What to look for in moles and beauty marks:
Asymmetry – Growths in which one half doesn’t match the other half.
Borders – Irregular borders with edges that are ragged, notched or blurred.
Color – Pigmentation that’s not uniform; with shades of tan, brown and black present. Dashes of red, white and blue may add to the mottled appearance.
Diameter – Size greater than six millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser). Any mole growth should be of concern.
Evolution – Changes in size, shape, color, or elevation, or any new symptom such as bleeding, itching or crusting.
To learn more about the importance of sun safety, listen to Dr. Steven Wang’s Empowered by Hoag podcast. For more information about the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and other skin cancers, visit hoag.org/melanoma.
