What to Look for, When to Worry

Everyone has moles on their skin. On average, most people have at least 10, but less than 40 moles. A mole can appear anywhere on your body, and most moles appear by age 20.

Although your pattern of moles is most likely determined by your genetics, sun exposure can cause you to have more moles, and can cause the ones you already have to get darker. New moles tend to appear and existing ones tend to get larger and darker during your teen years and if you become pregnant.

Types of Skin Moles

If you have a mole, you may be wondering if it’s harmless or if you should see your doctor about it. A mole usually appears as a small, brownish spot on your skin, but can come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Depending on its appearance and when it developed, a mole can be classified as one of the following types:

• Congenital moles. When a mole is present at birth, it is called a congenital mole, or congenital nevus. About 1 percent of people have congenital moles, and these moles may be at increased risk of turning into skin cancer.
• Acquired moles. Acquired moles account for most moles and usually develop during childhood or early adulthood. These moles are usually smaller than a quarter inch, and are thought to be due to excessive sun exposure. Most acquired moles will not develop into skin cancer.
• Atypical moles. Atypical moles (also known as dysplastic nevi) are larger than a pencil eraser and shaped irregularly. These moles are usually uneven in color, with a dark brown center. The borders of atypical moles may be irregular, with a lighter or reddish color, and unevenness or black dots around the edge. Atypical moles tend to run in families and they may be at increased risk of developing into skin cancer.

When to See Your Doctor About a Mole

It’s important to consult your doctor or a dermatologist about a suspicious skin mole since it may be an early sign of malignant melanoma, which is a life-threatening form of skin cancer.

Examine your skin regularly, looking for any new skin moles as well as changes in the moles you already have. If you have a family history of atypical moles or skin cancer, or a large number of moles or freckles, your primary doctor may suggest that you see a dermatologist for regular skin evaluations.

When you examine your moles, remember the ABCDEs of melanoma. If you notice any of the following, consult your doctor or dermatologist:

• A for asymmetry: A mole in which one half of the mole does not look like the other
• B for irregular border: A mole with a scalloped or poorly defined border
• C for varied color: A mole that consists of multiple shades of black, brown, white, red, and/or blue
• D for large diameter: A mole that has a diameter larger than that of a pencil eraser
• E for evolving: A mole that’s size, shape, or color changes over time
• New moles: A mole that develops, especially if it appears after age 20
• Bothersome moles: A mole that bleeds, itches, or is painful

Removing a Skin Mole

Most moles are harmless and do not need to be removed. But if your dermatologist thinks your mole looks suspicious, or if you would like to have the mole removed for cosmetic reasons, it can usually be done quite easily.

To remove a mole, your dermatologist will numb the area around your mole, and then shave or cut it off. After removing the mole, your dermatologist may need to close the area with one or a few stitches. The tissue will be sent to a laboratory to confirm that it is not cancerous.

Most moles are harmless, but getting any suspicious ones checked out quickly will enable you to detect skin cancer in its earliest stages, when it’s most treatable.

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Seeing your GP | Melanoma skin cancer

See your doctor if you develop a new mole or notice a change in an existing mole or area of your skin (including under your nail).

Even if you’re worrying about what this might be, you shouldn’t delay seeing them. Your worry is unlikely to go away if you don’t make an appointment. You won’t be wasting your doctor’s time. It might not be cancer. But if it is, the earlier a cancer is picked up, the more likely it can be treated successfully.

Getting the most out of your GP appointment

It can be difficult to remember everything you want to say and ask when you see the doctor. These tips will help you get the most out of your appointment.

Tips

• Make a note of when you first noticed the abnormal area of skin and if there have been any changes.
• Write down any questions that you have while you think of them.
• Bring a friend or relative – they could also ask questions and help you remember what the GP says.
• Tell your GP if you are worried about cancer in particular.
• Ask the GP to explain anything you don’t understand.
• Ask the GP to write things down for you if you think this might help.

What happens during your GP appointment

Your doctor will look at your mole or abnormal area of skin. They might:

• measure it with a ruler or against a marker scale
• take a photo so they can record any changes
• examine it closely with a dermatoscope (like a magnifying glass)

There are particular features of moles that they look out for, such as changes in size, colour and shape. And if there is any inflammation, bleeding or itching.

Depending on this, your doctor might:

• reassure you
• refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist), or pigmented lesion clinic if there’s one in your area
• take a photograph and refer you to a teledermatology clinic

A pigmented lesion clinic is a dermatology clinic that specialises in picking up suspicious moles and diagnosing melanoma.

