Skin moles (nevi) are classified as tumors but are usually harmless.
They appear as a growth on the skin and can be round or oval-shaped.
Some are raised like a bump on the skin but can also be flat.
They are frequently darker in color than the surrounding skin and may appear brown or black.
However, they can also be red or pink-tinged.
Nevi are caused by the same cells that give pigment to the hair, eyes and skin.
These cells are known as melanocyte cells.
When melanocyte cells grow in clusters, they can produce these growths.
Moles are actually very common.
It is estimated that most people have up to twenty, if not more, in different places on their body.
While most are present at birth, others tend to appear during childhood and the teenage years, with fewer appearing later in life.
They are also believed to be caused by heredity, sun exposure and changes in hormones.
Adolescence, pregnancy and menopause may affect their appearance or cause new ones to appear.
Exposure to sunlight, including tanning beds, may also contribute to them.
Nevi can change over time due to the growth of the malanocyte cells.
Some may disappear, change color or shape.
They may sprout hair like a cartoon depiction of a witch.
Ones that were raised may flatten and flat ones may become raised.
While most skin moles are harmless, any changes in a mole could be a sign of a precancerous problem and a health care provider should be contacted as soon as possible.
Many people view them beauty marks.
But some are less attractive than others and may cause embarrassment or self-consciousness.
While avoiding sun exposure may help prevent skin moles, they appear to be a genetic trait.
However, if you or a loved one has an unsightly skin mole, there is no reason to suffer with it.
There are ways to remove it.
While surgical removal is one of the most common methods, there are natural alternatives as well.