Moles: Tiny spots with big stories

Ever noticed black little spots on your skin and wondered what they were? These tiny spots are known as beauty marks or moles which are much more than just black spots. Moles are known as nevi in medical terms and they range from harmless to potential indicators of serious conditions. Wondering about the role moles play in our health? Let’s learn about it…

Moles which are medically known as nevi are tiny clusters of cells namely melanocytes, a type of cell that gives our skin its colour. When melanocytes group together, they form a mole.

Moles come in different shapes and sizes such as:

Common moles: It is small and round mostly in black and brown colour and appear mostly in childhood. It is often flat but can be slightly raised.

Atypical moles: These types of moles are large with irregular shapes and have different types of colours. It is important to keep an eye out for this one if it starts to change.

Congenital moles: These moles can range from small to large and can be found in significant areas of the body.

Moles start to appear during childhood and often pop up more during adolescence. The growth of a mole is influenced by a blend of genetic, hormonal and environmental factors and grows as a cluster of melanocytes. Genetics and hormonal change often play a major role in the growth of moles in our body. Additionally, new moles or changes in the existing ones can appear if one is exposed excessively to UV rays which cause them to darken or grow.

These factors play a significant role in the growth of a mole and it is essential to monitor any uncommon growth or peculiar change to identify potential skin or health-related issues.