Types Of Moles Explained
A mole is basically a lesion on the skin. In most cases, it is colored by the skin pigment known as melanin. (Hence the color which is usually darker than the surrounding skin). Some moles are not pigmented, and can sometimes be mistaken for warts.
The medical term for a mole is Melanocytic nevus. There are different types of moles. Removal options may also differ for the variations of moles that exist.
Congenital Nevi are moles that exist on a persons skin from birth. This is a not so common type of mole. Only about 1 in a hundred people is born with moles. However, congenital nevi are more likely to turn into a malignant melanoma (skin cancer) than other moles.
Aquired Nevi are moles that are not present at birth, but form at a later age. These are the more common type.
Some moles are flat, while others are raised. There are three different varieties:
Junctional Nevi: A junctional nevus is usually flat, and black to brown in color.
Intradermal Nevi: An Intradermal nevus is raised; they are usually flesh-colored (so not pigmented).
Compound Nevi: This type of mole is a mixture of the junctional and intradermal type. Compound nevi are slightly raised and brown to black. (So they do have pigment). So called "Beauty marks" are usually compound nevi.
Blue Nevi: This type of mole is blue in color because the melanocytes are located deep in the skin.
Spitz Nevi: A type of Intradermal nevus, that is most common in children. These are raised and usually flesh-colored (without pigment).
Giant Pigmented Nevi: As the name already points out, these moles are very large and pigmented. Often there is hair growing on them as well.
If you want to read more about the different types of moles you can have a look at this Wikipedia page about Moles.