FAQ: Hairy Moles

Moles on the skin come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

The vast majority of moles are harmless. However, everybody should be vigilant for changing or unusual moles which can be signs of dangerous melanoma (a form of skin cancer), requiring urgent treatment. This issue is dealt with in a past article The Facts About Moles. 

For most moles, the main concern is their appearance, which, depending on the mole's location and presentation, can be unwelcome for a wide variety of reasons. 

Perhaps the worst kind of mole, aesthetically, is one that appears on the face and has hair sprouting. Often the hair can grow longer or thicker or even a different colour to the surrounding area, attracting further attention.

Many patients do not understand how to deal with the problem and are rightfully cautious about any treatment for the mole, which means that the hair continues to grow unchecked. 

Here are a few common questions about hairy moles to explain the problem. 

Why do Moles Grow Hairs?

Moles are made of skin cells and share many of the properties including the potential to grow hair. Hairy moles tend to appear in areas where hair is prone to grow i.e. the chin and upper lip (this applies to women as well as men). These areas have strong hair roots, so growth can be surprisingly fast and thick. 

It is not of any medical concern, but we do understand that patients do not like the look of it.