Moles are known in the medical field as melanocytes that grow throughout the skin. They typically produce melanin, a pigment that gives it color. They can grow for a variety of reasons throughout a person’s life and a few reasons are shared next. Moles may appear around times when your hormone level changes, for example aging or pregnancies or menopause. Additionally, people with light toned skin are prone to develop more moles. Other reasons include genetics, meaning that if your family members had them, like your parents, then you are more likely to develop moles too. Most moles emerge on your body during childhood and adolescence, and may change in size or color as you grow older. Most are also small to medium sized, typically ½ to ¼ inches in diameter and range in color from brow, tan, black, and pinkish in color. We call moles that you are born with, congenital moles and moles that appear after birth, acquired moles or common moles. When you are born with a larger congenital mole also known as a congenital nevus, you should always seek examination by a medical doctor because they have a greater risk of becoming malignant in adulthood. It is wise to always monitor all your moles for changes in size, color, shape or pain. Other more rare reasons that you may develop moles are: a response to drugs that suppress your immune system, other drugs like antibiotics, genetic mutations, sunburns, sun exposure, tanning bed use and more.
