A mole or melanocytic naevus is a small, dark spot on the skin. It can be subdermal made of melanin, or a pigmented growth on the skin, formed mostly of melanocytes. The high concentration of melanin is responsible for their dark color. They are a member of the family of skin lesions known as naevi.
Moles may either be present at birth or develop later in life.
Acquired moles are a form of benign neoplasm, while congenital moles are considered a minor malformation, or hamartoma. Moles are most often of no medical consequence, but since they are permanent, they may occasionally be removed for cosmetic or other reasons.
Moles are usually circular or oval and not very large. Most children are born with moles, and almost everyone has at least one or two moles on their bodies. Large amounts can be concentrated on the back, the chest and arms.
Aesthetic
The number of moles on a person's body appears to be hereditary. This applies also to their color and shape.
According to some people, moles may enhance or detract from beauty. The number and location of moles generally determines their effect on beauty. A large mole on the tip of the nose would likely be considered to detract from beauty, while a small mole on the cheek or near the lips may appear quite attractive. Attractive moles on the face are usually referred to as beauty marks.
Health caution
Sudden and unexpected changes in skin moles (e.g. bleeding, irritation, darkening, sudden growth) can be a sign of skin cancer so they need to be watched carefully. If a mole appears suspicious, it can be biopsied and checked for signs of malignancy.
See also
The content of this page is retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mole_%28skin_marking%29 under GFDL
