Moles

Moles are very common, and most people have one or more. Moles are concentrations of pigment‒producing cells (melanocytes) in your skin. People with light skin tend to have more moles.

The technical name for a mole is nevus (plural: nevi). It comes from the Latin word for birthmark.

The cause of moles isn’t well understood. It’s thought to be an interaction of genetic factors and sun damage in most cases.

Moles usually emerge in childhood and adolescence and change in size and color as you grow. New moles commonly appear at times when your hormone levels change, such as during pregnancy.

Most moles are less than 1/4 inch in diameter. Mole color ranges from pink to dark brown or black. They can be anywhere on your body, alone or in groups.

Almost all moles are benign (noncancerous). But new moles in an adult are more likely to become cancerous than old moles.

If a new mole appears when you're older, or if a mole changes in appearance, you should see a dermatologist make sure it’s not cancerous.

Surgery

Skin resurfacing ( dermabrasion )

Skin shaving (excision) of top skin layers

Chemical peel for lightening

Laser ablation for lightening

Round Or Oval

Flat or slightly raised or sometimes dome‒shaped

Smooth Or Rough

One color (tan, brown, black, red, pink, blue, or skin‒colored)

Unchanging

Small (1/4 inch or less; the size of a pencil eraser)

May have hairs

Atypical moles can appear anywhere on your body. Atypical moles are often on the trunk, but you can also get them on your neck, head, or scalp. They rarely appear on the face.

Benign atypical moles may have some of the same characteristics as melanoma (a type of skin cancer). So, it’s important to have regular skin checks and to monitor any changes in your moles.

Atypical moles have the potential to become cancerous. But it’s estimated that only 1 in 10,000 Trusted Source atypical moles turn into cancer.

Because of their appearance, atypical moles have been characterized as the “ugly ducklings” of moles.

Irregular in shape with uneven borders

Varied in color: mixes of tan, brown, red, and pink

Pebbled in texture

Larger than a pencil eraser; 6 millimeters or more

More common in fair-skinned people

More common in people who have high sun exposure

Four or more atypical moles.

A blood relative who had melanoma.

Previously had melanoma.