MOLES, THE SUN AND SKIN CANCER
A mole, also called a naevus, consists of a mass of brown-coloured cells that are generally found in the skin or mucus membranes. Known as melanocytes, these are the cells behind tanning or dark skin. Children have no moles when they are born. They begin to appear between the age of six months and a year and then continue to appear until adulthood.
It is important not to panic when it comes to moles; not all of them are cancerous. Normal moles are usually evenly colored brown or black spots on the skin and they can have different characteristics: round or oval, flat or raised, etc. The point to pay attention to is that they usually keep the same characteristic over many years; if their size, shape, color or texture starts to change, or if a new spot that looks different from the rest shows up, it might be an indication of a developing melanoma, at which point a dermatologist should be consulted.
Moles and the sun: a bad combination
Between childhood and adolescence, sun exposure influences the number of moles that can appear on the skin as well as their size. However, the more moles a person has, the greater their risk of developing a skin cancer, since 35% of skin cancers actually develop from a pre-existing mole1. It is therefore essential to effectively protect children and adolescents from the sun to minimize the appearance of new moles. Developed to cater for their specific skin needs, Anthelios Dermo Kids SPF 50 is a kids sunscreen lotion that offers broad spectrum face and body protection, keeping the risk of sun damage at bay. Suitable for sensitive skin and sun-intolerant skin, this sunscreen for kids is the first step in the right direction to avoid sun damage issues in the future.
In addition, overexposure of existing moles to the sun influences the development of lesions that may turn out to be cancerous. It is therefore also important to adopt good habits and consistently apply sunscreen to protect your moles from UVA and UVB rays, just as you do with your skin.
Protect your moles
"To meet these particularly demanding needs, La Roche-Posay laboratory formulated the Anthelios range of sunscreens that combine very high UVA and UVB protection. Anthelios comes in a range of textures to meet the needs and expectations of the most sensitive skin. Looking for a fast-absorbing tinted cream, an ultra-light fluid gel, a smooth milk or a sunscreen specially designed for children's skin? Visit the sun diagnosis to find the protection best suited to you. To help you stay vigilant and keep an eye on your moles, the Mole Checker developed by La Roche-Posay allows you to map your moles and monitor their evolution between dermatologists' visits. Remember, the earlier skin cancer is detected, the greater the chances are of it being cured."
