Is growing hair on moles a symptom of melanoma?

Many people are concerned about the question: is it possible to pull out hair from a mole? Experts identify several reasons for the appearance of moles on the body:

1. Genetics. If parents have pigment spots on their skin, then their children will probably have them too, and there is a high probability that they will be in the same places.
2. Hormonal surges. Moles, or nevi, often appear during adolescence or other hormonal changes, such as pregnancy.
3. Ultraviolet radiation. Prolonged exposure to the sun without special protective equipment leads to increased pigmentation.

The danger of nevi is that they can transform into melanoma, that is, skin cancer. In this regard, it is worth noting one interesting fact: hair grows only from benign moles, which extremely rarely transform into a malignant tumor.

What does a hair on a nevus mean?

A mole is essentially a congenital or acquired skin defect. It appears due to the accumulation of pigment cells in the epidermis and is usually considered a completely benign neoplasm. Small moles usually don't attract the attention of their owners, but if hair grows from them, they become much more difficult to ignore. And if there is a large mole with hairs on the body, then it causes severe anxiety and concern.

By the way, doctors assure that such a symptom does not indicate any pathology. Hairy nevi are a natural physiological phenomenon.

Hair can grow on different parts of the body. They appear only in mature cells with a good blood supply. Pigmentation, including local one, does not in any way affect the activity of hair follicles. Nevertheless, if you have strange black and brown nevi on your body, you should still show them to a doctor, he will help you figure out why hair appeared on them and whether something needs to be done about it.

Could they have melanoma?

A popular theory among many people is that the presence of hair on a mole guarantees its good quality. They say cancer processes usually disrupt the activity of hair follicles. However, experienced dermatologists assure that such an opinion is just a myth that has no basis. Hair grows from the follicular layer, which is lower than the growth area of ​​the mole. Accordingly, hairs can even be found on cancerous tumors.

Also very popular is the view that hair from a mole begins to fall out when it becomes malignant. However, this opinion is erroneous and quite dangerous, since in case of cancer, hair stops growing only after the tumor penetrates deep enough into the tissue and, possibly, begins to metastasize.

On a wart

A wart is a benign skin tumor caused by the activity of the HPV virus. This tumor can appear in different parts of the body, but hair usually does not grow on it. However, tumors that look like warts can appear on the skin, but only a dermatologist can understand what they really are. In particular, convex moles, which can differ in color - be light or dark, are considered quite common. Hairs often grow from them.

On a birthmark

A birthmark is a congenital nevus, the causes of which lie in the accumulation of melanocytes (skin cells that produce pigment) in the skin. Such a pigmented neoplasm is most often safe, although exceptions are possible.

Hair (both black and gray) may well grow from a birthmark, just like from a mole. Dye cells accumulate in the upper layers of the skin, while hair follicles are located much lower.

What dangerous moles look like

Clinical observations have shown that a mole can be dangerous not because of whether hair grows on it or not, what shape it has, but by the signs that can distinguish it from other nevi on the patient’s skin. Medical practice calls this principle the “ugly duckling”.

This is confirmed by a large number of cases where in patients with many “non-standard” moles, the malignant tumor looked like a correctly shaped and evenly colored mole, which differed from others precisely in its standard and healthy forms. The same numerous cases, but on the other side, when in patients the majority of moles had a normal appearance, the malignant formation manifested itself in the form of a “non-standard” mole, which differed from the rest in roughness, uneven bordering, uneven color and other signs.

Therefore, the answer to the question of which nevi can be dangerous can be answered as follows:

• A mole that has an uneven color, where one half of it may be darker than the other.
• Dark or white dots on a mole may indicate danger, especially in cases where these signs, as well as concurrent changes in shape and other characteristics, have recently appeared.
• A mole that is sharply different from other moles on the patient’s body and looks strange against their background can be considered dangerous, and especially if it:
• She is old, and after years she suddenly began to behave strangely. This “strangeness” can be characterized by pain, cracking, growth of a mole, bleeding and itching.
• A newly formed mole that, from the very beginning, differs from the moles present on the patient’s skin.

In most cases, these signs can give a correct description of whether a mole is dangerous or not. Of course, as we have already said, there are some exceptions to the general rules. For example, a mole on the patient’s skin was always unevenly colored and had dark or white dots, but in recent years no changes have been observed in it. Or the patient has other moles, and they are also unevenly colored, then it is unlikely to be dangerous. You should consult a doctor if, while observing a mole, the patient notices:

• the mole began to increase in size;
• began to acquire a more pronounced color or, on the contrary, began to fade;
• asymmetry and uneven edges began to appear in the mole;
• it began to swell, etc.

Do not delay your visit to a specialist; your fears may not be in vain - after all, hair can grow at the site of melanoma - a malignant formation. Moreover, recently more and more patients are being attacked by melanoma. The number of deaths from this malignant tumor is also increasing. As a rule, the disease tends to develop rapidly, so delaying in such situations is very dangerous for health. If you notice the slightest signs of degeneration of a mole, contact a specialist immediately.

If it has increased, but there are still hairs on it?

Sometimes moles on the body begin to change - they increase in size, become lumpy and uneven. Doctors emphasize that a nevus that changes its structure must in any case be shown to a dermatologist as soon as possible. The presence or absence of hair on a mole makes no difference.

