Moles

If you’re bothered by a painful mole or have moles that change in size or color, you can find the help you need at Mountaintop Dermatology. In addition to comprehensive skin checks, Frank Samarin, MD, provides mole removal procedures on an outpatient procedure for adults and kids. Dr. Samarin also specializes in mole evaluations as part of his routine skin cancer screenings. Call the Colorado Springs, Colorado, office today to schedule a consultation for unusual-looking or painful moles. You can also book an appointment online.

What are moles?

Moles are skin growths that develop when clusters of pigmented skin cells (melanocytes) form on the skin’s surface . Moles are common - an estimated 322 million Americans have one or more moles. 

Generally, moles form on the upper parts of your body in areas that get the most sun exposure. It’s common for moles to develop before age 30, but new moles can form during pregnancy.

Mountaintop Dermatology offers mole removal for adults and children with unwanted or bothersome moles.

Dr. Samarin also provides routine skin checks to identify mole changes, which can be a warning sign of melanoma or another type of skin cancer.

When should I schedule a mole evaluation?

Many people with moles do not require any treatment unless the mole causes discomfort or changes in size or shape.

Schedule an evaluation at Mountaintop Dermatology if you have one or more that are painful or bleeding moles. Dr. Samarin can also treat moles that get caught on clothing or jewelry.

Mole changes that can indicate cancer include:

• Itchiness
• Bleeding
• Increase in size
• Asymmetrical shape
• Irregular border
• Color changes

Dr. Samarin assesses the overall health of your skin and evaluates each mole individually. He discusses your options for treatment based on your medical needs and cosmetic goals.

How are moles treated?

If you’re unhappy with the appearance of a mole on your face or other area of your body, Dr. Samarin can use a sharp surgical tool to remove it.

  Don’t try to remove a mole yourself because doing so can cause excessive bleeding, infection, and other complications.

When you have a suspicious-looking mole, Dr. Samarin may complete a biopsy to remove a piece of it for further testing under a microscope. If the mole is cancerous, he may also remove the entire mole and surrounding tissue to prevent the cancer from spreading.

 Schedule a follow-up visit with Dr. Samarin If a treated mole grows back. Mole regrowth can happen for several reasons, including skin cancer. Dr. Samarin reevaluates the growth to determine if you need a different treatment. 

Call Mountaintop Dermatology today to schedule a mole evaluation or book a consultation online.