Mole Check 101: What to Look For Between Dermatology Visits

Seeing your dermatologist once a year for a skin check is essential—but skin cancer doesn’t stick to a schedule. Performing simple self-exams between visits can help you catch changes early, sometimes even before your doctor does. In fact, many melanomas are first spotted by patients themselves. With just a mirror and a few minutes, you can play a vital role in protecting your skin health year-round.

IN THIS ARTICLE:

• The ABCDEs of Mole Changes
• The ‘Ugly Duckling’ Rule: A Simple Shortcut
• How to Do a Self-Exam at Home (Step by Step) 
• Red Flags: When to Call a Dermatologist Immediately 
• Track Your Moles with Photos (Made Easy) 
• Who’s at Higher Risk for Dangerous Moles? 
• Local Dermatology Care in Northern Colorado
• Mole Check 101 FAQs 

The ABCDE rule is a simple way to spot moles that may signal melanoma—the most serious form of skin cancer. Each letter stands for a red flag to watch for during your self-checks:

• A – Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn’t match the other. If you imagine folding it in half and the sides look different, that’s a warning sign.
  
• B – Border: Healthy moles have smooth, even edges. A mole with jagged, blurred, or irregular borders could be concerning.
  
• C – Color: Most harmless moles are a single shade of brown. Watch for multiple colors like tan, dark brown, red, white, or even blue.
  
• D – Diameter: Be cautious with moles larger than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser).
  
• E – Evolving: Changes are key. If a mole shifts in size, shape, or color—or becomes itchy, tender, or painful—it needs attention.

Tip: Keep the ABCDE rule in mind during your monthly skin checks. Spotting changes early gives you the best chance of catching melanoma before it becomes more serious.

Most of your moles will look pretty similar in size, shape, and color. The “ugly duckling” is the one that stands out. Maybe it’s darker, larger, or shaped differently than the rest. For example, if you have ten small, light-brown moles but one that’s noticeably bigger or irregular, that spot deserves a closer look.

The ugly duckling rule works hand-in-hand with the ABCDE method. It’s not a replacement for a professional skin exam, but it’s a smart at-home tool to help you spot potential warning signs of melanoma early.

A regular skin self-exam is one of the best ways to catch issues early. Doctors recommend doing this at least once a month or more frequently for people at high risk of skin cancer. All you need is a well-lit room, a full-length mirror, a hand mirror, and a partner to help you check other hard-to-see areas. 

Here’s a step-by-step routine you can follow:

1. Start with your scalp: Use a blow dryer or a comb to part your hair and check your scalp. If it’s hard to do using a mirror, have your partner look at it for you. 
2. Look at your torso: Stand in front of a large mirror and examine your chest, stomach, and sides. Women must also check the area underneath their breasts. 
3. Check your arms: Raise your right arm and inspect the underarms, elbows, palms, and between the fingers. Do the same thing with your left arm.
4. Examine your legs: Use a hand mirror to check your front and back thighs, calves, and each side of the legs. 
5. Scan your soles: Look at the bottoms of your feet and between your toes. You can also use a hand mirror for this. 
6. Check your nails: Finally, inspect your toenails and fingernails for any spots or dark streaks. 

Following these skin self-exam steps will help you locate abnormal spots on your body and bring them to your doctor’s attention right away.

Certain mole changes may signal the early stages of skin cancer. Early detection can improve the chance of successful cancer treatment. Consult your dermatologist if you notice these warning signs:

• Rapid growth: A small mole suddenly gets noticeably larger after a few weeks. 
• Bleeding: A spot is oozing with blood or clear fluid, even without injury. 
• Itching or pain: A mole appears inflamed, feeling itchy and painful.    
• Crusting: It has a rough surface and lumpy texture. Scabbing may also occur.
• New spots: Abnormal skin cells divide uncontrollably, so new spots can form near the problematic mole. 

Types of Melanoma and Their Warning Signs

• Superficial spreading melanoma: Dark spots that expand or change shape over time.
  
• Nodular melanoma: Raised bumps in dark brown, red, or pink that grow quickly.
  
• Lentigo maligna melanoma: Flat or irregular patches on sun-exposed skin (face, arms), more common in older adults.
  
• Acral lentiginous melanoma: Spots on palms, soles, or under the nails—areas not typically exposed to sunlight.

Treatment Options: Suspicious moles are typically removed through shave removal, surgical excision, or Mohs surgery—the gold standard for treating certain skin cancers.

Bottom line: Regular self-exams paired with yearly dermatologist visits give you the best chance of catching melanoma early, when it’s most treatable.

You can’t rely on memory when monitoring your skin. Some changes are so subtle that they’re hard to notice. That’s where photos come in handy. Taking snaps can help track mole evolution.

Here are tips on how to take photos for tracking your moles. 

1. Use the same lighting and angle‍

Snap a photo of a mole near a window where there’s enough natural light or use a bright lamp to keep the lighting consistent. Doing this makes the details or signs of suspicious moles easier to see.

2. Place a coin or ruler next to the mole

To track size changes more accurately, place a coin or ruler next to the mole in each photo. You can easily monitor if the mole has grown in width or diameter. ‍

3. Save and name the photo

For better mole photo tracking, name the file with the date it’s taken — for example, “LeftLeg_Sep2025.” Organizing images this way is practical when comparing images over time. 

With reliable photos, you can personally track changing moles and also provide your dermatologist with accurate visuals to review. 

Certain groups of people are predisposed to melanoma and other types of skin cancer. If your risk is high, skin checks should be part of your regular health exam. 

• People with a family or personal history: If melanoma runs in the family or you’ve had it before, there’s a high chance that dangerous moles can recur.
• Light skin, eyes, or hair: If you have pale skin, blue eyes, and blond hair, your body has less natural protection from harmful UV rays, which increases your risk of skin cancer.
• Multiple atypical moles: People with several irregularly shaped moles are also more likely than those with fewer moles to develop melanoma. 
• Immunosuppression: If you’re taking medications that suppress or weaken the activity of the immune system, your body will struggle to fight abnormal cell growth. 
• Heavy sun exposure: Going out in the sun without any protection or using a tanning bed regularly can take a toll on your skin. 

Skin experts recommend a professional skin test every six months for those at higher risk. 

The sooner you find an abnormal spot, the more treatment options you can try, often resulting in better outcomes. If you’re at high risk, regular checkups with your trusted dermatologist are important in preventing complications.    

Altitude Dermatology offers expert care close to home. Whether you need help checking a mole or spotting signs of skin cancer, our team is here to guide you. Noticed a mole change? Don’t wait — schedule a skin check with our dermatology team in Johnstown, Longmont, or Fort Collins today!