For over a decade, I taught dermatology. In my practice as a cosmetologist, I had the opportunity to work in close contact with the skin of hundreds of clients — and it was precisely that closeness that twice allowed me to notice changes requiring urgent medical consultation. Both people saw a dermatologist. Both began treatment. That is reason enough to take this subject seriously and speak about it plainly.
This is an informational article. I am not a doctor. If anything on your skin causes you concern — see a dermatologist. Not tomorrow. Immediately.
What exactly is melanoma?
Malignant melanoma is a tumour originating from melanocytes — the cells responsible for producing pigment in the skin. It can arise on healthy skin, but it can also develop from an existing mole. That is precisely why monitoring your own body makes sense: changes do not usually appear overnight, and early detection dramatically improves outcomes.
Melanoma is a tumour capable of metastasising, and its aggressiveness is related to how deeply it infiltrates the skin. The earlier it is detected, the greater the chance of successful treatment. This is not meant to frighten — it is a fact that makes it worth knowing what to look for.
The ABCDE rule — what should catch your attention
Dermatologists have long used a simple guideline to help assess a mole. Remember five letters:
A for Asymmetry — a healthy mole is usually symmetrical. If one half differs from the other, it is worth having it checked.
B for Border — smooth, regular edges are a good sign. Ragged, uneven, or spreading borders deserve attention.
C for Colour — a uniform, single-coloured lesion is less concerning than one displaying multiple shades: brown, black, red, white, or blue-grey.
D for Diameter — lesions larger than 6 millimetres in diameter (roughly the size of a pencil eraser) warrant monitoring. Smaller lesions can also be dangerous, but this is a threshold worth pausing at.
E for Evolution — this is often the most important signal. A mole that is changing — growing, shifting in colour or shape, beginning to itch, bleed, or crust over — requires medical assessment without delay.
You do not need to be a specialist to notice that something has changed. You simply need to know your own body.
Who is at higher risk?
The risk of developing melanoma is not distributed evenly. There are characteristics and circumstances that increase the likelihood of its appearance. Knowing about them is not meant to cause fear — it is meant to support informed observation.
Fair skin, a tendency to freckle, and difficulty tanning are factors statistically associated with higher risk. People with a large number of moles — particularly those with an irregular appearance, known as atypical or dysplastic naevi — should remain under regular dermatological care. The same applies to anyone with a close relative who has had melanoma.
Sunburns — especially those experienced in childhood and adolescence, when the skin is particularly vulnerable — increase risk throughout life. The same applies to the use of sunbeds, which emit UV radiation at levels incomparable to natural sunlight.
It is also worth remembering that melanoma can appear in places we do not usually check: under the nails, on the soles of the feet, on mucous membranes, or in intimate areas. This is why it is worth taking a careful look at the entire body from time to time — not only the parts routinely exposed.
On the sun — without going to extremes
Sun exposure does influence melanoma risk — that is a fact. But it does not mean the sun should be feared or avoided at all costs. Exposure to sunlight has its biological rationale, and common sense is sufficient in most cases: avoiding burns, exercising particular caution during peak sun hours, ensuring children do not experience severe sunburns. Melanoma is not a punishment for living life outdoors.
Check your moles regularly
Skin self-examination requires no specialist equipment. Good lighting, a large mirror, and a quiet moment are enough — once a month is sufficient. Examine your whole body: your back, your scalp, the spaces between your toes, the soles of your feet. If you have someone close by, ask them to help with hard-to-see areas.
Do it regularly, so you have a point of reference. A mole that has always looked the same is something entirely different from one that is changing.
One rule worth following
If something concerns you — see a dermatologist. Do not wait for a lesion to grow. Do not wait for it to "disappear on its own." Do not search the internet for answers, and do not ask a cosmetologist instead of a doctor. A dermatologist has the tools and knowledge to properly assess a mole. A visit that turns out to be unnecessary costs you only time. A visit you postponed may cost considerably more.
My two identifications were not the result of specialist diagnostics. They were the result of attentiveness and close contact with skin during everyday work. That same attentiveness is something you can practise for yourself.
Katarzyna Gwizdal, MSc, cosmetologist, Skin Laser