What is a Mole?
Moles are growths on the skin that are usually brown or black in color. Moles can appear anywhere on the skin, either alone or in groups. It is genetically determined and more common on the sun exposed sides. It is normal to have a few moles on body, however, it may be embarrassing and putting down your confidence in some cases when they are over cosmetically significant sites like face and are more numerous, larger in size, irregular in shape and are present over nose and cheeks.
It is very important to differentiate your mole from skin tags, lentigines, freckles and age spots.
Causes
Moles are caused in the skin by the growth of cells in a cluster instead of being spread throughout the skin. These cells are termed as melanocytes, that produce melanin which is a natural pigment. Moles may get dark in color on exposure to the sun, during the teen years or during pregnancy.
Types
- Congenital nevi: Moles that are present at birth. These moles are more likely to develop into cancer than are moles that appear after birth.
- Dysplastic nevi: Moles that are generally larger than average and irregular in shape. People with dysplastic nevi have a higher chance of developing skin cancer.
- Simple Nevi: These are the moles that have appeared in later life and have negligible risk of malignancy.
Who is at Risk?
Moles are not dangerous in most of the cases but any noticeable change in a mole’s color, height, size, or shape, is a reason to consult a dermatologist. You should also have moles checked if they bleed, ooze, itch, or become tender or painful.
Mole Removal Treatment
Moles can be removed by various methods. Choosing the right treatment will depend on the size, shape, anticipated depth and its location. Your dermatologist will first evaluate the mole and decide upon the best way to remove it without causing much scarring. A dermatologist will ensure that you achieve good cosmetic results post procedure.