All freckles fall into the ephelides and solar lentigines category, although freckles and sun spots can differ. Solar lentigines include sunspots, which can sometimes be scaly. Moles are not the same as freckles. They are still skin lesions but are often darker and not necessarily associated with sun exposure.
Like ephelides though, moles are more common among light-skinned people. A mole is made of an excess of pigment-forming cells with a greater than average supply of blood vessels.
Moles can take on a wide variety of appearances. The color can range from brown to pink and can assume different shapes.
Freckles and moles by themselves pose no threat. But moles can suggest an increased risk for melanoma , or malignant skin cancer. Make an appointment with your doctor or a dermatologist if your freckles, moles, or sunspots display one or more of the above criteria.
The risk of melanoma increases with the number of moles. Someone with moles can have a 1. This can be as high as times more for someone with moles or more. In one analysis, the risk of melanoma for white populations was approximately 32 and 20 times higher than people with darker skin. An annual screening is a good idea, if you fall into one of the at-risk categories or develop a new mole. For people who want to avoid freckles, prevention is key.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 on your skin. Wait 15 minutes before heading outdoors for full protection.
Do this every day, even in the winter, to prevent further pigmentation. Louis University. One study reported good results for lightening freckles and skin pigmentation with products such as:.
It can get into your lymph nodes and metastasize and kill you if it's not caught early," Rhyan says. While dangerous, melanoma isn't the most common form of skin cancer. Of the 3. Squamous cell carcinomas also occur more frequently than melanoma skin cancers. Basal and squamous cell skin cancers grow much slower and are curable when caught early. Unfortunately, you can't tell by looking at a mole whether it's cancerous or what type it is.
It could very well be a normal skin spot with an abnormal appearance. A dermatologist can't always tell the difference either. But if your mole has changed or shares similar traits to a typical cancerous mole, your dermatologist will remove a small piece of it for a biopsy. From there, you'll learn whether you're in the clear or if you have skin cancer. If it's malignant, then the treatment depends on what type of cancer it is, where it's located, how deep it goes and other factors.
There are a lot of different treatments available," Rhyan says. Basal cell skin cancer is often superficial. Occasionally a cream can be used that irritates the skin and removes the growth.
Freckles have zero potential for malignant transformation. While most moles are harmless they can, rarely, become cancerous. Moles that have some potential for malignant transformation will often change, either growing or showing a different border. Symptoms like itching or bleeding are also of concern. Paying attention to moles and other pigmented patches in the skin is an important step in detecting skin cancer, particularly malignant melanoma. In truth, a mole and a beauty mark are the same thing.
And while attractive, they are still moles and should be treated as such should they change in shape, size, or color. Freckles vary in color depending on the person and their genetic makeup. But excessive exposure to sun may cause your freckles to deepen in color.
While still not actually harmful , they can cause some discomfort in your appearance and are usually a sign that your skin has been exposed to too much sun in the first place not to mention that dark spots can actually make you look older! If you have any concerns with your skin or its treatment, see a dermatologist for advice. Tumour, Images. Advertisement Skin cancer App to facilitate skin self-examination and early detection. Previous: Is sun any good for me? Next: Check your skin.
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