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Can A Mole On Skin Disappear Or Fall Off? ~ Yes, It Can


Being Fair Skinned, I've Had Moles All My Life

Being a fair-skinned person can lead to skin problems that others with darker complexions might never be able to relate to. Skin that is naturally light contains less melanin and is prone to things like sunburn, freckles, and of course, moles. I've had moles all my life. Most were in places like my lower back. I even had a couple of them surgically removed from my lower back area. Others have been on my arms and shoulders. I do also have one small mole on my face that I'm able to hide pretty well with makeup.

I remember one time when I was in my 20's, I had a mole surgically removed from my back and I swore I would never do that again. The doctor who removed it was a general practitioner, not a dermatologist, and he ended up really cutting into my back. I was left with several stitches and a pretty big scar that took decades to fade though I can barely notice it now.

At the time, though, I swore I would never go back to that doctor for another mole removal. Keep in mind that this was back in the late 1970's, so medicine has changed a lot since then. If I needed to see a doctor today for mole removal, I would definitely choose a dermatologist who has experience in removing them.

Mole removal today can be done in three ways. A mole can be removed by laser treatment, which is usually done if the mole is in a very noticeable place. It can also be shaved off and cauterized or surgically removed. Afterward, the mole is sent to a lab to be tested for cancer. I definitely advise going to see a dermatologist in the case of any type of questionable mole on one's body.

With my history of moles, it didn't surprise me much when later in life I developed two moles on my neck. One was lower down on my neck while the other was almost at the chin line. The one at the chin line was pretty big. I never dreamed that one might just go away one day, but it did. It didn't just happen overnight. It took probably about two months for it to completely go away.

It began with slight itching, and if I scratched, little bits would flake off. I thought that was strange, but didn't focus on it too much. It didn't bother me except for the occasional itching. It would also occasionally bleed, but only a very little. It was never enough to warrant any alarm. It kept just "sloughing" off (for lack of a better way to describe it) until there was just one small piece left of it. And then that piece came off.

Ever since then, I have a light and slowly fading pink spot where the mole was. That seemed strange to me. I was going to see a doctor in a couple months anyway and was going to see if she could recommend a dermatologist to remove the mole for me. I don't have to do that now, because it is gone! It basically disappeared on its own. So, that led me to wonder if this really does happen or if it's just a strange thing that happened to me?

After some research, I did find that moles can, indeed, just disappear. It can happen to older adults once their skin has settled, and no more new moles are growing on the skin. In some cases, it happens due to the body's immune system attacking the mole and removing it naturally. Whatever the reason, I'm just glad that mine's gone!

In the picture below, you can see one mole down lower on my neck. Above it, about an inch, maybe 1 1/2 inches is the pink spot where a large, brown, raised mole used to be. The yellowish tinge in the picture is from the camera flash... I probably should have taken the picture without flash. But, you can see in this picture that all I have left is a pinkish spot where this mole used to be.

Moles Really Can Disappear!

The place where two moles used to be, now this one is just a pink spot that keeps fading as weeks go by. It is about an inch above my other mole, that I still have. The one that disappeared used to be a fairly large, raised brown mole.


What I've Learned About Moles Is Interesting

I've learned a lot about moles because of this experience. Moles are areas of melanocytes that have built up on a spot on the skin over time, eventually giving them that raised appearance. They can range in color from nearly black to brown to light brown to red. They should be watched by a dermatologist and it is advised to have moles checked once a year. Moles that change, grow, develop irregular borders, bleed, and even itch should be checked out. Most moles are benign and harmless, but the ones that do turn into cancerous moles can be extremely dangerous, making regular dermatologist visits advisable.

Another skin anomaly, known as skin tags, are normally caused by an area of skin being repeatedly rubbed by other areas of skin over time. Skin tags are usually always benign and typically develop in folds of skin. I do have one skin tag on my lower back. One hallmark of skin tags is that they are flesh colored and not brown, reddish, or black like moles. They are small, benign tumors of the skin. There are also ways to remove skin tags just like there are ways to remove moles.

The skin is one area of the body that is constantly changing over the years. Moles most often first develop and go through changes earlier on in life. Once a person becomes middle aged, any moles accumulated over time are established and don't usually change much in middle age. Sometimes, however, a mole can disappear the way mine did. Many factors affect skin changes including exposure to the sun. It is extremely important to use a good sunscreen to protect your skin when outdoors, especially those who live in a sunny climate.


Mary from From the land of Chocolate Chips,and all other things sweet. on August 18, 2016:

I have moles on my neck and under arm I have had a couple fall off myself as well. I wish all of them would fall off, I don't mind the ones on my neck but the one under my arm drives me crazy.

Yukie on February 21, 2015:

If you want them removed go to a daermtologist. Fooling with them can cause them to get infected. If you get them removed there is a chance you would have a scar. Which do you like better a scar or a mole?

KathyH (author) from Waukesha, Wisconsin on February 09, 2013:

Thanks, Dianna, it's nice to know when stuff happens like this that we're not the only one it's happened to. Glad this post was helpful! :) Thanks for commenting!

Dianna Mendez on February 09, 2013:

I had one just fall off when I was a pre-teen. It was kind of scary for me as I didn't know what it was and why it suddenly just fell off. It so nice to have the laser treatment options today. Great post!

KathyH (author) from Waukesha, Wisconsin on February 04, 2013:

Thanks for your funny comment, Lou! :)

Lou Tucci on February 04, 2013:

I lost a most a few years back also! It was like, attached to my hip, but I finally got rid of it...I got divorced!


Thank you, Bake Like a Pro, glad you were able to learn something new! Thanks so much for your comment, I appreciate it! :)


Thanks, Roger for your great comment. It was a little scary! I thought it was so strange so I had to find out if it happens to others, too. Thanks so much! :)

Bake Like a Pro on February 03, 2013:

Very interesting article Kathy. I never knew moles could fall off. Voted up and sharing :)

Roger A Sanchez Jr from Sequoyah County of Oklahoma on February 03, 2013:

Yes, I have a mole that just fell out. Scary but it happens!