Freckles and moles are two types of skin spots that have varying causes, shapes, and colors. While most are not harmful, it’s worth talking with a doctor about any spots that develop suddenly or look suspicious.
Freckles and moles are common types of spots that may appear on your skin. Depending on your natural skin tone, they can range in color from pink, red, or blue to brown or black.
While freckles and moles have some similar characteristics, they are not the same. Freckles cannot turn into moles, and they are not cancerous. But certain types of moles can sometimes be early symptoms of
Knowing the key differences between freckles and moles can help you better understand these two conditions and decide when you might want to see a doctor.
Freckles are areas of skin discoloration that form as a result of pigmentation. They are usually small and always flat. In some cases, a freckle might look larger if several small areas of discoloration are close to one another.
The color of freckles can vary by skin tone — some people may develop tan, brown, black, or red freckles. Sometimes, freckles may fade on their own with age. They might even fade during the winter months, when reduced sun exposure causes your skin to produce less melanin.
Types of freckles
There are two types of freckles:
- Age spots: Also called sun spots, liver spots, or lentigines, age spots are freckles that develop over time as a result of sun exposure. You might develop these spots on areas of skin that are frequently exposed to the sun, including your face, hands, and chest.
- Ephelides: These freckles usually develop during early childhood and are most common in people with light skin and red hair. Each ephelis is less than 3 millimeters in diameter, and they often occur in large numbers.
Moles (also called nevi) are skin spots that can be either raised or flat. They’re relatively common and typically develop during childhood. Most adults have at least a few moles — in fact, having 10 to 40 moles is typical.
People with light skin tones are more likely to have numerous moles, but people with dark skin tones can develop them too. Moles might become larger and lighter or darker in color as you age, regardless of your skin tone.
Types of moles
Most moles are common moles, which are considered harmless.
But some moles may be symptoms of melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancers such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.
The following types of moles may increase your risk of developing skin cancer:
- large congenital moles (ones you are born with)
- 50 or more acquired moles (ones you develop after birth)
- atypical moles, which may look similar to melanoma
- a spitz nevus, which is a raised and dome-shaped mole that may be pink, red, brown, or black
Here’s a quick comparison of freckles and moles:
| Raised | Flat | Vary in color | Congenital | Acquired | May fade | Most common on face | Can be cancerous | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freckles | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Moles | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (not commonly) | ✓ |
While moles may sometimes be cancerous, freckles are not associated with any health problems.
Not all moles are harmful. But it’s a good idea to see a doctor right away if any spots on your skin are concerning or bothering you. Skin cancer is the
It’s also helpful to know the ABCDEs of melanoma. This abbreviation represents the many possible warning signs of melanoma, as outlined by the American Academy of Dermatology:
- Asymmetry: One half of the mole or freckle looks different from the other.
- Border: The mole has an undefined or irregular border.
- Color: The mole may be varying shades of brown, black, tan, red, blue, or white, depending on your skin tone.
- Diameter: Most melanomas are the size of a pencil eraser (about 6 millimeters) or larger.
- Evolving: The suspicious skin spot may be changing in size, color, or symmetry.
Consider keeping track of any suspicious spots on your skin with a journal or an electronic log. This can help you identify changes that warrant a visit to a dermatologist for further evaluation.
It can be useful to take photos of any moles you’re concerned about and show your dermatologist. A partner or friend could help you take photos of any areas that are harder to reach, like your back.
Consider contacting a doctor or a dermatologist if you’re concerned about any moles or freckles. In particular, you may want to make an appointment if:
- a mole or freckle appears suddenly and is changing rapidly
- an existing mole is changing and looks asymmetrical
- one mole looks a lot different from the others you have
- a mole itches or bleeds
Additionally, dermatologists recommend getting a skin evaluation if you’re 30 years old or older and you have a new mole or one that is rapidly changing.
It’s a good idea to visit a dermatologist once per year for a skin cancer screening. They might recommend more frequent screenings if you have a higher risk of skin cancer or a history of skin cancer.
The sooner doctors detect melanoma or another skin cancer, the easier it is to treat.
Freckles and moles are two common types of skin spots that can appear more often as you age. While you can be born with moles, freckles tend to develop throughout your life.
Freckles are flat spots that might become more prominent or numerous with sun exposure, but they cannot turn into cancerous moles. A mole can be present at birth or develop later and might sometimes indicate cancer, though most are harmless.
It’s always a good idea to have a dermatologist check out any suspicious or rapidly changing spot on your skin.