Skin health guide · RDG Clinic
Mole checks and dermoscopy in Riga
A new, changing, or distinctly different mole should be assessed in person. The dermatologist examines the skin and uses dermoscopy when appropriate to determine the next step.
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Video transcript
Today, we have a patient visiting us for her comprehensive annual skin examination to ensure everything is healthy.
We are going to carefully inspect all of her moles, examine any angiomas that are present, and determine if there is anything that might require professional removal or further investigation.
Over the course of the last five to ten years, the patient has been very diligent about consistently applying sunscreen. She currently uses SPF 50, which is truly excellent, although she has unfortunately experienced a few painful sunburns in her past that we need to keep in mind.
As we are all well aware, if you have experienced these types of sunburns throughout your life, it significantly increases the overall risk of developing malignant growths on your skin, which is something we certainly want to avoid discovering.
However, simply to ensure that everything is safe, we perform this comprehensive check once every single year using a specialized dermatoscope to carefully evaluate every single one of the patient’s skin growths.
Moles and changing moles
Most moles are harmless, but change deserves assessment
Moles, or melanocytic naevi, are common benign skin lesions. They may be flat or raised, vary in colour, and change gradually through life. Visual inspection alone cannot always reliably distinguish a harmless lesion from one requiring further investigation.
Features worth assessing include a new or changing lesion, asymmetry, irregular borders, several colours, growth, or one lesion that looks unlike the others. Dermoscopy lets a trained clinician inspect structures below the skin surface without cutting it, but histology after appropriate biopsy or removal establishes the final diagnosis of a suspicious lesion.
Common signs
- A new mole or lesion that continues to change
- Asymmetry, irregular borders, or uneven colour
- Growth, thickening, or a lesion that differs from the other moles
- Repeated bleeding, ulceration, itching, or pain without a clear cause
When to see a dermatologist
When to see a dermatologist
- A lesion is new, changing, or looks different from the others
- A mole bleeds, ulcerates, hurts, or is repeatedly traumatised
- You have many moles, previous atypical lesions, or a personal or family history of melanoma
- You want an individual surveillance plan after substantial sun exposure or previous sunburn
Accurate diagnosis
How assessment works
The dermatologist reviews the history of change and examines the lesion and, when appropriate, other skin areas. A dermatoscope magnifies and illuminates lesion structures. A benign finding may need only explanation or individual monitoring. Suspicious features lead to biopsy or complete removal for histology. A phone photograph cannot safely replace in-person examination.
An individual plan
Treatment approach
The purpose of a mole check is not to remove every lesion. The next step follows the clinical and dermoscopic findings, safety, and whether histology is required.
Explanation and self-monitoring
For a benign lesion, the doctor explains what changes to watch for and when to return. The same annual interval is not necessary for everyone.
Photography and follow-up
An atypical lesion not requiring immediate removal may be documented clinically or dermoscopically and reviewed at an interval selected by the doctor.
Biopsy or surgical removal
For a suspicious lesion, the method must provide tissue for histology. Laser treatment is not appropriate when diagnosis requires tissue analysis.
Sun protection
Shade, clothing, and correctly used broad-spectrum sunscreen reduce further UV damage but do not replace assessment of a changing lesion.
Your RDG care path
How the clinic can help
Services are selected after dermatologist assessment and according to the individual findings, not from a name or photograph alone.
Doctor consultation
In person or online: a professional assessment of your health and skin with a clear plan for next steps.
About this service →Skin biopsy and histology
A small tissue sample to clarify diagnosis, using the most suitable biopsy method with or without a stitch.
About this service →Skin lesion removal
Diagnosis first, followed by the most appropriate removal method and histology when required.
About this service →Long-term control
What to expect
After assessment, the next step should be clear: the lesion appears benign, needs defined follow-up, or requires tissue diagnosis. A rapidly changing, bleeding, or ulcerated lesion should not be postponed.
This information does not replace medical consultation. Seek urgent medical care for sudden, severe, or rapidly progressive symptoms.
Dermatologists
Frequently asked questions
Does dermoscopy hurt?
No. It is a non-invasive examination with a magnifying optical device. The device may lightly touch the skin, but no tissue is removed.
Does everyone need an annual mole check?
No. Scope and interval are individual. Do not wait for a planned review if you notice change.
Can a suspicious mole be removed by laser?
When diagnosis is required, tissue must be preserved for histology. The doctor selects a biopsy or removal method that allows appropriate examination.
Is a phone photograph enough?
A photograph may document change over time, but it does not replace in-person examination and dermoscopy.
Medical sources
Content updated: 13 October 2026
Treatment starts with an accurate diagnosis
After assessment, the dermatologist will explain the appropriate plan and costs. There is no single fixed treatment price because it depends on the diagnosis and therapy required.