A new or changing spot on your skin is one of the most common reasons people seek a dermatologist. The good news is that the overwhelming majority of moles are benign. The reason to pay attention is simple: when skin cancer is caught early, it's far more treatable. A quick framework helps you decide when a spot is worth a closer look.
The ABCDEs of moles
- Asymmetry — one half doesn't match the other
- Border — edges that are irregular, ragged, or blurred
- Color — more than one color, or uneven shades of brown, black, red, or white
- Diameter — larger than about 6 mm (a pencil eraser), though smaller spots can matter too
- Evolving — any change in size, shape, color, or symptoms like itching or bleeding
The single most important letter is often E. A spot that is changing — or one that simply looks different from all your other moles (the so-called 'ugly duckling') — deserves attention even if it doesn't tick every other box.
How online photo review works — and its limits
A dermatologist can review clear, well-lit photos of a spot and give you informed guidance: reassurance and monitoring advice for low-concern lesions, or a strong recommendation to be seen in person promptly when a lesion has worrying features. Photo review is a triage and guidance tool. It is not a substitute for a biopsy, and a definitive diagnosis of skin cancer requires an in-person exam and, usually, a tissue sample.
At DocBright, you can submit photos and a short history of the spot, and a board-certified dermatologist will review it and tell you the appropriate next step. If your lesion needs hands-on evaluation, we'll say so clearly and direct you to in-person care rather than offering false reassurance.
When to seek in-person care right away
- A spot that is bleeding, crusting, or won't heal
- Rapid change in size, shape, or color over weeks
- A new spot that looks unlike your other moles
- A personal or family history of melanoma plus any concerning change