Moles are formed when melanocytes (the cells responsible for the growth of skin) grows in clusters instead of spreading out. Moles grow under the skin, and they are usually brown or black. But the color of the mole may change due to exposure to sunlight, aging, or pregnancy.

They can appear on part of the body, in groups or individually. Moles mostly appear in early childhood and the first twenty-five years of a human’s life. It is normal for adults to have around 10 to 40 moles. With time, these moles may undergo some changes like change in color or size, some may bulge out, or a hair might grow on it. In some cases, they remain the same or even disappear.

Types of moles
Congenital nevi and dysplastic nevi are the two types of moles. Congenital nevi are moles that occur from birth. One in every hundred individuals has congenital nevi. Congenital nevi have the potential to develop into melanoma (a form of skin cancer). If a congenital nevus has a circumference larger than an eraser, then it is best to consult with a health care specialist.

A dysplastic nevus is larger than a pencil eraser and irregular in shape. They are unevenly colored and are usually dense brown towards the center and lighter towards the periphery. People with more than ten dysplastic nevi are at risk of developing melanoma.

Moles and melanoma
If a health care specialist feels that a mole needs to be examined, they will conduct a biopsy by cutting or shaving out the entire mole for a detailed study. If the mole is confirmed cancerous, then the dermatologist will cut out the entire mole or scar and also a rim of healthy skin around the mole.

The ABCDE guideline helps in determining if a mole is cancerous or not. Here are the things to be considered while checking for moles that could be cancerous:

• Asymmetry in the formation of the mole.
• Borders which are not well defined at times.
• Color of the mole, which can vary in the same mole
• Diameter of six millimeters or larger
• Evolution of the mole

Moles are common and not all of them may turn cancerous. They are likely to develop on an individual’s skin as they age. Knowing one’s skin and taking adequate care of it are the most important steps in keeping any complications away. It is advisable to go for regular checkups to a dermatologist so that any probable skin condition associated with moles can be kept at bay.

If a mole is removed, then it is vital to take care of the skin in that area. Application of sunscreen can reduce the risk of the scars getting darker due to exposure to sunlight. Scars need to be moisturized during the healing period. So, it is best to apply petroleum jelly to keep the scar moisturized. After the wound has healed, massaging the scar can help in flattening the scar.