Book An Appointment Online Shop Now New York City (212) 285-1110 Long Island (516) 512-7616 Contact Us Home > Mole Removal Mole Removal What is a mole? Many people refer to a mole as any dark spot or irregularity in the skin. Doctors use different terms. But skin marks such as these are not treated the same way moles are and are not discussed here: Birthmarks Abnormal blood vessels (hemangiomas) Keratoses (benign or precancerous spots, which appear after about age 30 years) Moles, known medically as nevi, are clusters of pigmented cells that often appear as small, dark brown spots on your torso, face, arms, and legs. But moles can come in a range of colors and can develop virtually anywhere, including your scalp, armpits, under your nails, and between your fingers and toes. Most people have between 10 and 40 moles, although the number you have may change throughout life. New moles can appear into mid-adulthood, and because moles last about 50 years, some moles may disappear as you age. The great majority of moles are harmless, but in rare cases, moles may become cancerous. Monitoring moles and other pigmented patches is an important step in the diagnosis of skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma. Although not all melanomas develop from pre-existing moles, many begin in or near a mole or other dark spot on the skin. Board-certified NYC dermatologic surgeon, Dr. Rokhsar specializes in mole removal1 for Manhattan and Garden City patients. Types of Moles Congenital nevi – About 1-3% of all babies have one or more of these types of moles at birth. Junctional moles, which are usually brown and may be flat or slightly raised. Compound moles, which are slightly raised, range in color from tan to dark brown and involve pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) in both the upper and lower layers of the skin (epidermis and dermis). Dermal moles, which range from flesh-color to brown, are elevated, most common on the upper body, and may contain hairs. Sebaceous moles, which are produced by over-active oil glands and are yellow and rough-textured. Blue moles, which are slightly raised, colored by pigment deep within the skin, and most common on the head, neck, and arms of women. An estimated one out of every 10 Americans have at least one atypical mole. These moles are larger than common moles, with borders that are irregular and poorly defined. Atypical moles also vary in color, ranging from tan to dark brown shades on a pink background. They have irregular borders that may include notches. They may fade into the surrounding skin and include a flat portion level with the skin. These are some of the features that one sees when looking at a melanoma. When a pathologist looks at an atypical mole under the microscope, it has features that are in-between a normal mole and a melanoma. While atypical moles are considered to be pre-cancerous (more likely to turn into melanoma than regular moles), not everyone who has atypical moles gets melanoma. In fact, most moles — both ordinary and atypical ones — never become cancerous. Thus the removal of all atypical nevi is unnecessary. In fact, half of the melanomas found on people with atypical moles arise from normal skin and not an atypical mole. Moles Suspicious For Cancer Those with spontaneous ulceration or bleeding Those with symptoms such as pain and itching Congenital and giant Nevus or Moles Those showing changes in size and color Those with unexplained inflammatory changes Usually occurring injunction and compound moles Treatment For Moles in NYC Surgical excision should be done where cancer is a reasonable concern. Improving cosmetic appearance is another reason for excision, but all surgery leaves some scarring. Smaller nevi can be “shaved off”. Larger ones can be cut out directly and the wound edges are sewn together. Much larger nevi may be excised in stages by taking a little more out each time until the entire nevus is removed. This is called “serial excision.” Cutting out very large nevi will leave behind a raw area that is too big to be sewn together and must be covered. This can be done with a split-thickness skin graft from some other normal area of the body. The skin-grafted area will have varying degrees of scarring and will usually be thinner and more fragile than normal skin. Benefits of Mole Removal There are various benefits to this procedure including: Removing protruding moles that get in the way of shaving. Reducing skin irritation that can occur when certain moles rub against clothing or jewelry. Achieving smoother, clearer skin. Enhancing the appearance and improving self-esteem. Most importantly, if a mole is suspected to be pre-cancerous early on, it can often be completely removed before it causes a serious health risk. What causes moles? Some people are born with moles. Other moles appear over time. Sun exposure seems to play a role in the development of moles and may even play a role in the development of atypical, or dysplastic, moles. The role of heredity cannot be underemphasized. Many families have a type of mole known as dysplastic (atypical), which can be associated with a higher frequency of melanoma or skin cancer. How is Mole Removal Performed? Before the mole is removed, the area is cleansed and then an anesthetic is applied to numb the area. The type of mole being removed determines what technique is used. Depending on the technique, stitches may or may not be used. For excision of the mole, the surgeon uses a scalpel to cut the mole and a border of good skin surrounding it. The surgeon will determine the size of this border. Stitches will be placed either deep within the skin or on the upper surface, depending on the depth of the excision. For the procedure that involves no stitches, a scalpel is used to shave the mole allowing it to be flush with the surrounding skin. Then using an electrical instrument, the doctor cauterizes the area to stop any bleeding. A topical antibiotic is applied to reduce the risk of infection. Shaving removes the protruding surface of the mole, but it can leave mole cells beneath the skin and may grow back. Mole removal2 typically takes less than an hour to perform, depending on the number of moles to be removed. Mole FAQ What causes moles? Some people are born with moles. Other moles appear over time. Sun exposure seems to play a role in the development of moles and may even play a role in the development of atypical, or dysplastic, moles. The role of heredity cannot be underemphasized. Many families have a type of mole known as dysplastic (atypical), which can be associated with a higher frequency of melanoma or skin cancer. How is mole removal performed? Before the mole is removed, the area is cleansed and then an anesthetic is applied to numb the area. The type of mole being removed determines what technique is used. Depending on the technique, stitches may or may not be used. For excision of the mole, NYC board-certified dermatologic surgeon Dr. Rokhsar uses a scalpel to cut the mole and a border of good skin surrounding it. The surgeon will determine the size of this border. Stitches are then placed either deep within the skin or on the upper surface, depending on the depth of the excision. How long will it take for mole removal to heal? After mole removal in our NYC office, healing should take place within 2 to 3 weeks of surgery. How is stitch-free mole removal performed? For the procedure that involves no stitches, a scalpel is used to shave the mole allowing it to be flush with the surrounding skin. Then using an electrical instrument, the doctor cauterizes the area to stop any bleeding. A topical antibiotic is applied to reduce the risk of infection and promote healing. Why Choose Dr. Rokhsar for Your NYC Mole Removal? NYC board-certified dermatologic surgeon and laser expert Dr. Rokhsar is expertly-trained and passionate about treating patients throughout New York. His mole removal treatment3 offers Manhattan, Long Island and Garden City patients smoother, healed skin free of blemishes. Contact Dr. Rokhsar today for your mole removal consultation. Locations Upper East Side Manhattan 121 East 60th Street, Suite 8AB New York, NY 10022 (212) 285-1110 Map It Garden City Long Island 901 Stewart Ave, Suite 240, Garden City, NY 11530 (516) 512-7616 Map It Request an Appointment AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY I agree to the Terms of Use References 1 Treatments and Info for Mole Removal Scars. Available: https://www.healthline.com/health/mole-removal-scar. 2 Mole Removal: What You Need to Know. Available: https://www.realself.com/nonsurgical/mole-removal. 3 Removal of Moles. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1521766/. Dr. Cameron Rokhsar Dr. Cameron Rokhsar is the founder and owner of Cosmetic Laser Skin & Surgery Center. With degrees from Harvard University and NYU, along with multiple publications and media features, the board-certified dermatologist and laser surgeon proudly shares his expertise with patients in Garden City, Manhattan, and those who fly in to receive treatment at his offices. Dr. Rokhsar has worked extensively with Vbeam laser, Thermitight, Coolsculpting, and Fraxel laser technology, as well as Allergan and other injectable brands. He pioneered the Non-Surgical Nose Job and continues to be a leader in his field. Learn more about Dr. Rokhsar | Dr. Rokhsar's Google Scholar Procedures and Conditions Injectables Skin Tightening Fat Removal Non-Surgical Treatments Surgical Procedures Eyelid lift – Blepharoplasty Earlobe Repair Liposuction Mini Facelift Mole Removal Scar Revision Skin Cancer – Mohs Surgery Aesthetician: MD-Spa NY Laser Procedures Conditions Acne / Acne Scars Age Spots / Brown Spots Birthmarks Dark Circles Moles Pearly Penile Papules View All Dr. Rokhsar was chosen by magazine as a top dermatologist in its Best Doctors 2017, 2019 and 2020 issues. Follow: Manhattan Office: 121 East 60th Street, Suite 8AB | New York City, NY 10022 Ph. (212) 285-1110 | Map on Google Garden City Office: 901 Stewart Ave, Suite 240 | Garden City, NY 11530 Ph. (516) 512-7616 | Map on Google 5 star rating at RealSelf See Reviews > Leave a Review > Copyright © 2021 New York Cosmetic, Skin & Laser Surgery Center Blog / News Shop Now International Patients Careers Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Accessibility Statement Sitemap 4.8 - based on 147 reviews Book Online Call Us E-mail SMS MENU Virtual Consultation