Teledermatology is a new pathway for referral, where a digital picture is taken and assessed by the skin specialist.

Ask your GP to explain if they don’t think you need a referral. They might ask you to come back in a couple of weeks or months so they can monitor your mole or abnormal area of skin. Go back any time if you notice any further changes.

Questions for your GP

• Do I need to see a specialist, is it urgent?
• When will I see them?
• Will I find out about my appointments by post or telephone?
• Will I need tests? What will they involve?

If they don’t think you need a referral

• Can you explain to me why I don’t need to see a specialist?
• Do I need to see you again?
• What changes should I look out for?

What happens next

Make sure you know what happens next. Make another appointment if you notice any more changes to your mole or skin, or you are still concerned.

How to find a GP

If you don’t have a GP, you can find a doctor’s surgery in your local area by going to:

Making a GP appointment

To make an appointment to see your GP you:

• can telephone your GP practice
• book an appointment online through your GP practice website (if they have one)
• may be able to use the NHS App

Try different times of the day if it’s difficult to get through by phone. It could be particularly busy at the beginning of the day. You don’t have to tell the receptionist what you want to see the doctor for, although sometimes it might help to explain your situation.

You might be able to go in person to book an appointment at some GP practices. But at the moment most practices do not provide this service. It may help to see if your GP practice has a website. This will explain the best way to get an appointment.

The receptionist at your GP’s practice may offer you a telephone or video appointment first. Your GP will ask you to make another appointment if they need to see you again. You may be asked to attend in person, especially if they need to examine you. The receptionist will give you a date and time for this.

Accept a booked appointment, even if you think it’s a long time to wait. You could ask about cancellations if you are able to get to the practice at short notice. Do check that they have the right contact details for you, including your telephone number and email.  

• Suspected cancer: recognition and referral
  National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), June 2015

• Scottish referral guidelines for suspected cancer
  The Scottish Government, 2019

Last reviewed: 

25 Mar 2020

Next review due: 

23 Mar 2023

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What are nevi (moles) and their varieties

Skin weighs up to 15% of body weight.

It is the largest organ on which many neoplasms originate and disappear. Nevi are especially well known to people. So doctors call them, and in colloquial speech the name of a mole has taken root.

What is it?

Nevus is a benign neoplasm of melanocyte cells, usually dark and smooth. Most people have between 10 and 40 moles comfortably nestled on their skin. Some appear at birth. The rest are for life. During puberty, old nevi enlarge and darken, and they also grow due to exposure to the sun. The more often a person tans, the more moles decorate him. Or does not decorate – how lucky.

Nevi often change. For example, they turn into flabby and soft neoplasms, or vice versa – into dense and colorless ones.

There are a lot of varieties of moles: complex, transitional, borderline, pigmentless, epidermal. Some are harmless. Others are more dangerous and can degenerate into malignant tumors. The doctor should regularly examine complex nevi to prevent their transformation.

Other types of moles have their own characteristics.

Varieties of nevi

Doctors classify moles by location, pigmentation and other characteristics.

Main types of nevi:

• Congenital

These are the moles you were born with. They are small, medium or giant with different colors and shapes. Some neonatal nevi cover large areas of skin and often degenerate into cancers.

• Plain

Smooth unicolor moles. Sometimes they appear at birth, but mostly grow up during adolescence. Common colors are brown and pink. The surface is flat or domed.

• Dysplastic or atypical

Irregular moles, which are not very numerous on the skin – less than the usual nevi . Can be reborn in melanoma . The skin on moles is multi-colored, and the edges of the neoplasms are asymmetric with fuzzy boundaries. Dysplastic nevi often degenerate into melanoma. The more of them, the higher the risk.

• Blue

Blue moles can be congenital or acquired. The hue of neoplasms ranges from gray to black, but they are always well distinguished due to the blue color. In most cases, these nevi occur in people of Asian descent. The rest are rare.

• Misher’s nevi

Brown or bodily growths on the neck or face. Smooth and firm dome-shaped moles, from which hair often sprouts.

• Unna nevi

Soft brown moles similar to Miescher’s nevi. They appear mainly on the arms and neck, and in texture resemble raspberries.

• Meyerson’s nevi

Moles are surrounded by eczema that causes a red rash. Such neoplasms grow even in patients without eczema. Mostly found in men. In women – 3 times less. Most Meyerson nevi form in people over 30 years of age.

