The skin has its own renewal cycle. Skin cells constantly regenerate in the deepest layer of the skin and then spread to the surface to replace old cells. However, there is a question: what happens to moles and freckles?

Dr. Sandro Tucto, Dermatologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma, comments:

“The moles you see are not eternal. They also follow the change cycles as well as the skin does, since there are stem cells at the base of the skin that make this possible. Although you have not noticed, they also change their appearance, color, and even size. That is why we must visit the Dermatologist to analyze these changes”, said the Specialist

Why don’t moles or freckles change or disappear?

Moles originate from special cells called melanocytes which are located at the base of the skin (epidermis and/or dermis) and spread continuously towards the surface, allowing their continuous presence over time

On the other hand, freckles or ephelides are not moles, but an increase of melanin pigment in very small and exposed areas (nose, cheeks, shoulders, back, back of hands), in response to repeated sun damage

Why do freckles and moles appear?

Moles are cellular structures that after the accumulation of many melanocytic cells of the skin they activate from very small size producing the pigment (from brown to black) in different numbers and sizes along the body surface

When should I worry about a mole and rule out whether it is carcinogenic or not?

Freckles have no risk of malignant degeneration. In contrast, moles can degenerate into cancers called malignant melanoma

If a mole that we use to see with certain characteristics undergoes changes such as increase in size, shape, symmetry or changes color, and symptoms such as pain or bleeding are added, it needs to be evaluated and diagnosed by a Dermatologist

Dr. Sandro Tucto
Dermatologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma