A mole is a growth on the skin that is also known as a nevus (plural: nevi). While some moles are present at birth, others appear later in life. Moles are commonly associated with brown skin; however, they can also be red, pink, flesh-colored, tan, virtually black, blue, or white.
Some people could also have fine or long hair around the moles. Even though the majority of moles are benign, it’s crucial to keep an eye out for any changes that might point to the development of cancer.
Read the following blog to understand how moles form and the types of moles or til on skin.
What Causes Moles?
The improper development of skin cells is the cause of moles. Some people have congenital moles, from birth. Moles can also appear in early adulthood and infancy. As you mature, these moles may get lighter or darker. Moles can darken or form as a result of other things, including exposure to the sun or certain drugs, and may or may not be cancerous in nature.
If you are wondering, “What are skin moles types?”, move to the next section.
Types of Moles on Skin
Here are the three different types of skin moles that are commonly seen:
1. Congenital Moles
About one baby out of every 100 is born with a congenital mole, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD). Although they might vary in color and be flat, the majority do not develop malignancies.
Congenital skin moles consist of the following sub-types:
- Congenital nevus: These are benign lesions that are present from birth; bigger lesions may have a higher chance of developing into cancer later in life.
- Blue nevi: These are classified as either common or cellular blue nevus; they are blue-gray or blue-black moles.
2. Acquired Moles
Acquired moles develop on the skin later in life. They are usually brown in color, due to sun damage. They are round in shape and don’t change much as you age, but they may get darker. As per a 2015 study, acquired moles appear as darker patches on the face, ears, and other areas on the skin of people with an olive or dark complexion.
The various types of acquired moles are as follows:
- Compound nevi are raised moles that are typically skin-colored. Intradermal or dermal nevi are raised, dome-shaped moles that are usually the same color as your skin.
- Junctional melanocytic nevi are raised, uniformly colored moles that typically appear as flat moles in childhood and can range in color from brown to black.
- Seborrheic keratoses are raised benign growths that can be rough to the touch and dark in color.
- Spitz nevi are elevated nodules that can have any hue, including pink, red, blue, black, or skin. You can observe it as red til on skin.
3. Atypical Moles
The atypical types of moles have a higher chance of developing into cancer than congenital and acquired nevi. According to the AOCD, one in ten Americans has at least one atypical nevus.
Atypical moles have irregularly formed borders and are slightly larger than acquired moles. They typically have a variety of hues, such as pink, white, brown, black, and tan. They also increase the chance of developing melanoma, which can be just as colorful but typically darker—even glossy black. Clark’s nevi and dysplastic nevi are two examples of atypical moles.
The ABCDEs of melanoma are an acronym that the AAD, American Academy of Dermatology Association, suggests adopting to help recall the signs and characteristics of a potentially malignant mole, as follows:
- Asymmetry: One half of the mole differs from the other, making it non-uniform.
- Border: The mole’s border is ill-defined or erratic.
- Color: Within a single mole, variations in tint or color occur.
- Diameter: The mole reaches a maximum size of 6 mm, or 1/4 inch.
- Evolution: The mole is evolving when its size, shape, or color change like developing red moles on skin.
When to See a Doctor?
Dermatologists normally advise all individuals to have a yearly skin examination by the time they are in their early 20s and even earlier if they have fair skin. This enables them to check for alterations and possibly malignant growths in an individual’s pre-existing moles. Nevertheless, it is advised to schedule a consultation if you notice any unsettling changes to your skin, such as:
New growth is developing quickly on moles.
A mole unexpectedly changes size or shape.
A mole that appears sick or bleeds on its own without harm
A deep smear appears across your nail.
Key Takeaways
Skin moles can be of different sizes and shapes. They occur due to the improper development of skin cells but may not necessarily indicate cancer. The different types of skin moles include congenital moles, acquired moles, and atypical moles. While some mole types are harmless, consult a doctor if you notice rapid changes in their shape, size, or color.
