Skin tags (acrochordons)
- Small, soft, skin-colored flaps on the neck, armpits, eyelids, and groin.
- Harmless and very common, especially with age, friction, pregnancy, and in people with insulin resistance.
- Removal is optional and for comfort or appearance (snip, freeze, cautery in clinic). Do not attempt DIY cutting—risk of bleeding/infection.
Moles (nevi)
- Benign clusters of pigment cells. Most people have 10–40.
- Can be flat or raised, pink to dark brown. New moles are uncommon after age 30.
When to get a mole checked (ABCDE and “Ugly Duckling”)
- A: Asymmetry (one half unlike the other)
- B: Border irregular (ragged or notched)
- C: Color varied (tan, brown, black, red, white, or blue areas)
- D: Diameter larger than 6 mm (pencil eraser)—but small melanomas exist
- E: Evolving (any change in size, shape, color, itching, bleeding, crusting)
- Ugly Duckling: a spot that looks different from your other moles.
Other red flags:
- A new mole after age 30.
- A mole that bleeds or won’t heal.
- A dark streak in a nail, especially if widening or with pigment on the nearby cuticle/skin.
Self-care and monitoring
- Take clear photos every few months of moles you’re watching.
- Practice sun safety: shade, protective clothing, and broad-spectrum SPF 30+.
- Avoid tanning beds.
Removal and biopsy
- If a mole looks suspicious, your clinician may do a small biopsy (quick office procedure) to check under the microscope.
- Cosmetic removal of benign moles/skin tags is possible; ask about costs, scarring, and options.