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• Moles are localized clusters of cells on the skin. Moles can appear on any part of the body. They can be small or large, and usually range in color from brown to reddish brown. The majority of moles appear in the first two decades of life.Mayo Clinic: Moles

• Fast Facts

  1. Also referred to as neviMayo Clinic: Moles
  2. Normal to have between 10 - 40MedlinePlus: Moles
  3. Can be flat or raisedAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Moles
  4. 1 out of 10 people may have one atypical moleMedlinePlus: Moles
  5. Most moles are non-cancerousAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Moles

• Special Circumstances

  1. Congenital nevi: Appear in 1 - 2% of newborn infants;5 - 7% of these can develop into melanoma by the age of 60.eMedicine: Congenital Nevi
  2. Dysplastic nevi: Tend to be hereditary and irregular in shape.Mayo Clinic: Moles: Risk Factors Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center: Dysplastic Nevus

• Mole Removal

  1. Shave excision: Mole is numbed and removed with a blade. Used for small moles which don't require sutures.
  2. Punch biopsy: Incision is made and mole is removed with a cookie cutter type of device.
  3. Surgery: Removes the mole and surrounding skin, requires sutures.
  4. Laser: Used for flat moles and may require 1-3 treatmentsMayo Clinic: Moles: Treatment and Drugs San Francisco Plastic Surgery & Laser Center: Mole Removal

• Moles vs Freckles

  Freckles and moles are both caused by an increase of pigment in the skin. Freckles are small, flat spots on the skin and are not present at birth, but develop as a result of sun exposure. Freckles usually appear on skin which is exposed to sun. Moles are clusters of pigmented cells. Unlike freckles, moles can be present at birth and often become more prominent with age.MedlinePlus: Moles MedicineNet: What are Freckles?

• Disclaimer

  The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are concerned about moles, please consult your doctor.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Skin Cancer | Melanoma | Atypical Mole | Sunscreen | Sunburn | Cancer | Surgery | Warts | Plantar Warts | Skin | Blister | Shingles | Genital Herpes | Dermatitis | Skin Cancer Vaccine | How to Become a Dermatologist | Boils Treatment

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