Color changes
Melanoma may be pinkish pale to brownish-black. There is a halo around the lesion of pale pink color. This is due to an inflammatory response, and it is an early sign as compared to a brown halo, which is a late sign. The lesion is often hyperpigmented, and this is a sign of malignant change because malignant melanomas are darker than benign lesions of melanocytes. However, it is still possible that the malignant melanoma won’t produce melanin and presents as colorless growth.
The change to a darker color follows a patchy pattern, and at some places, the growth may become darker, light brown in areas with less melanin production, and purple in areas with more vasculature. The nodules may be amelanotic or hypopigmented than the surrounding hyperpigmented area. Bleeding and infection can also cause a change in color.