In the process of learning about skin cancer, you will inevitably come across the subject of moles, particularly if you are learning more about melanoma skin cancers. This type of skin cancer is especially serious and can often be spotted by the changing shape and size of a mole. Therefore, learning more about moles and what they are exactly can help you to recognize what you need to be looking for when doing a skin self exam, an important step for anyone in monitoring their overall skin health.

The Formation of Moles

Moles are composed of melanocytes. Melanocytes are located all throughout the lower part of the epidermis, or outer layer of skin. These melanocytes produce a component called melanin, which is a pigment that helps to give our skin its coloring. The melanocytes work to produce more melanin after the skin has been exposed to the sun. This is why the skin usually darkens, or tans, after sun exposure.

Sometimes, the melanocytes will combine into clusters with other healthy surrounding tissues. These clusters are benign, or non-cancerous, growths that we call moles. Doctors and scientists call moles nevi, or the singular –nevus. Most people are not aware that the common mole has such a scientific name.

Moles are incredibly common in people in the United States and throughout the world. They can be made up a variety of different ways. People may have anywhere from 10 to 40 moles on their bodies, with fewer or more moles than that number occurring as well. Moles can be flesh colored, or they can be tan, brown, or even pink. The size and shape of the moles varies, too. They can be raised above the skin or flat, and they can be oval or round. Most of the time, moles are smaller than the size of a common pencil eraser.

Resulting at birth or developing later in life, moles can affect people from different ethnicities. Usually, moles will only grow or change very slightly throughout a person’s life, although they may fade in older people. After a mole has been surgically removed, however, it will not return. Since melanomas result from changes to a person’s skin, understanding how moles are formed in the first place can be useful knowledge.