Moles Will They Go Away?

Dear Dr. Dave and Dr. Dee,

I have 8 moles on my back and one on my neck and wonder if these will ever go away. Is this unusual to have so many? Will I get more?

Signed,

Mole skin

Dear Mole skin,

Moles are common and most people have some. Your 9 moles are not very many. Some people can have 40 or more and it is not unheard of to have 100. Most moles appear before age 20, and generally will not disappear on their own. Moles can be removed by a doctor for medical reasons such as irritation or potential skin cancer or cosmetic concerns such as a mole on the face or unattractive hairy mole. However, in some cases, moles might slowly fade, disappear, or become raised and fall off, but this may not happen until the 50 year life cycle of the mole has passed (AAD: American Academy of Dermatology, 2009).

New moles can grow as one ages. The best way to prevent new moles is to avoid ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds, not sunbathe, and wear sunscreen with SFP 15 or higher. In addition, avoiding UV rays will also help prevent skin cancer and wrinkles.

Always regularly examine your moles for any changes in shape, color, and size that may indicate a skin cancer or melanoma. If you do see these changes, then see your doctor immediately. For more information about melanoma, see the letter below, Moles and Skin Cancer – ABCDE Warning Signs."