Why do they appear in the place of the remote one?

Mole removal is a fairly common procedure. Some nevi are removed solely for cosmetic reasons, while doctors strongly recommend getting rid of others (if there is a high risk of malignancy). At the site of the removed mole, a trace usually remains - a small scar. Its severity directly depends on the chosen removal method.

After some time, hair may begin to grow at the site of the removed mole. This phenomenon is absolutely normal and does not require any close attention.

Causes of hair growth

Among the reasons for the appearance of convex growths covered with hair are:

• genetic predisposition;
• hormonal disorders;
• radiation and UV radiation.

Hair stopped growing from the nevus

A mole is a formation of living cells, but from a benign nevus it can degenerate into a malignant tumor.

If hairs have stopped growing from the nevus, there is a high probability of melanoma. However, one should not rush to conclusions.

Only a dermato-oncologist can diagnose a tumor. Hair may also stop growing after unsuccessful removal with tweezers, due to a lack of vitamin E or hormonal imbalances.

Is it possible to pluck?

Moles can be located absolutely anywhere, and if hair grows from them, this can become a serious cosmetic flaw. In particular, a hairy nevus on the face is very eye-catching, and neither girls nor boys want to put up with it. But cosmetologists warn that you should not pull out hairs from a mole. It is better not to disturb or tug at the nevus, so as not to provoke its malignancy. After all, as you know, constant trauma to a mole can trigger the development of cancer. Therefore, you definitely shouldn’t pull out hair with tweezers or remove it with an epilator. Also, cosmetologists do not recommend tearing out unwanted vegetation on nevi using wax strips, sugar paste and other similar methods.

How to get rid of an aesthetic problem: modern methods

A person has hair growing from a mole: what does this mean and how to remove the problem, an experienced doctor will tell you. He will tell you why hairy growths do not pose a danger to humans. He will also explain that there are two methods that can eliminate the problem. The first method is to regularly cut the hair using scissors. Before cutting, scissors must be disinfected with alcohol or peroxide to prevent infection if an accidental cut occurs. The second method is based on removing the mole using modern technology. Removal methods:

• Laser surgery. It differs from other methods in its high popularity and many reviews. There is no pain during the removal process. After the operation there is no scar or scar, so it is advisable to use a laser if the nevus is located on the face.
• Electrocoagulation. An electric current is used to burn away the birthmark. The disadvantage is that the skin area is sore. The pain will disappear in a week.
• Surgical intervention. Used to remove large nevi that are located on areas of the body that are inaccessible to the eye. This is explained by the fact that this method leaves scars.
• Cryodestruction. Liquid nitrogen is used for removal. With its help, the nevus is frozen, as a result of which the cells of the formation die off. Not used to remove growths located on the face, as it leaves scars.
• Radio wave elimination. Using high-frequency waves and a radio knife, the doctor removes the nevus. The advantage of the method is the absence of a scar and the possibility of re-formation of the birthmark.

If you remove hairs from a growth using scissors, you must remember that cutting is allowed from a flat, small formation. If the shape is convex and there are no clearly defined edges, cutting the hair is not recommended. When hairs are pulled out from a nevus, the rate of their regrowth increases. Only then will they become darker and harsher.

If the child has hair on the spot, cutting or plucking the hairs is not recommended. It is worth consulting with a pediatric dermatologist who will conduct a thorough examination and give recommendations for further action. It is important to explain to the child that the hairs on the nevus should not be touched. In case of accidental damage, disinfect the wound with three percent hydrogen peroxide and lubricate it with iodine or brilliant green. If the affected nevus has acquired a different shape, begins to hurt and itch, you should urgently visit a doctor.

If a hairy mole is located in a place that is constantly exposed to mechanical stress, you should consider removing it. Because when shaving hairs on a nevus, an inflammatory process may develop. As a result of inflammation, the formation will increase in size, change color to dark, and begin to hurt. You can also observe peeling, burning in the area of ​​the growth, and itching. Such symptoms indicate that the process of degeneration of education has intensified. If you consult a doctor in a timely manner, you can avoid consequences in the form of skin cancer.

How to get rid of it?

Many owners of nevi with hairs are interested in whether it is possible to at least cut off the unsightly hairs on them. And doctors are generally confident that this is the only possible method of dealing with such a problem at home.

Under no circumstances should you:

• Etch and lighten hair with chemicals (peroxide, plant juice, etc.).
• Try to remove hair on a mole with laser or phototherapy.
• Shave hairs. Sharp blades also injure the nevus, even if they do not lead to bleeding - they scratch off the thinnest layer of skin on the mole, which can lead to malignancy.

If the hair on a nevus causes severe discomfort, it is better to consult a dermatologist and choose the safest method for removing such a growth.

What methods should not be used to remove hair from moles?

Patients often ask the question whether it is possible to pull out or pluck hair from a nevus. It is worth remembering that you cannot remove hair from it using standard methods.

It is prohibited to perform such procedures on moles as:

• pulling out hair with tweezers;
• shaving;
• use of wax and laser hair removal.

Any of these actions leads to inflammation of the bulb, injury to the nevus and its degeneration. If the hair was removed by accidental pulling or the area around it began to bleed, it is better to see a doctor.