What Melanoma Looks Like — Early Signs

Melanoma is a malignant skin cancer that develops from pigment-producing cells (melanocytes). It sounds frightening — and it can be — but when caught early it is one of the most treatable cancers. The key is knowing what early melanoma looks like and acting when something on your skin starts to look out of the ordinary. This article shows what to watch for — keeping in mind that no text or app can replace an examination by a dermatologist.

What does early melanoma look like?

Early melanoma is most often a flat or slightly raised patch that stands out against the surrounding skin. It is easily mistaken for an ordinary mole, which is why the details matter. Typical features of an early lesion include:

• Asymmetry — one half does not match the other in shape or colour
• Irregular, ragged borders — instead of a smooth, even outline
• Uneven colour — several shades of brown, black, and sometimes red, white, or blue within one lesion
• Enlargement — the lesion grows or changes shape over weeks and months

Importantly, early melanoma usually does not hurt or itch. The absence of symptoms does not mean a lesion is harmless — which is why we assess it primarily by sight.

ABCDE — appearance translated into specifics

The simplest way to assess how a mole looks is the ABCDE rule. Each letter describes a feature you can see with the naked eye:

• A — Asymmetry: the two halves of the mole differ
• B — Border: uneven, ragged, blurred, or notched
• C — Colour: several different shades within one lesion
• D — Diameter: classically over 6 mm, though melanomas can be smaller
• E — Evolution: any change over time — the single most important sign

If you want to work through all five criteria in detail, see our dedicated guide: how to assess a mole using the ABCDE rule. It is the foundation of self-monitoring.

Amelanotic (colourless) melanoma — when there is no brown

Most people look for a dark, black-brown patch. Yet there is such a thing as amelanotic melanoma, which does not produce the usual pigment. It can look like:

• A pink or red bump that does not go away
• A skin-coloured lesion, slightly scaly or shiny
• A non-healing "sore" that bleeds and keeps coming back

This type is especially deceptive, because it is easily mistaken for irritation, a pimple, or a bite. If a pink or red lesion persists for more than a few weeks and is changing, show it to a dermatologist.

Nodular melanoma — a fast-growing lump

Nodular melanoma is one of the more aggressive forms, because it grows down into the skin rather than just outward. It often looks different from the classic flat patch:

• A raised, firm lump — black, brown, sometimes red or skin-coloured
• Rapid growth — over weeks, not years
• A tendency to bleed, weep, or ulcerate

The EFG rule is helpful here: Elevated, Firm to the touch, and Growing. A lump that meets all three needs prompt assessment — nodular melanoma does not always fit the classic ABCDE pattern.

Melanoma on hands, feet, and under the nail

Acral melanoma develops in places that are easy to forget during self-examination: the soles of the feet, the palms, and under the nails. Contrary to popular belief, it is not linked to sun exposure, so it also affects people with darker skin tones.

What to look for:

• A dark, brown-black streak under a nail that widens or spreads onto the surrounding nail fold (Hutchinson's sign)
• A new, dark, irregular patch on the sole or palm
• A lesion unrelated to any injury, or one that does not fade after a few weeks

Not every streak under a nail is melanoma — often it is a simple bruise from an injury that "travels" as the nail grows. But a streak that widens or does not move deserves a consultation.

How does melanoma differ from an ordinary mole?

A healthy, benign mole is usually symmetrical, uniform in colour, with smooth borders, and stable over time. It may be raised or flat, light or dark — all of that is normal. It only becomes concerning when a lesion:

• Looks different from all the other moles on your body
• Gradually changes — in shape, colour, or size
• Starts to itch, bleed, flake, or form a scab

This is where the ugly duckling sign helps: most of your moles look similar, forming a kind of "family". Melanoma is often the one that stands out from the rest — different in colour, shape, or size. If one mole immediately draws your eye, that is no coincidence.

How J-Skin helps you catch a change early

The early signs of melanoma are rarely dramatic — they are subtle, slow changes. That is exactly why systematic documentation helps:

• Photos over time — photograph your moles and compare them in four modes to see the evolution
• Measurement in millimetres — with coin calibration the app calculates the real diameter, so you see actual growth rather than an illusion
• ABCDE module — walks you through each criterion of appearance
• Reminders — regular sessions every 3–6 months so nothing slips by
• PDF report for your doctor — take your photo and measurement history to the appointment

J-Skin does not make a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor — it is an observation tool that helps you notice when it is worth getting checked.

When to see a doctor — do not delay

Book an appointment with a dermatologist as soon as possible if you see:

• A new or changing lump that is growing rapidly
• A mole that bleeds, weeps, or forms a non-healing sore
• A lesion that meets several ABCDE criteria
• A pink or red lesion that will not go away (possible amelanotic melanoma)
• A dark, widening streak under a nail
• An "ugly duckling" mole that clearly stands out from the rest

If you are unsure what happens during a specialist visit and when dermoscopy is needed, read our guide: when to see a dermatologist and what dermoscopy is.

It is better to show a doctor a harmless lesion one time too many than to miss a melanoma one time too few. Early detection saves lives.

This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a dermatologist. Any worrying or changing skin lesion needs to be assessed by a doctor.