When it comes to moles and how they affect the health of your skin, there are a lot of different myths floating around out there. Some people seek assistance the minute they notice a change in one of their moles, while others only seek medical attention much later. Then there are those who have no idea what to look out for at all.
Moles are one skin blemish that it’s best to have the facts on.
Top 8 Myths About Moles
Here are the myths about moles that you may or may not have come across before.
Myth 1: Moles that are large, dark and raised are dangerous
The moles that pose the biggest risks are actually small and simple. In fact, the more moles that you have on your body, the better it is to see a dermatologist who can examine them.
Myth 2: Melanoma usually occurs on the hands or face
Even though moles on your face and hands are the most noticeable, moles that occur on the back are the ones that tend to be cancerous. The more you expose your skin to the sun, the higher your chances of developing melanoma so if you spend a lot of time in the sun, be sure to have your skin checked out regularly.
Myth 3: People with darker skin don’t need sunscreen
Even though it’s less common for people with darker skin to develop cancer, absolutely everyone should be protecting their skin using sunscreen and hats.
Myth 4: You should only remove cancerous moles
The fact that a mole is causing you discomfort or is aesthetically displeasing is enough reason to have it removed. A mole removal clinic such as The DOC in Melbourne removes moles for a variety of different reasons, including medical. Speak to your dermatologist about any mole that looks suspicious or that you’re not happy with.
Myth 5: Ripping of a mole will cause cancer
There is no research that indicates your risk of cancer will increase if you happen to rip a mole off. If you have injured one of your moles though, it is best to see a dermatologist who can evaluate your skin.
Myth 6: Surgical mole excision is an outdated procedure
Scalpels are still one of the most effective tools for removing moles, which is why so many dermatologists still use the surgical excision method. Removing moles this way will also allow your doctor to have the mole analysed for abnormal cells.
Myth 7: Freckles are not something to worry about
Even if you were born with freckles, it’s still important to protect your skin from the sun and to have it checked out by a professional dermatologist on a regular basis. The same applies to birthmarks – even though they don’t generally pose a risk, it’s still important to keep an eye on them.
Myth 8: Injured moles should always be removed
If you do injure a mole, be sure to keep it clean and to make an appointment with a dermatologist sooner rather than later. This doesn’t necessarily mean the mole needs to be removed, it will, however, need to be examined.