Whats a “Normal” Mole?
Normal moles are common benign skin growths that form when cells in the skin grow in a cluster with tissue surrounding them. They are usually a solid shade of pink, tan or brown, or flesh-colored; round or oval with regular, sharp, well-defined borders; no larger than 1/4 inch; and symmetrical. They can be flat or raised. They typically look similar to your other moles. According to the National Cancer Institute, most people have between 10 and 40 moles. What’s an “Atypical” Mole? Atypical moles (a.k.a. dysplastic nevi) are skin growths that usually range in color from tan to dark brown, with more than one shade within a single mole. They’re asymmetrical and have a raised center with irregular and/or indistinct, flat borders that fade into the surrounding skin. They’re often larger than common moles. Dysplastic nevi are found mostly on the back, chest, abdomen and extremities, but may also appear on the scalp, buttocks, groin or female breasts. They usually look different from any norm
