Why do moles make hair grow? Answers and tips

Moles – also called beauty marks à la old Hollywood actresses (or maybe even your grandma) – are completely natural. Even now, people draw beauty marks on their faces as part of their makeup routine, to add some uniqueness and charm to their looks.

However, natural moles are skin growths that appear as early as childhood and can persist throughout adult years. They are usually small, dark-colored spots that appear anywhere on your skin and are often harmless. But what does it mean if your birthmark grows hairs?

A hairy mole can be disturbing, but is it dangerous? Here, board-certified dermatologist Paul Curtiss, MD, FAAD of American Dermatology Partners Carrolltonexplains why moles grow hair, what this could mean, and indicates that your mole needs to be checked.

First off, what exactly are moles?

Moles are simply a collection of cells on the skin, says Dr. Curtiss. The medical term for this cluster of dark spots is melanocytes. Most people grow between 10 and 45 moles on their skin during childhood and teenage years Mayo Clinic. Some of these moles may persist over time, while others may fade.

“Melanocytes are normally distributed over our skin and release natural pigment. It is normal for multiple collections of moles to form early in life,” says Dr. Curtiss.

Birthmarks can literally grow anywhere: on your arms, face, ears or even on your butt! Normally this is nothing to worry about, but in rare cases, moles (including hairy moles) can cause cancer. Read on for the signs to look out for.

Why do moles make hair grow?

Birthmarks can be hairless or hairy, usually depending on where they develop on the body. If a mole is on top of a hair follicle, the hair will grow out of the mole more quickly, just like if there is hair on a pimple.

“Moles are normal structures in our skin and do not normally obstruct other structures in our skin,” says Dr. Curtiss. “As such, moles in normal hair-bearing areas (which are most parts of the body except our palms and soles) can grow hair.”

Are hairy moles a sign of cancer?

First of all, don’t panic: a hairy mole doesn’t automatically mean it’s cancer. Many people immediately think that it is melanoma (a form of skin cancer), but according to the researchers, melanoma is only responsible for 1 percent of skin cancer cases. American Cancer Society.

“Generally speaking, a hair in a normal-looking mole is not a sign of cancer,” says Dr. Curtiss. He says signs of a ‘normal’ mole include:

• Uniform color: brown, brown or black
• Round or oval shaped
• Flat on the skin or raised
• Less than six millimeters (about ¼ inch) in diameter

Most moles are harmless and usually remain that way. Still, it is important to know what skin cancer looks like. According to Dr. Curtiss, the most common symptoms of melanoma in a mole are the following:

• An irregular or uneven shape or edge
• Color differences (as if it went from brown to brown or black)
• Darkening within a mole (only part of it turns dark brown or black)
• Change in mole size

If you notice changes in your moles or are concerned about new moles that have grown, contact your doctor. They may suggest that you be checked by a dermatologist to make sure your moles are benign.

“In general, a hair in a normal-looking mole is not a sign of cancer.” – Paul Curtiss, MD, FAAD, dermatologist

How do you get rid of hairy moles?

The hairs that grow from moles can be easily shaved, waxed or plucked. (Just make sure the method you use is gentle enough not to damage the skin.) And to do that complete remove the mole itself, they need to be cut off, according to Dr. Curtiss. Mole removal is a quick procedure performed by a dermatologist, either for cosmetic reasons or to test whether a mole is cancerous.

In general, moles don’t need to be removed, but if you’re bothered by the pesky hairs, removing the hair doesn’t pose any inherent risk, says Dr. Curtiss.

One method you should not have to But try to remove hairs from moles? Laser treatment, warns Dr. Curtiss.

“Treatments such as laser hair removal should be avoided for moles as the laser may have difficulty localizing the energy to the hair follicles. [targeting] pigment in the birthmark.” Basically, instead of removing the hairs, laser treatment can cause discoloration and make the mole look worse.

When should you consult a doctor?

In general, you should consult a dermatologist if you have new moles, or moles that have grown in size or changed in appearance. “Although it is normal for moles to appear during childhood, you should develop fewer new moles [as you age]” says Dr. Curtiss. “New moles after age 30 may be harmless, but should probably be checked by your health care provider.”

Ultimately, most moles are harmless, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you haven’t had a routine skin check with a dermatologist before, now might be the time to do so. They can let you know how often you need to come in for a check-up, and if you need to worry about your beauty marks.

FAQ

Why do hair from moles grow thicker?

Like Dr. As Curtiss explains, moles do not interrupt or obstruct other structures on our skin (i.e. our hair follicles). So when a mole begins to develop on strong hair roots, such as on our arms or chin, thick and coarse strands of hair can begin to grow through the mole. This is often why moles on your arms or legs grow thicker hair than moles on your cheeks or stomach, where finer hairs grow.

Why do strange hairs grow from moles?

While not necessarily “weird”, there are several species of hairs that can grow from moles. And each mole hair can look different from the other depending on where it is on your body. For example, you may have white or gray hairs growing near your hairline or on your chin, especially if you develop gray hairs on other parts of your body. Black, brown, curly, or coarse hair can also appear elsewhere on your body, especially if your body hair is naturally that way.

These differences in hair color and texture can also be caused by melanocytes, that is, the cells that make up the pigment of a birthmark. This pigment can not only give the birthmark a certain color, but it can also ensure that the hairs that grow from it get a certain color.

Is a hair growing from a mole lucky?

You may have heard the old urban legend that hair growing from a mole brings good luck. This myth originated in China, with the premise that it will bring luck and fortune. Unfortunately, there’s no scientific proof that this is true, but it is a sign that there is a healthy hair follicle underneath the mole (which sounds pretty lucky if you ask us).