE rule to look for warning signs. Take note of any new mole that appears after age 30, or any existing mole that changes in size, shape, color, or texture. It also helps to take photos of your moles and compare them over time. This way you can spot subtle changes that might be easy to forget.
What Are the ABCDE Signs of Melanoma?
The ABCDE rule is a simple memory tool for the most common signs of melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
| Letter | Meaning | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| A | Asymmetry | One half of the mole does not match the other half. |
| B | Border | The edges are irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined. |
| C | Color | Different shades of brown, black, tan, blue, red, or white appear within the same mole. |
| D | Diameter | The mole is larger than a pencil eraser (about 6 mm), though melanoma can be smaller. |
| E | Evolving | The mole changes in size, shape, color, or texture over weeks or months. Bleeding, itching, or crusting are also changes. |
Keep in mind that not all melanomas follow these rules. Some are smaller, uniform in color, or have smooth borders. Any mole that looks different from your other moles — sometimes called the “ugly duckling” sign — also deserves attention.
When Should You See a Doctor About a Mole?
See a doctor right away if you notice any of these changes: a mole that grows, changes shape, develops multiple colors, starts bleeding or crusting, or feels itchy or painful. Also see a doctor if a new mole appears after age 30, or if you have a mole that simply looks different from others on your body.
People at higher risk should be more cautious. Risk factors include a personal or family history of skin cancer, a large number of moles (more than 50), fair skin that burns easily, a history of severe sunburns, and a weakened immune system. If you have any of these risk factors, consider scheduling a professional skin exam even if you do not see any concerning changes.
What Happens During a Professional Mole Check?
A dermatologist will examine your skin from head to toe, including your scalp, nails, and soles. This is called a full-body skin exam. The doctor uses a bright light and often a dermoscope — a handheld magnifying lens that illuminates the skin and makes it easier to see structures beneath the surface.
If the dermatologist finds a mole that looks suspicious, they may take a sample (biopsy) to test for cancer. A biopsy is the only way to know for sure if a mole is cancerous. The procedure is quick, done with local numbing, and the sample is sent to a lab for analysis. Most biopsied moles turn out to be benign, but removing a suspicious mole early can save your life if it is melanoma.
Can You Use a Mobile App to Check Moles?
A number of smartphone apps claim to analyze moles using the camera and artificial intelligence. Some apps can track mole changes over time and provide a risk score. However, the evidence on their accuracy is mixed. Some studies have found that certain apps correctly identify many melanomas, while others miss a significant number. No app is as reliable as a dermatologist’s trained eye and a dermoscope.
Using an app can be useful for monitoring moles and reminding you to check your skin. But do not rely on an app to decide whether a mole is safe. If an app flags a mole as suspicious, or if you are worried about a mole regardless of what the app says, see a doctor. Conversely, an app that says a mole is fine does not guarantee it is harmless.
How Often Should You Get Moles Checked?
For people at average risk of skin cancer, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends regular skin self-exams and checking with a doctor if you notice any new or changing spots. Some dermatologists suggest an annual professional full-body exam for average-risk adults, but there is no single official guideline that applies to everyone.
If you have any of the higher-risk factors mentioned above, most dermatologists recommend a professional skin exam once a year or more often. People with a history of melanoma or many atypical moles may need checks every three to six months. Your doctor can give you a schedule that fits your personal risk.
What About Moles That Look Like Something Else?
Not every suspicious spot is a mole. Seborrheic keratoses — waxy, stuck-on-looking growths — are very common and benign. Actinic keratoses are rough, scaly patches that can turn into skin cancer over time. Dermatologists can usually tell these apart from moles just by looking, but sometimes a biopsy is needed.
If you notice a spot that is bleeding, growing quickly, or does not heal, do not try to figure out the type yourself. Any persistent skin change should be evaluated by a doctor. Skin cancer, especially melanoma, is highly treatable when caught early, so it is better to err on the side of caution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a mole at home?
No. Removing a mole at home is dangerous and not recommended. It can lead to infection, scarring, and — most importantly — if the mole is cancerous, you will have removed evidence of it without a proper diagnosis, which can delay treatment.
Are raised moles more dangerous than flat ones?
Not necessarily. Melanoma can be flat or raised. The shape does not determine whether a mole is dangerous. The ABCDE features and any changes over time are more important than whether the mole is raised.
What does a cancerous mole look like?
Cancerous moles often have asymmetry, irregular borders, uneven color, and a diameter larger than a pencil eraser. They may also change over time or look different from other moles on your body. However, some cancers do not fit these patterns, so any new or changing mole should be checked.
Do all moles need to be checked by a doctor?
No, but any mole with ABCDE features, any new mole after age 30, or any change in an existing mole should be checked. If you have many moles or a strong family history of skin cancer, regular professional exams are a good idea.
