Is a tiny brown speck on scar a sign the mole will grow back?

Question

Three months post-op (shave removal) my scar has improved significantly. My only concern is that there's now a very very small dark speck in the center of the scar. You can barely see it unless you look really close, but I'm afraid that this is a sign that the mole will grow back. However, I was unable to wear sunscreen for a few days so it might be from sun damage. Should i get it checked out?

Hooman Khorasani, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question.  Pigment within a mole removal scar could indicate that the mole was not completely removed.  Do you have the biopsy results proving that the mole was completely removed?  If not, there is the possibility that the mole is regrowing.  The other possibility is that the pigment in the scar represents post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or a denovo pigmented skin lesion.  You do need an in person consultation and assessment with dermoscopy by an experienced dermatologist because this is a difficult situation and there is an entity called "pseudomelanoma" which can sometimes cause problems with pigment in scars.  Please have this assessed promptly so that a diagnosis can be made and an appropriate treatment plan can be devised going forward.  I hope this helps.

Soumo Banerji, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question, and the quick answer is mainly time will tell.  I would take a picture of it and watch it, and/or have your provider see it.  If it recurs after a shave, you may need to have it excised down to the fatty layer instead.

Is a tiny brown speck on scar a sign the mole will grow back?

Answers (2)