Dr. Roger Koreen has been committed to excellence in patient care since starting his practice in Huntington. In the past two-plus decades, he has helped thousands of patients address medical and cosmetic skin concerns with personal attention and compassion. In our office, we understand that something as simple as a mole can lead to a greater problem. If you are wondering about removal treatment for a suspicious looking mole, a consultation with Dr. Koreen in our Huntington, NY office can ease your mind.
Most people have moles, and they will continue to get more as they go through life. A mole is essentially a collection of pigmented cells. Most colored marks on the skin are benign. However, we encourage our patients to learn the ABCs of mole examination. When you know how to spot irregularities, you are better prepared to address a potential problem right away.
Some of the characteristics that may indicate the growth of abnormal cells include:
- Asymmetry. You can determine if a mole is symmetrical by imagining a line through the center. Each side should be balanced in size.
- Border. If the edges of a mole are jagged, we may want to perform further diagnostic testing such as biopsy.
- Color. Moles come in a variety of colors, so this can be tricky. It is not that a mole should be a specific color, but it should be uniform in color.
- Diameter. Larger moles are more concerning than smaller moles in most cases. If larger than the eraser of a pencil, visit your dermatologist.
A mole may seem suspicious as soon as it develops. In other cases, a mole that you have had for years may suddenly look different. If a mole becomes tender to the touch, starts to itch and bleed, grows larger, or changes in color or shape, an evaluation is in order. We understand that the mere prospect of skin cancer can seem frightening. With early detection, we can begin treatment that will minimize the risk to healthy tissue.
In addition to diagnosing and removing suspicious moles, Dr. Koreen provides treatment for other benign growths such as scars, which may sometimes look like moles, seborrheic keratoses, which may itch, and skin tags, which can be irritated by clothing and jewelry.
We want to help you keep your skin healthy and beautiful. Call the Dermatology and Cosmetic Laser Center at (631) 417-3300.