Do freckles turn into moles?

Freckles occur as a result of sun exposure or genetics, whereas moles appear after skin cells develop into a cluster instead of spreading out into the skin. Ultimately, the mechanisms involved in the appearance of both are different and separate, meaning freckles can't turn into moles and vice versa.

Does a mole start as a freckle?

Often, moles appear as small, dark brown spots. They are caused when melanocytes grow in clusters or clumps. Moles are usually a bit darker than freckles, and deeper in the dermis, or deeper in the skin.

Can freckles be cancerous or just moles?

Moles and freckles. Most moles, spots, freckles and bumps on the skin are harmless, but this is not always the case: About 75% of melanoma are new spots that appear in normal skin – a new ugly duckling. Other melanomas start within an existing mole or freckle – watch out for change.

What causes moles to suddenly appear?

It's thought to be an interaction of genetic factors and sun damage in most cases. Moles usually emerge in childhood and adolescence, and change in size and color as you grow. New moles commonly appear at times when your hormone levels change, such as during pregnancy.

Can a freckle turn cancerous?

Things to know about freckles

Common freckles themselves are quite harmless and rarely develop into skin cancer. Most freckles are produced by exposure to ultraviolet light and typically fade in the winter. Unusual-appearing freckles may become malignant skin cancer.

Freckle, Mole or More? Making Sense of Skin Cancer

Can freckles turn into melanoma?

Freckles 101

Freckles are actually evidence of a genetic mutation in your “freckle gene.” No, you're not an alien, but when this gene (called the melanocortin one receptor gene) is mutated, you are at greater risk for predisposed skin cancer — both melanoma and non-melanoma types.

What does Stage 1 melanoma look like?

Stage IA Melanoma: The melanoma tumor is less than 1.0 millimeter thick (less than the size of a sharpened pencil point) with or without ulceration (broken skin) when viewed under the microscope. Stage IB Melanoma: The melanoma tumor is more than 1.0 millimeter and less than 2.0 millimeters thick without ulceration.

Should I be worried about new moles?

In most cases, moles are nothing to worry about, especially if you've had them since childhood or adolescence, which is when moles first tend to appear. They can darken or lighten, and neither occurrence is necessarily a sign of melanoma.

What is the difference between a freckle and a mole?

Freckles and moles are words often used interchangeably, but they aren't the same. So, what's the difference between them? Moles are raised skin spots often appearing alone or in groups, whereas freckles are clusters of flat skin spots that are typically lighter in color.

Will moles go away?

Moles sometimes fade or disappear, especially as people get older. This is not usually a cause for concern. However, cancerous moles can also shrink or disappear. Sometimes this happens when skin cancer is present and has already spread to other areas.

Can freckles look like moles?

Freckles and moles are different in several ways: Moles may be flat or raised, while freckles are flat. Freckles are usually brown in colour, moles can be brown, black, pink, the same colour as the surrounding skin, and even blue or grey. Moles are genetically determined, and they can grow on any part of the body.

What happens if you pick a freckle off?

Never try to remove a mole yourself. It can cause a scar or infection. If you notice any changes to a mole, or if it gets itchy or starts to bleed, get it checked by a dermatologist. These can be early signs of skin cancer.

When should you worry about a freckle?

A mole or freckle should be checked if it has a diameter of more than a pencil eraser or any characteristics of the ABCDEs of melanoma (see below). Dysplastic nevi are moles that are generally larger than average (larger than a pencil eraser) and irregular in shape.

Are all freckles sun damage?

Freckles actually serve a purpose. In a way, they act like sun screens and are a natural way to block the UV rays from penetrating the deeper layers of the skin. They are not a sign of sun damage, but rather protect areas of the skin that are particularly sensitive to ultraviolet light.

What happens if you pick a mole off?

Cutting off any growth increases your risk of infection, especially if the tool you use is not properly sanitized. You can also create a permanent scar where the mole once was. Another risk of removing a mole yourself is that you can't tell if a mole is cancerous. A mole could be melanoma.

What do moles look like when they first appear?

A common mole (nevus) is a small growth on the skin that is usually pink, tan, or brown and has a distinct edge. A dysplastic nevus is often large and does not have a round or oval shape or a distinct edge. It may have a mixture of pink, tan, or brown shades.

Why do freckles get bigger?

Sun exposure

A person's skin cells produce extra melanin to protect the skin from sun damage. This is why freckles tend to appear after sun exposure. Freckles can appear over a large area of skin and can reappear or become darker in the summer months.

Can moles just appear?

Moles, or nevi, typically form during childhood and adolescence, but new moles can appear in adulthood. Although most moles are noncancerous, or benign, the development of a new mole or sudden changes to existing moles in an adult can be a sign of melanoma. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer.

Can freckles get bigger?

"I like to call them the ugly duckling spots. They just don't look like your other spots." Your skin can develop new spots after sun exposure. Or an old freckle or mole that's looked the same for years can suddenly change in size, shape or color.

How quickly do moles appear?

Most skin moles appear in early childhood and during the first 20 years of life. It is normal for a person to have between 10 to 40 moles by adulthood. The life cycle of an average mole is about 50 years. As the years pass, moles usually change slowly, becoming raised and lighter in color.

How do cancerous moles start?

The first sign of melanoma is often a mole that changes size, shape or color. This melanoma shows color variations and an irregular border, both of which are melanoma warning signs.

How can you tell if a mole is cancerous?

Redness or new swelling beyond the border of a mole. Color that spreads from the border of a spot into surrounding skin. Itching, pain, or tenderness in an area that doesn't go away or goes away then comes back. Changes in the surface of a mole: oozing, scaliness, bleeding, or the appearance of a lump or bump.

What are the warning signs of melanoma?

Other melanoma warning signs may include:

Pigment, redness or swelling that spreads outside the border of a spot to the surrounding skin. Itchiness, tenderness or pain. Changes in texture, or scales, oozing or bleeding from an existing mole. Blurry vision or partial loss of sight, or dark spots in the iris.

Are melanomas flat or raised?

Many melanomas are flat or barely raised. They may have a variation of colors with irregular borders. The thickness of the melanoma is known as the Breslow measurement or Breslow's depth. The amount of thickness can help determine the stage of the cancer.

Is melanoma a death sentence?

Metastatic melanoma was once almost a death sentence, with a median survival of less than a year. Now, some patients are living for years, with a few out at more than 10 years.