What is a Mole?

Moles can be a bit like family members, you may hate them but you are stuck with them. That is, until you get them surgically removed (your mole that is).

Some people have them their whole lives, some develop them later on usually in time for high school of course. Some people have them neatly hidden away and you may never know they have one, while others have them in uncomfortable or prominent places such as on the face, hands or stomach. What is a mole besides a socially unacceptable mark and the downfall of a pretty face? Well, it’s many things really.

What is a Mole - The Science

A mole is usually a round or oval shaped mark on the skin that can be in a variety of colors from brown to red. They are caused by pigmented skin cells grouping together in one area as opposed to be spread out throughout the layers of your skin. They are also known as Nevi or Nevus for a singular skin mole. Moles are often just a name given to any dark spot or irregularity in the skin. They can be smooth, rough, dark, light, small, large, flat, raised, red, black, brown or pink. Sun exposure can often trigger moles to become more visible over time.

What is a Mole - In Culture

In some cultures the mole is often regarded as a sign of good or bad luck depending on where it is located, and what type of mole it is. Some moles can be highly respected especially in the faces of women and are sometimes referred to as “Beauty Spots” especially if they are small, circular and around the lip area. In china, an ancient method of divination is used with moles called Moleomancy or Moleoscopy. This is much like getting a horoscope based on your birth date and time except it is your moles which reveal all. For more information on facial mole reading you can visit our page Face Reading Moles or if you would like to learn more about the moles on your body you can visit Chinese Mole Reading.

What is a Mole - In Society

In western society particularly, moles are often seen as a hindrance for a person. They can be socially degenerative and emotionally distressing for an individual even resulting in depression. This is particularly true of moles in the facial region where a person will feel like their face has been ruined by an ugly invader from the planet Molus. In these cases it is often recommended for the individual to consult their doctor about possible mole removal methods as a health concern. It’s especially difficult for those of us who have moles in prominent places during our teenage years. As the saying goes, kids can be very cruel and people with a mole on their face may feel socially inadequate and excluded because of this. It may even be the case that they are directly being bullied or mistreated by other kids.