Early detection and treatment are the most important elements in reducing the incidence of melanoma deaths. Acquired melanocytic naevi (AMN) are well-known precursors of melanoma but most of our knowledge on the clinico-dermoscopic phenotypes of AMN is based on studies in European-background populations, particularly American and Australian populations. There has been little research in Chinese Han populations on clinico-dermoscopic variability of naevi or how naevi are affected by melanoma-linked variants of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene.