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Moles

Larchmont Dermatology -  - General & Cosmetic Dermatology

Larchmont Dermatology

General & Cosmetic Dermatologists located in Larchmont, NY

Moles are common skin growths and are usually harmless. But if they’re bothersome to you aesthetically, or if you have questions or concerns about a particular mole, skilled dermatologist Dr. Cynthia Yalowitz offers help. If you live in Larchmont, New York, call Larchmont Dermatology to arrange an appointment or use the online booking agent.

Moles Q&A

Why is mole screening important?

All adults should self-screen to keep tabs on the health of their skin and any moles. Dr. Yalowitz, a board-certified dermatologist, trained to recognize abnormalities can help to identify early-stage skin cancer growths during regular exams. She's also able to check areas of your body that may be challenging to check yourself.

How can I tell if a mole is cancerous?

Most adults have between 30 and 40 moles, and most of them are not dangerous. But it’s still important to check your skin and monitor moles for any changes. If you notice that a mole changes color, height, shape, or size, you should have it examined by Dr. Yalowitz.

Moles should not bleed, itch, or become tender; these are additional clues that you should make an appointment with Dr. Yalowitz for a closer examination. The characteristics of cancerous skin growths are sometimes referred to as ABCDEs, which stands for:

  • Asymmetry
  • Border
  • Color
  • Diameter
  • Evolution

What happens during a mole removal procedure?

Dr. Yalowitz offers a variety of methods for mole removal, and she will recommend the one that works best for your particular growth.

The most common method is excision. During this procedure, a member of the staff cleans the skin around the mole and administers a local anesthetic. Then, Dr. Yalowitz uses a small scalpel to remove the mole and some surrounding skin. If the incision is large, she may use a stitch to close the treatment area.

In some cases, Dr. Yalowitz recommends a laser removal technique, where concentrated light energy from a laser beam destroys the mole. You may prefer this method because it’s less invasive and has a shorter healing time.

If Dr. Yalowitz suggests electrocauterization, she uses an electrical wire to remove the mole.

She may also use cryotherapy. During this procedure, she applies liquid nitrogen to the mole, which freezes and kills the cells and causes a scab to form and fall off. This reveals fresh, new skin underneath.

If you have any troubling or suspicious moles, call Larchmont Dermatology or book an appointment online today.

Insurances We Accept

We unfortunately can not participate with every insurance company. However, we will do our best to submit the paperwork for patients who come in "out of network." If you have any other insurance related questions, please contact our office.

AARP
Empire Plan
Medicare
POMCO