Where do birthmarks come from, and why are they called so?

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Many people have birthmarks. We are usually only really interested in them when they cause problems. But there are many more exciting things to discover about these small spots on the skin, such as how they got their name in the first place.

We should all keep a close eye on moles; that should be common knowledge. What is perhaps less well known is the origin of their name.

Each one is different
A mole is formed from melanocytes, the cells that produce the pigment responsible for tanning the skin, which begin to develop uncontrollably. Was that not quite clear? Then perhaps a brief translation is in order.

Basically, a mole is an accumulation of melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives the skin its natural color. Birthmarks are mainly located in the top layer of the skin, the epidermis. They can be flat, raised, and of different colors.

In the course of life, new moles may appear again and again. Their number varies and depends on many factors, e.g., sun exposure, skin type, and heredity.

Important rules
Just like the rest of our body, they change their appearance over the course of our lives: They change color, shape, and texture and can sometimes even disappear just like that.

In almost all cases, moles are benign, but they can indeed degenerate, in which case medical advice should be sought immediately.

So that you always have everything under control, we will give you a small, simple mnemonic. It is also known as the ABCDE method. A birthmark is considered conspicuous if it:

A: is asymmetrical

B: has irregular borders

C: its color is not uniform (the C stands for the English word “color”)

D: its diameter is greater than 5 mm

E: it has developed considerably over time

In this case, go to your dermatologist or general practitioner, who will decide the future of the mole: have it removed or continue to keep an eye on it. The worst-case scenario is actually skin cancer.

Interesting development
The term first appeared around the 16th century, and wild theories abound about the origins of the small spots. Allegedly, women whose children were born with birthmarks at that time suffered from so-called unsatisfied desires during pregnancy.

It is also believed that the marks were an indication that the mother had behaved badly during pregnancy or that she was generally not a good person. Welcome to the early modern era!

However, the birthmark only really became popular quite late in history.

In antiquity, for example, Greek beauty standards and dictates were based on symmetry. As the small spots are simply not always very even, they are considered unsightly and are concealed.

Under Louis XV, however, the time had finally come: they became an outward sign of wealth. Birthmarks were considered chic. They formed a contrast to the white complexion, which was very fashionable at the time.

In the 1950s, the birthmark reached its peak thanks to the icon Marilyn Monroe. She simply drew her famous birthmark on herself. Cindy Crawford, Madonna, and many other stars later played with this little detail, which has since achieved cult status.

Today, the birthmark lives its own little life; some love it, others hate it.