Mole

What Is A Mole?

Everybody has moles. At one time, moles were considered an attractive facial feature and were called "beauty marks!" Model Cindy Crawford is famous for the mole next to her lip. Sarah Jessica Parker removed the one on her chin after 40 years.

Moles are almost always non-cancerous, and are part of the group of skin conditions that includes freckles, skin tags, benign lentigines and seborrheic keratoses. They are usually black or brown, but can also be tan, red, gray or even blue. They can appear anywhere on the skin, either in a group or alone. Most moles appear in early childhood—some children are born with them—and some don't appear until the mid-30's. Most people have several moles by the time they reach adulthood; if they are very small and not raised, they are rarely noticed. Over time, they may change somewhat, becoming raised or darkening in color, perhaps a hair developing in the mole as well. Some can even disappear in time. Moles usually become darker after sun exposure, during the teen years and with pregnancy. Sun exposure can increase the number of moles.

What Causes Moles?

Moles are caused by skin cells that grow in a cluster instead of spreading out. The term for these cells is melanocytes. Melanocytes are the pigment-producing cells that give our skin its natural color.

Important Information About Moles

If you notice any change in a mole you should come in to see us, particularly if the mole grows more than 6 mm in size (slightly larger than a quarter-inch), or has any of the characteristics of the ABCDE's of skin cancer. It is especially important to get your moles checked if you have someone in your family that has had an abnormal mole diagnosed by a dermatologist, or someone in your family that has had melanoma.  Excessive sun exposure throughout a lifetime can also cause moles to become abnormal. Even though new moles are common in children, it is not common for an adult to get a new mole after 35 years of age. A dermatologist should check any new mole that appears after that age.

How Do We Treat Moles?

Our dermatologists will carefully evaluate your skin in our office and make the best treatment recommendation based on the severity, extent and location of the moles that you have. Their first order of business will be to rule out skin cancer by taking a biopsy if the mole looks abnormal. If they have no reason to suspect skin cancer and you wish the mole(s) removed for cosmetic reasons, there are several options, including excision (which may include sutures if the mole is large) and/or shaving of the mole(s). We also have laser treatments for moles.

How Do I Get Started with Mole Treatments?

Dr. Goldberg, an expert New York Dermatologist and surgeon, and his staff will be happy to discuss mole treatments with you. Please feel free to call for a private consultation or schedule an appointment online at one of our offices.