The short answer
Most moles are harmless. A mole needs a doctor's check if it is new in adult life, changing in size, shape or colour, has an irregular edge or several colours, bleeds, itches or crusts. On dark skin, melanoma most often appears on the soles of the feet, the palms, or as a dark streak under a nail, so check those places too.
Book mole removal, from ₦150,000Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
The ABCDE check
Look at your moles in good light. See a doctor if a mole has:
- A: Asymmetry, the two halves do not match
- B: Border that is ragged, notched or blurred
- C: Colour that is uneven, with several shades of brown, black, red or grey
- D: Diameter larger than about 6mm, the width of a pencil eraser, though melanomas can be smaller
- E: Evolving, any change in size, shape, colour, or new bleeding, itching or crusting
Melanoma on dark skin
Skin cancer is less common on Black skin, but when melanoma does occur it is often found late, because people and doctors do not look in the right places. On dark skin it most often appears on the sole of the foot, the palm, between the toes, or under a nail as a dark brown or black line that widens or spreads onto the skin around the nail.
A dark patch on the sole that is growing, or a sore on the foot that does not heal, should not be put down to a thorn or 'ordinary wound'. Get it examined.
Moles that are usually harmless
Small, round, evenly coloured moles that have looked the same for years are usually harmless. Many people of African descent also have small dark raised spots on the cheeks called dermatosis papulosa nigra, which are harmless and are not moles. A doctor can tell them apart.
How safe removal works
A mole is removed under local anaesthetic, either by shaving it flat or by cutting it out with a small margin and stitching the skin. Any mole removed because of concern is sent to the laboratory, so you know exactly what it was. If it was a melanoma, early removal and the right follow-up matter a great deal.
Avoid roadside 'mole burning', acid creams and salves sold to remove moles. They can scar, they destroy the tissue so it cannot be tested, and a melanoma treated this way can be missed.
Scars on dark skin
Every removal leaves a mark. On dark skin scars can become darker, raised, or form keloids, especially on the chest, shoulders and ear lobes. Tell your surgeon if you have had keloids before. For a harmless mole removed for looks, weigh the scar against the mole.
What it costs on Mezo
Day case. Histology included.
Common questions
Is it dangerous to remove a mole?
Removal by a trained doctor under local anaesthetic is a small, safe procedure. The main downsides are a scar and a small chance of infection.
I have a black line under my toenail. Should I worry?
Dark lines in nails are common on dark skin and are often harmless, especially when several nails have them. A single line that is new, widening, or spreading onto the skin around the nail should be checked soon.
Will the mole grow back?
A shaved mole can sometimes regrow some colour. A mole cut out fully rarely returns. If a removed mole comes back, show it to the doctor again.
How much is mole removal on Mezo?
Mole removal is from ₦150,000, with a written all-in quote after the doctor examines the mole.
The procedures
Related health guides
More patient guides
Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Moles. NHS. Patient information.
- Melanoma skin cancer. NHS. Patient information.
Links last checked 22 October 2026.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Where your centre's instructions differ from this guide, follow theirs.