# Why Do Moles Have A Big Hair Sticking Out Of Them? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 27, 2002, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-moles-have-a-big-hair-sticking-out-of-them/125789 "2002-08-27T16:22:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Surreal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@Surreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surreal)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-moles-have-a-big-hair-sticking-out-of-them/125789/1 "2002-08-27T16:22:49Z")
Why is it that moles generally have one or more large hairs sticking out of them? Why are these mole hairs generally thicker than the other body hair in the surrounding region?? Does Cindy Crawford have to shave her mole every morning??? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-moles-have-a-big-hair-sticking-out-of-them/125789/2 "2002-08-27T16:59:16Z")
Mole shaving? I’ve not been so outraged since I first heard about cat juggling. Have people no shamen? ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-moles-have-a-big-hair-sticking-out-of-them/125789/3 "2002-08-27T17:28:05Z")
All part of the trendy new “naked mole rat” look that’s all the rage among small insectivores these days. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-moles-have-a-big-hair-sticking-out-of-them/125789/4 "2002-08-27T17:32:49Z")
No. Cindy Crawford does not have to shave her mole every morning. Her shamen shaves it for her. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-moles-have-a-big-hair-sticking-out-of-them/125789/5 "2002-08-27T17:52:17Z")
On top of that, if I went to a Mexican resturaunt and found a hair in my mole, I would be rather annoyed. As long as I’m going to crack wise, I might as well offer this, too: > [@](#): > > Q What is the significance of hairs in a mole, and does their removal by plucking or electrolysis lead to melanoma? > > Moles not infrequently are “hairy,” particularly those present since birth. Many lay people construe this as a sign of progression to cancer when in fact it emphasizes the benignity of the mole. As we age, previously fine, non-pigmented “vellus” hairs becomes thicker and pigmented, known as “terminal” hairs, for unknown reasons. This is common on the ears of men, and upper lip and chin of women. A similar process can occur within moles, that is, formerly inconspicuous vellus hairs become more noticeable. The enlarged or prominent hair follicle may also lead to a “pimple” or cyst. As a consequence a previously stable mole can rapidly enlarge in size or become inflamed, alarming the patient to think that his or her mole has become cancerous. Invariably the mole reverts back to its former state as the pimple or cyst recedes. The removal of hairs within moles by either plucking or electrolysis can similarly result in a pimple, but there is no proof that, or any form of trauma will result in the malignant transformation of the mole to melanoma. From www.melanoma.ca/Newsletters/ASM%20Spring%2020021.pdf (note that it’s a pdf). ---
**Author:** ![Wonko\_The\_Sane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/258eb7/32.png) [@Wonko\_The\_Sane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wonko_The_Sane)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-moles-have-a-big-hair-sticking-out-of-them/125789/6 "2002-08-28T04:21:06Z")
That’s not a hair, it’s a radio aerial. Duh. ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-moles-have-a-big-hair-sticking-out-of-them/125789/7 "2002-08-28T07:42:07Z")
Blonde big hair is quite fashionable amongst molls, or so I hear.