• Halo nevi

Moles surrounded by a pale ring. They do not remain until the end of life – first they acquire a pink color, then completely disappear. Sometimes new white rings appear around the neoplasms.

• Spitz nevi

Raised domed moles. Such pink neoplasms mainly grow at a young age – up to 20 years. Sometimes they have a different color. Some nevi bleed and are difficult to distinguish from malignant tumors.

• Reed nevi

Black or dark brown raised growths that grow very quickly. Therefore, doctors often confuse them with melanoma, but these moles are not dangerous. They are found mainly in women.

• Agminated

Clusters of similar moles on a small area of ​​skin. They are not the same – one group may consist of smooth nevi, the other of domed ones.

As you can see, dermatologists have managed to identify many varieties of moles. We have not listed everything – only the main ones. Doctors perform dermatoscopy of a nevus to determine its species. A typical example is papillomatous nevus.

What is papillomatous nevus

Not all skin growths are moles. There are also warts, condylomas and papillomas, which are sometimes difficult to distinguish from nevi. Especially difficult with papillomatous pigmented nevus .

It looks like a common papilloma.

But it’s actually a raised bumpy mole, a benign growth that never turns into cancer. Usually the nevus is flesh-colored, brown or brown. Black is rare.

Most interdermal pigmented nevi grow hair and form on the head or neck. In rare cases – in other areas.

Such moles appear at any time in life: at birth, in adolescence, in old age. At first they are invisible. However, the nevi grow continuously and soon begin to interfere. If they appeared among the hair on the head, then combing can damage them. The inflammation will start. Moles constantly hurt, and the skin around them turns red.

Papillomatous nevus on the face is a serious cosmetic defect, because it constantly grows and catches the eye.

People with these moles often want to have them removed. But we recommend making a decision only after consulting a dermatologist and checking the neoplasm for the risk of degeneration. This nevus is similar to papillomas. Without the help of a doctor, you cannot determine how dangerous a mole is.

Usually a dermatologist prescribes surgery if the nevus is constantly injured and inflamed or spoils the patient’s appearance. Before the operation, the doctor must necessarily exclude the possibility of melanoma. He performs a dermatoscopy of a mole.

Papillomatous nevus is removed by different methods:

• Laser
• Cryodestruction
• Radio wave surgery
• Electrocoagulation
• Surgical excision

A common method for removing neoplasms on the face and neck is a laser.

Intradermal nevus

This is another name for common moles – domed nevi.

We have already mentioned that in children such neoplasms rarely grow – only in every hundredth, while in adults they pop up in dozens.

Why are they called that?

Intradermal – moles under the top layer of the skin. Therefore, their coloration does not differ from the color of the surrounding skin and they are noticeable because of the height.

Intradermal nevi grow everywhere. Most often they appear on the neck, head, upper arms and even on the eyelids.

Most moles are small, between 5 mm and 1 cm, and are hardly noticeable in children. When growing up, the nevi change. They become more prominent and darker. In people older than 70 years, intradermal nevi, on the contrary, become discolored and are almost invisible.

Why do common moles appear?

Such neoplasms occur for 3 main reasons:

• Heredity

If parents have more than 50 moles, then the child is likely to get many nevi.

• Sun exposure

When the sun damages the skin, especially fair skin, moles often grow.

• Immunosuppressive treatment

Some medications reduce immunity, causing new nevi to form.

Do intradermal moles need to be checked?

We recommend checking any nevi regularly. At least once a year. See a dermatologist outside of your schedule if the growths have changed color, shape, or size.

The main reasons for removing a mole:

• degenerates into melanoma
• Damaged by clothing every day
• Looks repulsive

Nevus is easy to remove. Even neoplasms on the face or neck are removed by doctors with a laser or other methods.

Epidermal nevus

This type of neoplasm grows from the cells of the outer layer of the skin. Up to half of epidermal moles appear at birth, the rest – in the first year of life. After that, they do not change.

Varieties of epidermal nevus differ in the type of cells of which they are composed. The outer layer of the skin, or epidermis, is made up of keratinocytes.

A separate group of moles – keratinocytic or non-organoid. It includes neoplasms that consist of keratinocytes and grow on the trunk or limbs. On the head – never. Nevi may be flat or raised. As a person grows older, moles thicken and darken.

Another group of epidermal nevi is organoid. These moles are not only made up of keratinocytes, but also of cells that form sweat glands. Yellow-orange lesions. They grow exclusively on the face and head, which makes it seem that a person has a bald head. Like non-organoid nevi, these moles gradually thicken. A quarter of nevi causes the development of malignant tumors.

People usually develop one or more moles of different sizes and shapes. Less often – more. According to studies, out of 1000 people, no more than 3 will become carriers of an epidermal nevus.

What is an unpigmented nevus

Most moles have a characteristic coloration ranging from pink to black.

There are exceptions.

Unpigmented nevi have almost no pigment cells and appear as irregularly shaped light or whitish spots. Moles appear in childhood and stay with a person for life. However, not everyone has them. Basically, such neoplasms settle on the skin of representatives of the Caucasian race.

The size of the nevus does not exceed 2 cm. In most cases, only moles on the face are removed if they spoil the appearance. This happens quite often.

That’s why.

Unlike other neoplasms, pigmentless nevi do not darken due to the sun. Against the background of tanned skin, they are conspicuous, which for many people is a good reason to remove moles.

However, the chance of their appearance is small – only 1%.

Borderline nevus

A type of mole that often turns into a malignancy. They need to be checked regularly.

A borderline nevus grows under the stratum corneum and looks like a uniform brown spot. It has different shades: from light to dark. Not much different from an ordinary mole – the same round or oval shape, clear boundaries.

Signs indicate rebirth:

• Neoplasm increases in size
• Nevus darkens or brightens
• Pigment spots appear next to the mole
• Neoplasm compacted
• There is itching or pain in the mole

See a dermatologist if you experience any of these symptoms – they will examine the moles and refer you to an oncologist if necessary.

Giant neoplasms should also be treated with care.

How to deal with huge nevi

We are used to the fact that most moles are small formations, and are almost invisible on the skin. Giant nevi do not live up to expectations.

As the name implies, they are very large – from 20 cm in diameter. Such moles cover a significant part of the arms, legs and face.

Congenital nevi of this type grow in people of any race – they spoil the lives of 2% of the world’s population. But it’s not their size that’s dangerous.

A giant mole is very likely to develop into melanoma, especially when the nevus grows near the spinal column.

The surface of the neoplasm is rough and its color is gray, brown or black. Gradually, the nevus grows. The skin on it thickens, and pigmentation intensifies. Very often, hair grows in certain areas of the mole.

The neoplasm looks especially frightening after the birth of a child – on a tiny body it looks just gigantic. The baby grows faster than the nevus. Therefore, it seems that the mole decreases over time, but in fact it continues to grow.

In 30% of cases, a giant nevus degenerates into melanoma. Transforms at any age. Some people face this threat in their youth, others live with them into old age. It is noteworthy that large moles do not disappear even in the elderly.

When they are reborn:

• Increase
• Change color and shape
• Bleeding
• Crust

Doctors recommend removing these nevi. Usually a surgical operation is performed – the doctor cuts off the mole with a scalpel. This method is not always available with a complex location of the neoplasm or for other reasons.

Instead:

• Curettage
• Dermabrasion
• Ablative Laser Therapy

These procedures do not remove the nevus completely, but eliminate its external imperfections: hair, strong pigmentation.

Large facial moles are especially difficult to deal with.

Nevi on the head

One of the main reasons why people remove moles is cosmetic. Neoplasms on the chest and legs can also look ugly, but they are almost always hidden under clothing.

With nevi on the head, everything is more complicated.

For some people, these moles emphasize beauty, for others they spoil the whole impression. Many want to get rid of even harmless neoplasms that will never degenerate into malignant tumors.

Nevi on the neck are removed for similar reasons.

Moles in this area constantly touch clothing and are damaged. Of course, not all. Flat neoplasms are usually invisible and do not rub with tight clothing. High nevi are another matter. Dermatologists recommend removing such moles if they become damaged and inflamed. In general, they cause a lot of trouble and without the possible transformation into a deadly melanoma.

The face and neck are not the only places where nevi start. They also appear in the hair, and it is much more difficult to detect them this way. And it’s easier to hurt.

In this part of the body, nevi of the sebaceous glands are often found – a warty yellow-pink plaque without hair. Has an oval or irregular shape.

Such a mole grows due to:

• Human papillomavirus
• Genetic predisposition

A nevus of the sebaceous glands appears both among the hair and near the ears, on the neck or face. In most cases, it is formed during the development of the fetus, but it can also grow in children.

How to identify such a mole?

Doctors usually notice it immediately after the baby is born. They perform examinations and dermatoscopy. Sometimes a histological examination is necessary – dermatologists examine a sample of a nevus under a microscope.

Should a mole be removed immediately?

No. It is reborn only at puberty. Therefore, nevi of the sebaceous glands are removed from adolescents, and not from infants.

Remove moles of various sizes.

Large ones are eliminated surgically, small ones – with a laser, cryodestruction or electrocoagulation.

Before surgery, the child should have the nevus checked regularly by a dermatologist.

Out of sight, out of skin. How to get rid of moles

Tough question. Many factors affect the ability to remove tumors. Unfortunately, no pills have yet been invented that will save you from annoying or dangerous moles.

Yes, small nevi are usually easy to treat.

Successful removal depends on:

• Physician qualifications
• Mole size
• Nevus locations

The first option is surgery. The doctor cuts off the mole, some of the adjacent skin, and then sews up the wound. The nevus heals quickly enough after removal, but a noticeable trace remains.

Whether this is good is up to you.

What about laser surgery?

Yes, modern technology does offer new treatments, but they don’t work miracles as some people think. Lasers are used to treat certain skin conditions. But not all nevi.

The laser beam vaporizes the outer layer of skin and mole cells. The deeper it is rooted, the more difficult it is to destroy it completely – sometimes the surface layer is burned out, and the base remains intact. Then the nevus grows.

The operation has to be repeated again and again, but there is no guarantee of the result. So the surgical procedure is sometimes more reliable than laser surgery.

However, in some situations, the high-tech procedure does the job. Removes small nevi. Working with large neoplasms is much more difficult.

We recommend choosing laser nevus removal only after consulting a dermatologist and checking the neoplasm.

Another important point is the choice of a doctor. Many doctors managed to accumulate vast experience in eliminating small moles. They are found in everyone. Therefore, doctors work with them very often and know well how to quickly remove nevi.

But what about large moles?

They are not common and therefore it is difficult to find a doctor who operates on them regularly. Read reviews about the removal of nevi on the websites of different clinics. This is useful. You will find out what operations were performed by the doctors of these medical institutions and the impression of patients from their work.

Gather more information.

During your checkup, ask your dermatologist about available treatments for moles. Perhaps, in your case, surgery and laser therapy are not the best options. Harmless nevi can not be removed at all.

Moles are removed in many medical institutions. But where to go? We would like to recommend one of these clinics.

Removal of nevi in ​​the LaserSweet clinic in 100 seconds or faster

Nowadays, nevi of various types are easily removed in beauty salons. And the procedure is inexpensive. But the quality and result of the operation is not always guaranteed.

Remove moles only in well-equipped clinics.

And here’s why.

The basis of a successful operation is an accurate diagnosis of neoplasms. Just examining a mole is sometimes not enough and a dermatoscopy is needed. That is the use of a dermatoscope.

The LaserSweet clinic uses a Delta 20 T dermatoscope, which magnifies the skin image by 16 times. With its help, our doctors easily determine the type of nevus and timely notice the signs of degeneration. Helps to quickly detect melanoma.

Our doctors have accumulated vast experience in diagnosing moles – they have examined over 100,000 patients. They are familiar with cutting-edge neoplasm research from their overseas training. Even dermatologists of the second category.

Doctors of “Lazersvit” will easily remove nevi from an adult or a child. Benefits of the procedure:

• Fast

On average, one small mole is removed in 1-2 minutes. Therefore, sometimes doctors remove many nevi at once, one after another – it will take 30 to 40 minutes for 20 moles.

• Painless

The laser pulses are very short, lasting a fraction of a second, and the skin is constantly cooled. Patients do not have time to feel anything. In long operations on large moles, local anesthesia is used.

• Bloodless

Laser beam destroys nevi, seals blood vessels and prevents bleeding.

• Easy healing

A protective crust grows on the site of the removed mole, which prevents infection. She disappears in a week. Redness of the skin disappears in 3 weeks.

• Traceless

The laser only destroys nevus cells and when they are destroyed the skin is restored. The new skin is smooth and without scars.

• Efficiency

Vaporized neoplasms do not rebuild, as doctors burn out all their cells.

What about the cost of removing a nevus?

It depends on the type of tumor, its size and location. Moles in hard-to-reach places are more difficult to eliminate, which means that the cost of the procedure increases. Sometimes additional surgery is needed.

Large nevi cannot be removed immediately and doctors treat them in several stages. Talk to the dermatologist after the examination and he will explain in detail how much it costs to remove a particular mole and how long the procedure takes.

Come to “LaserSvit” for quick and comfortable getting rid of dangerous and uncomfortable nevi.

Moles: should we be afraid?

Almost everyone has some number of moles, which usually appear in childhood and adolescence.

Almost everyone has some number of moles that usually appear during childhood and adolescence. The medical name is nevus (naevus maternus), a malformation of the skin, in which certain parts of it differ in color and / or a special warty appearance of the surface.

Many skin and subcutaneous neoplasms are quite common, and a careful examination by an oncologist is sufficient for a preliminary diagnosis. Most skin tumors are benign, but malignant tumors are also not uncommon, so early and accurate diagnosis is extremely important.

To provoke a mole to rebirth, of course, a push, an irritant is needed. The strongest irritant of all possible is excessive exposure to the sun.
Ultraviolet irradiation in high doses causes irreversible changes in skin cells, greatly increasing the risk of their degeneration. For each person, the critical amount of insolation is purely individual. It is not easy to determine this line, so it is better to just remember that prolonged exposure to the sun is harmful to the body. The skin is forced to protect itself from ultraviolet radiation. Excessive tanning is inevitable burns that “hit” the skin’s immunity.

The second common cause of tumor development is trauma to the mole. Therefore, if you touched it with your fingernail, inadvertently damaged it with a washcloth, with some sharp object, especially if these injuries are permanent (for example, from underwear), be sure to see a doctor. Teach your children from childhood to take care of small marks on the skin.
Because birthmarks are very common and melanomas are rare, prophylactic mole removal is not warranted. Look at the mole at an angle, take a magnifying glass: a uniform color, a smooth edge, a transition of the “skin pattern” from an area with a normal color to a pigmented area, the presence of hair is a good sign.

However, if the mole suddenly increases in size (especially if there are uneven edges), darkens, becomes inflamed, becomes mottled, starts to bleed, ulcerates, itches or hurts, the “lacquer” surface of the mole, the special pattern of the edge – alarm!
Having found possible signs of degeneration of a mole, be sure to consult an oncologist.

It is important to remember that all removed moles are subject to mandatory morphological (histological) examination, because the final diagnosis for the morphologist. Only he, through a microscope, knows the danger in person.

Signs of malignant transformation of pigmented neoplasms according to the “BLOW” scheme:

• Growth acceleration
• Diameter over 6 mm
• Asymmetry, irregular shape
• Multicolour, change in color of one of the sections

More than a hundred oncological diseases are known to science, but melanoma among them is the recognized “insidious and evil queen”. The insidiousness and aggressiveness of this type of skin cancer is unparalleled. Once having arisen, the disease can imperceptibly develop in the superficial layers of the skin for 5–50 (!) years. Then, having chosen the weakest place on the skin – a mole or a pigment spot, single cells of a ripening tumor begin to grow in depth.

In order not to start the problem, you just need to be a little more attentive to yourself and not miss the first alarming symptoms. About how serious your concerns are, you need to consult with an oncologist. Self-treatment of age spots and moles is dangerous, but self-examination is welcome!
If you have even a slight suspicion, you should visit an oncologist. In such situations, correspondence consultations and consultations of cosmetologists are unacceptable!

What are moles?

Lentigo (marginal) is a flat, uniformly pigmented brown to black patch resulting from an increase in the number of melanocytes at the border of the epidermis and dermis (skin layers). Compared to freckles, lentigines are darker and less common; moreover, their color does not increase and the number does not increase under the influence of solar radiation.
Epidermal-dermal nevi are usually flat, but sometimes slightly elevated above the level of the skin. Coloring from light brown to almost black, sizes – from 1 to 10 mm. Birthmarks on the palms, soles, and genital area are usually epidermal-dermal.
Complex nevi – more often have a dark color due to the accumulation of melanocytes and to some extent rise above the level of the skin.
Intradermal nevi elevated above skin level; their color varies from flesh to black, and the surface may be smooth, hairy, or warty.
Sutton’s nevi are pigmented birthmarks (usually complex and intradermal nevi) surrounded by a ring of depigmented (unstained) skin. Sutton’s nevi disappear spontaneously, and only in rare cases give rise to malignant melanomas.
Dysplastic nevi are pigmented spots of irregular shape and indistinct borders, slightly elevated above the level of the skin, their color varies from reddish-brown to dark brown on a pink background.