Luisa Martos, dermatologist: "Sun protection is effective, but it's not foolproof on its own."

In 2024, the incidence of melanoma increased by more than 7,800 cases , according to the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM). These data have placed skin cancer as the eighth most diagnosed cancer in our country . In this sense, sun exposure continues to be the wake-up call for many dermatologists , who, like Luisa Martos , recommend close monitoring of moles or spots after spending long hours in the sun, especially when summer arrives. From 20minutos , we spoke with the dermatologist from the Dermatology Unit at ENEA Clínica to answer many of our patients' concerns .

Can the sun make moles appear or grow and change their color?

When the summer heat arrives, those with more moles or a predisposition to them ask themselves the same question: How does the sun affect the growth of my mole? Can more appear? The truth is, according to dermatologist Martos, yes. " Sun exposure can stimulate the appearance of new moles , especially in young people or those with a genetic predisposition, and can cause some existing moles to darken or grow slightly," she explains to 20minutos .

But what does this really mean? To understand it, we need to understand the effect the sun has on our skin. "This occurs due to the effect of UV rays on melanocytes (melanin-producing cells). However, a sudden change in size, shape, color, or border should be evaluated by a dermatologist, as it could be a sign of atypia or melanoma ," she adds.

Is sunscreen enough to protect moles?

Sunscreen is and should be mandatory 365 days a year. However, summer is the season in which it's most important to emphasize its use. Hours of sun exposure on beaches and pools expose the skin to a process that, in the worst cases, can cause sunburn. There's no doubt that using sunscreen is completely effective, but protection goes much further. "Sun protection is effective, but it's not infallible on its own," admits Martos, while recommending the following points for complete protection against moles:

What should I do if the sun burns part of the skin where I have moles?

In the worst cases, sun-exposed skin can suffer mild burns, and in other cases, severe burns. This manifests as a change in skin color to red, often accompanied by pain and itching . In this sense, this affected area may coincide with areas of moles that have also been affected by the effects of the sun. In this regard, the dermatology expert gives 20minutos the keys to follow in this situation:

" Repeated sunburns are a risk factor for developing skin cancer, so it's essential to protect yourself well during future exposure," Martos reminds us.

What is the best way to monitor moles?

Monitoring moles is the top recommendation of dermatologists. Although some may not present any problems, locating and studying our moles is the best way to prevent the development of melanoma. Therefore, experts like Martos always recommend the ABCDE rule for conducting a complete, step-by-step self-examination .

In addition, the expert recommends that 20minutos readers take follow-up photographs in good lighting and have an annual dermatological checkup . However, if you have atypical moles or a family history of them, the dermatologist recommends undergoing a digital dermoscopy . "This technique allows moles to be observed with a special camera that magnifies and details their internal structure, which is not visible to the naked eye. These images are saved on a computer and compared with future checkups to detect minor changes," she explains.

How many types of moles are there and which are the most dangerous?

The truth is that several types of moles can be seen in dermatology consultations, but there are two that, according to the dermatologist, require more vigilance: "dysplastic nevi or moles with suspicious changes." Thus, in general, the following can be found:

What type of mole is most commonly seen in a melanoma diagnosis?

"Although most melanomas arise on healthy skin, it has been observed that some types of moles are more common in melanoma diagnoses," explains Luisa Martos. The expert points to the aforementioned dysplastic or atypical nevus as the type of mole that has the greatest "risk of transforming into melanoma."

However, the risk is not limited to that, as the dermatologist also points to "people with multiple moles (more than 50) and people with fair skin or a history of sunburn in childhood " as a risk factor.

Furthermore, the specialist points out that "there are forms of melanoma that are more common in certain areas, such as acral lentiginous melanoma, which appears on the palms, soles, or under the nails , especially in people with darker skin."

What are the most common problems encountered in a dermatology consultation?

Prevention is one of the most important aspects of a patient's daily routine. However, appointments are often filled with advanced problems that reveal a lack of skin care. In this regard, dermatologist Luisa Martos tells us that sun exposure is an increasingly common theme among visits, which include the following: