Caring for your moles is caring for yourself
Did you know that we have between ten and thirty moles on our body? The predisposition to having moles can increase depending on your genetics and skin care habits. It is thus apparent that moles say a lot about you: about your genes and about how you take care of your skin. But the first thing you must understand is just what moles are. A mole is a small spot caused by an accumulation of pigment that appears on the skin.
When do moles occur?
All moles are caused by melanocytes. They are in charge of the pigmentation of your skin and form a coloured spot that stands out from the rest of your skin when they group together in a small, generally round cluster. A mole usually becomes a characteristic feature of the person who has it. Who doesn’t recognise Marilyn Monroe for her mole?
There are different types of moles:
- Some are present at birth (and are called congenital moles or congenital melanocytic nevi)
- The majority appear throughout our lifetime, especially during adolescence (and are called acquired moles or acquired melanocytic nevi)
What are the main factors that lead to the appearance of moles?
- Major hormonal changes: when our body experiences a change in hormones –for example during adolescence or during a pregnancy– we can observe an increase in moles on our body.
- Excessive exposure to the sun: Exposure to the sun, especially during childhood and adolescence, has an influence on the number of moles your skin can develop as well as on their size. You should never forget that #yourskinalwaysremembers, and always keep in mind that the chances of new marks and moles appearing increases with each hour your skin is exposed to the sun.
Why you should check your moles:
Because any change that occurs on a mole may indicate something. Periodically examine each of your moles and check that none of the following is happening:
- Change in size
- Change in shape
- Change in colour
- Burning or itchiness
The best advice is to see your dermatologist at least once a year and update him/her on the evolution of your moles. The majority of moles are benign, but some could end up turning into melanomas.
You should always take into account that your skin is your body’s largest organ. Remember that #yourskinalwaysremembers and try to protect it from the sun in addition to following all of the advice given for taking care of it. If you do this your moles won’t have any reason for becoming a problem. They are a part of you...so make sure that they are a sign of a healthy you!
