Key takeaways
- Normal moles are usually round or oval, one even colour, with smooth edges, and stay the same over years. They tend to look darker on brown skin.
- Use the ABCDE signs: Asymmetry, Border, Colour, Diameter over about 6 mm, and Evolving (changing).
- In darker skin, the most common type of melanoma appears on the palms, soles or under the nails, and it is often found late.
- A new dark band in a fingernail or toenail, especially if the pigment spreads onto the skin around the nail, needs a doctor's check.
- Do not remove a mole at home or with "mole removal" pens or creams. A doctor should examine it first, and some removed moles should be sent for testing.
What is a normal mole?
A mole is a small cluster of pigment cells. Most people have some. The NHS notes that new moles often appear in childhood and the teenage years, that they can fade with age, and that they may darken slightly in pregnancy. Harmless moles are often round or oval with smooth edges, flat or raised, and tend to look darker on brown and black skin.
So a dark mole on brown skin is not, by itself, worrying. What matters is whether it is different from your other moles, and whether it is changing.
What are the ABCDE warning signs?
The American Academy of Dermatology uses ABCDE to describe signs that a spot could be melanoma, the serious type of skin cancer:
| Letter | Sign | What it means in plain words |
|---|---|---|
| A | Asymmetry | One half looks different from the other half |
| B | Border | The edge is uneven, wavy or hard to define |
| C | Colour | Several colours in one spot: brown, black, tan, or patches of red, white or blue |
| D | Diameter | Usually larger than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser), though some are smaller |
| E | Evolving | It looks different from your other moles, or is changing in size, shape or colour |
The NHS adds that a mole should be checked if it is painful, itchy, inflamed, bleeding or crusty, and if a new or unusual mark has not gone away after a few weeks.
I also use one more simple idea, sometimes called the "ugly duckling": a mole that looks unlike all your other moles deserves a look, even if it ticks none of the boxes.
Why do palms, soles and nails matter more in Indian skin?
This is very important to understand. In fair-skinned people, melanoma is mostly linked to sun exposure and appears on the back, legs and face. In brown and dark skin, melanoma is much less common overall, but when it does occur, it is more often on the palms, soles or under the nails.
DermNet explains that acral lentiginous melanoma, the type that appears on these sites, is the least common subtype overall, but the most common subtype in darker-skinned people, making up 40 to 60 percent of melanoma diagnoses in Asian and African-American populations. It is usually diagnosed at a more advanced stage, partly because the soles are hard to check and because early spots are mistaken for a bruise, a callus or a wart.
What to look for: - A new brown or black spot on the sole or palm in an adult, especially one that is growing or has uneven colour. - A dark line running along a fingernail or toenail, particularly if it is new, widening, or in only one nail. - Pigment spreading from under the nail onto the skin fold around it. DermNet describes this as Hutchinson sign, a clue to melanoma. - A sore on the foot that does not heal, or a "wart" or "corn" that bleeds or keeps changing.
Many Indians have harmless brown lines in several nails, which are common in darker skin and often present since early adult life. A single new or changing band is the one to check.
How do I check my own moles?
Basically, once a month, in good light: 1. Look at your face, scalp (ask someone to help), neck, chest and tummy. 2. Check your back and the backs of your legs with a mirror, or ask a family member. 3. Look at your palms, between your fingers and under your fingernails. 4. Check the soles of your feet, between your toes and under your toenails. 5. Take phone photos of any mole you are unsure about, with a ruler or coin for scale, so you can compare next month.
Remove nail polish occasionally so you can see the nails properly.
What happens when a doctor checks a mole?
Normally, a doctor examines the mole closely, often with a magnifying lens called a dermatoscope, which shows the pattern of pigment under the surface. Most moles I check are reassuring, and we simply photograph and review them later if needed. If a mole looks suspicious, the right step is to remove it, or a sample of it, and send it to a laboratory, or to refer you promptly to a specialist. The NHS notes that if melanoma is suspected, you should be referred to a hospital specialist, with a target of being seen within two weeks.
Can I get a mole removed for cosmetic reasons?
Yes, if a doctor has first confirmed that it looks harmless. People ask to remove moles that catch on clothes, get nicked while shaving, or bother them on the face. The method depends on the mole: a small shave or cautery for raised moles, or a small surgical excision for some. On brown skin, any removal can leave a mark, light or dark, and sometimes a small scar, so I discuss this before starting.
What I will not do is burn off a mole that looks suspicious without testing it. And please avoid "mole remover" pens, acid creams and home cauterising. They can leave scars and, worse, destroy a mole that needed to be tested.
How we approach this at Dr Tvacha
Removal of unwanted growths is part of our skin services. At a Rs 499 skin consultation I examine the moles that worry you, and your palms, soles and nails if needed. If anything looks suspicious, I will tell you clearly and refer you to the right specialist for testing without delay. If a mole is harmless and you want it removed, you get the method, likely mark and fee in writing first. The approach is on the Second Layer Skin Plan page, and our centres are in Thane, Andheri, Bandra and Dahisar. For other growths, see skin tags and warts.
Frequently asked questions
Is a mole that suddenly appeared dangerous?
Not necessarily. New moles are common in children and young adults. But a new mole appearing in adulthood, or one that looks different from your other moles, deserves a check. If it is growing, has uneven colour or edges, or itches or bleeds, see a doctor soon rather than waiting to see what happens.
Should I worry about a black line on my nail?
Many Indians have harmless brown bands in several nails, often present for years. A single new band, one that is widening, darkening or irregular, or one where the pigment spreads onto the skin around the nail, should be checked by a doctor promptly. These can be signs of melanoma under the nail, which is more common in darker skin than people realise.
Can a mole on the sole of my foot be cancer?
Most moles on the soles are harmless. However, in brown and dark skin, melanoma is more likely to appear on the soles, palms and nails than elsewhere, and it is often found late. A new or changing spot on the sole, one with uneven colour or edges, or a sore that will not heal, should be examined by a doctor without delay.
Does removing a mole make it cancerous?
No. Removing a mole does not cause cancer. What matters is that a doctor examines it first, and that any mole with worrying features is sent to a laboratory after removal. The real risk comes from removing a suspicious mole at home or with a burning method that leaves nothing to test, which can delay a diagnosis.
How often should I check my moles?
Once a month is a reasonable habit, in good light, including your palms, soles, between the toes and under the nails. Take phone photos of any mole you want to track. If you have many moles, a family history of melanoma or a changing spot, ask a doctor to check you and to advise how often you need review.
Written by
Dr Amit KarkhanisAesthetic Physician · MBBS, Dip. Dermatology (UK) · Reg. No. 2001/02/1124Founder of Dr Tvacha, practising in Thane since 2005. Leads the weight loss and hair programmes.
Sources
- Moles, NHS
- What to look for: ABCDEs of melanoma, American Academy of Dermatology
- Acral lentiginous melanoma, DermNet
- Viral wart, DermNet
This article is for general education and does not replace a consultation. Medicines and treatments are prescribed only after a doctor's assessment. Last reviewed 25 October 2026.