Are moles harmful?

Moles are colored areas of the skin that contain the pigment melanin. Moles may be small or large, raised or flat, and may or may not contain hair. They range in color from pink to very dark brown or black.

The tendency to develop moles is genetic, although spending too much time in the sun can increase the number of moles a person has. Having a large number of moles is associated with increased skin cancer risk.

Most moles are harmless. However, changes in the size, shape, or color of a mole may indicate something serious and require a skin cancer screening from a healthcare provider.

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