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Types of Blue Moles on the Face

Blue moles (nevi) are commonly found on the faces of women, but they may be present on other parts of the body. Moles may be blue in coloring because their roots are deep under the skin, which causes the nevi to take on a lighter appearance. Blue moles are most common on people who have light skin pigmentation.

  1. Normal

    • Since blue moles are located deep in the skin, they are usually flush to the skin or slightly raised above the surface of the skin. Blue nevi may even be located completely underneath the skin. Most blue moles have a very dark blue color that looks almost black. Blue moles on the face mostly represent a cosmetic problem because of their dark appearance.

    Cellular

    • Unlike most blue moles, cellular blue nevi stick out from the skin and have a large and firm circular shape. According to Dr. Rudolf R. Roth of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, these lesions usually measure between one and three centimeters in diameter. Cellular blue moles may vary in coloring from bluish black to grayish blue. According to this resource, this type of mole on the face may be completely normal, or it may be evidence of skin melanoma (cancer).

    Epithelioid

    • Epithelioid blue moles are extremely dense moles which have a uniform dark blue coloring. These moles are usually raised and are a side effect of Carney complex (CNC). CNC is a dominant hereditary condition that causes hyperpigmentation in skin tissues, in addition to causing tumors in the heart and skin. Most people do not have to worry about these types of moles, because CNC is very rare.

    Benign

    • Benign and malignant refer to whether or not a mole is noncancerous or cancerous, respectively. In most cases, blue moles are benign (noncancerous), because the pigmentation is drawn from deep below the skin. Facial blue moles, with a fairly uniform pattern and no change in coloration, border, or size over time, have a very low risk of causing skin cancer.

    Malignant

    • Malignant (cancer causing) blue moles are most commonly found on the scalp according to the National Institute of Health. Malignant blue nevi experience a growth in size and will no longer have a uniform pattern or round border, taking on the appearance of a cellular blue nevi. If any blue moles on the body change in shape, size, or color, it is a good idea to have these moles looked at by a dermatologist to determine if they are cancerous. If blue moles on the face do present a health risk, they will be excised (surgically removed).

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