The Beauty of Beauty Marks

BEAUTY MARKS! I absolutely love them. They are the epitome of individuality 🙌🏼 - what are they exactly? Beauty marks are essentially moles that are created when skin cells called melanocytes grow in a cluster instead of spreading throughout the skin. Melanocytes are responsible for making the natural pigment that gives our skin its color. Moles are dark because when these cells are clustered together they produce a whole lot of pigment for just a small area of skin. Unlike freckles or  brown spots, moles do not require exposure to sunlight to appear. With age, some moles start to change on their own. Some people develop raised moles, and sometimes moles change color or grow hair. Although most of these changes are normal, some changes in moles need to be watched, and can be a cause for concern. Melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer, starts in moles. When checking for cancerous moles, doctors recommend looking at the A-B-C-D-E’s of the mole: •Asymmetry: one half of the mole is a different shape from the other

•Border: the edges of the mole are ragged or blurred

•Color: the color of the mole is not the same throughout; it has different shades such as tan, brown, black, blue, white, or red

•Diameter: the mole has a diameter larger than the eraser of a pencil.

•Evolution: the mole has been changing in size, shape, or color.

If your mole presents any of the characteristics above, it is a good idea to get it checked by a dermatologist. You should be especially wary of new moles that appear after the age of 30 🧐