Melanocytic Nevi – Overview

Melanocytic Nevi are one of the most common skin lesions that I encounter in both my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices.  Melanocytes are cells which produce melanin and nevi/nevus are skin lesions comprised of an aggregation of melanocytes.   Essentially, the common term “mole” applies to Melanocytic Nevi.  Most Melanocytic Nevi begin in childhood and increase in number until the mid 30’s at which time the number stabilizes.  Typically, Melanocytic Nevi follow an orderly evolution in which they begin as flat brown/black macules called junctional nevi.  Next, they raise into a papular form that maintains the brown/black color and are called combined melanocytic nevi.  Ultimately, they lose their pigment and appear flesh colored as they nevus cells are confined to the dermis and they are called intradermal nevi.