THE SCIENCE OF MOLES
Dear HIW,
Why do we grow moles all over our bodies? Does the number of moles affect our health?
Vanessa Chen
Moles are very common and usually present no health concerns. But they should be monitored for any unusual sizes or rapid growth.
A mole is created when skin cells called melanocytes grow in clusters. These cells are responsible for the colouration of your skin, and when they grow together it makes the skin darker in patches. As these are random clusters of cells, they can occur anywhere on the body, but they are most common in areas exposed to the Sun.
Moles are usually harmless, but on rare occasions they can become cancerous. It is recommended that you consult a doctor if you notice any changes in moles or if you have more than 50 on your body.