The 5-Second Rule Dermatologists Use: ABCDE
If you only remember one thing from this article, make it this.
Dermatologists often use the ABCDE rule to help flag moles that deserve a closer look.
- A — Asymmetry: One half doesn’t match the other.
- B — Border: The edges look irregular, blurred, ragged, or “spreading.”
- C — Color: Multiple shades appear in one spot (brown, black, red, white, blue, or gray).
- D — Diameter: Larger spots can be higher-risk (especially if growing).
- E — Evolving: Any noticeable change over time—size, shape, color, surface, or symptoms.
That last one is the big one.
Evolving is often what separates a harmless mole from something worth checking.
A stable mole that hasn’t changed for years is usually less concerning than a spot that suddenly looks “different.”
And “different” can be subtle.
A slightly rougher surface. A new darker streak. An edge that looks less clean than it used to.
Read more on the next page ⬇️⬇️⬇️
