Moles and skin tags are both skin growths generally associated with cosmetic imperfection. Skin tags and moles may become irritated and bleed when chaffed by clothing or if you shave over them. Some people choose to have them removed for this reason, if not out of aesthetic concern. If you have a mole, you may need to keep a closer eye on it. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) cautions that melanoma, a potentially deadly type of skin cancer, may develop in or around moles.
Skin Tags
Skin tags, also known as acrochordons or fibroepithelial polyps, are harmless, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These growths typically appear in places on the body where the skin rubs together, such as the neck, armpits and other areas. Skin tags are generally small, says the NIH, although some may grow up to a half inch in length. The fleshy "tag" protrudes from the skin from a slender stalk that's attached to the epidermis. Skin tags are usually the same color as the rest of your skin, although some may be darker. They don't change in size.
Moles
Moles have a variety of presentations, says the AAD, and can be found on any part of your body, including your scalp. They can be flat or raised, small or extremely large, flesh-toned or in a host of colors--tan, pink, brown and black--that make them stand out against your skin. Some moles may even sprout hair. Unlike skin tags, moles can change over time; they can get larger, or they can disappear entirely. Moles can be present when you emerge from the womb, says the AAD, which estimates that 1 of every 100 people is born with at least one mole. But you can also acquire moles. The NIH states that most people have between 10 and 40 moles.
Who Gets Them?
Skin tags develop on your skin, usually during middle age, says the NIH. Although anyone can get them, skin tags are more common in people who are overweight and those with diabetes. Moles are also very common in people of all ages, but light-skinned individuals tend to have more of them. You may develop new moles from time to time, generally until you reach middle age.
Are They Dangerous?
A true skin tag is benign in nature--that is to say, it won't result in skin cancer. The NIH states that doctors can often diagnose skin tags simply by looking at them, although skin tags with a suspicious appearance may be biopsied. The AAD states that many moles are also nonthreatening, but some are associated with a greater risk for melanoma. These include congenital moles larger than 20 cm in diameter and atypical moles--those with irregular borders that are larger than a pencil eraser. These moles tend to have irregular coloring, with numerous mixed hues of tan, brown, pink and red. Acquired moles are generally benign, but if you have many of them--more than 50 to 100--you're at greater risk for getting skin cancer, according to the AAD.
Treatment
Medical procedures to remove skin tags may include cryotherapy (freezing the growth with liquid nitrogen), cauterization and surgical removal, says the NIH. The most common way to remove a mole is through shave excision, says the AAD, in which the mole is removed with a surgical blade and the skin sutured shut. Never try to remove a skin growth yourself; this could result in infection and scarring. If a mole is cancerous, your doctor may need to provide additional treatment so cancer won't spread, says the AAD.
Fun Facts
Common moles aren't necessarily a cosmetic detractor. When located near the eyes or lips, a mole is referred to as a "beauty mark," because it draws attention to these features. Sizzling sexpots of the cinema with beauty marks include Marylin Monroe, Sherilyn Fenn, Jean Harlow and Elizabeth Taylor.
