Skin bumps, growths, spots and moles may be harmless, although certain skin conditions may be linked to these marks. Many people may experience skin problems as they age and women may experience certain skin conditions during pregnancy.

Changes in skin may happen for a variety of reasons. Moles, freckles or skin growths (warts, skin tags, etc.) may be present at birth, or develop with age. Birthmarks may be present at birth or they may develop shortly after birth. Birthmarks may vary in shape, size and color. They may be raised, on the surface of the skin or under the skin. Most birthmarks may be harmless and may change, shrink, grow or disappear with age.

Acne may affect many teenagers and may become an embarrassing condition for many teenagers. Adult acne may affect some patients as well. Treatments may be available that may assist in relieving or treating acne.

Pregnant women may experience dark patches of skin on the face. This may be referred to as melasma or the 'mask of pregnancy'. The condition may fade after delivery. Exposure to the sun during pregnancy may make the condition worse, so avoiding sunlight during pregnancy may help to prevent this condition.

Many skin conditions may be caused by too much sun exposure. The UV rays from the sun may have a damaging effect on the skin, causing symptoms such as sun burn, premature aging, skin damage, dark marks such as sun spots, and others.

A more serious type of skin problem is skin cancer. Skin cancer may also be caused by an overexposure to the sun's rays. Non-melanoma forms of skin cancer may be treatable if caught early, while malignant melanoma may require further treatment.

Catching the disease early may greatly increase the chance of defeating the disease, so regular checkups may be important. A health care professional may be helpful in discussing skin problems and monitoring skin health. Health care professionals may provide further information regarding the causes, treatments and symptoms of skin problems.

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