Some moles have the potential to turn into the skin cancer melanoma, but this gallery contains pictures of normal, noncancerous moles and includes a discussion about what makes them benign-appearing.
If a mole forms over a hair follicle, over time the hair may grow through the mole and poke out the other side. This is very common, and removing the hair by plucking or shaving will not cause the mole to become cancerous.
It’s benign because it has been there for years and hasn’t changed, and all of this person’s other moles have the same color variation. This is a good example of why you should have your skin checked regularly by a healthcare provider and why you should do your own skin self-exams. Knowing what your moles typically look like helps you notice any changes and helps you figure out when you should see your healthcare provider.
As you can see in this picture, a portion of this mole looks like it’s been rubbing against something, causing irritation. This red, raised mole should heal in the same amount of time that it takes for abrasions on other parts of the skin to heal.
