Although you might love to, you can’t prevent beauty marks and moles from forming on your skin. Dr. Schultz says, “Many are genetically determined at the time of conception.” Some of them are also caused by high-intensity, short bursts of sun exposure as a child or teenager — that kind of sun exposure is the kind that gives you blisters or bad burns with chills. However, those typically take 20-25 years to come out. “So,” Dr. Schultz concludes,” even if you were really diligent with sun protection which can help you prevent the sun-induced marks and moles, you still can’t prevent the ones that are genetically determined.”

According to Dr. Schultz, there is actually no difference between beauty marks and moles, but they can be flat or raised. Dr. Schultz says, “The raised ones are the better ones, they almost never get into trouble. It’s the flat ones that look like freckles that are often the ones that may have the potential to degenerate into skin cancers.” The moles you get from a bad sunburn are almost always flat. Moles and beauty marks are identical because they both have an increased concentration of melanocytes (melanin-making cells) in the skin. As far as freckles are concerned, Dr. Schultz says, “They are just extra pigment that have been made by the basal cell layer of melanocytes, but the important distinction is they never get into trouble or become cancerous.” Determining what is a freckle and what is a flat beauty mark can be very difficult to distinguish, even for a dermatologist.

Just having a beauty mark or mole on your skin isn’t dangerous in and of itself. However, there are certain marks and moles that may be precancerous. This doesn’t mean you have cancer. It just means that slowly, over time, these marks and moles have the potential to develop into cancer. Early detection of these precancerous spots is extremely effective in saving lives. By booking your appointment with Dr. Schultz at our Upper East Side office, you'll have the chance to take care of the problem before it becomes a real issue. That’s why getting regular (annual) screening exams and treating your abnormal beauty marks and moles is vital to your health.

If you do have a dangerous beauty mark or mole, after administering local anesthesia to make the removal painless, we’ll remove the entire mole. This means, if it’s flat, we’ll scoop slightly under the skin, which sometimes leaves an oval, discoloration, or even a slightly oval dent. The other way to remove a dangerous beauty mark or mole is to literally cut around it and stitch it. For those that are raised, the same rules apply. Dr. Schultz says, “If the beauty mark or mole is raised, it will also go deeper into your skin. Therefore, to get the whole thing out, just scooping may not be effective. You may have to cut and then complete the treatment with stitches to get the best cosmetic results. But that will remove the whole thing if it’s abnormal.” If you’re removing the beauty mark or mole for cosmetic reasons, the raised area is usually shaved off to be level with the surrounding skin (of course with local anesthesia). We’ll send the removed part to the laboratory to check it for any abnormalities, but the root can remain as long as the lab confirms that the removed part is normal. Dr. Schultz advises, “When you’re dealing with a flat type of beauty mark or mole, you’ve got to make sure that the cosmetic outcome is going to be a better outcome than the appearance of the mole itself.”

When dealing with beauty marks and moles that could be dangerous, timing is everything. Having an acuity to separate those that need to come off because they are subtly abnormal (and therefore precancerous), and noticing them much earlier than other physicians is what sets Dr. Schultz apart. In our Upper East Side office, we’ve learned a very small threshold for recognizing abnormal moles, therefore we can help prevent people from getting skin cancers from very early in the process so they don’t have to deal with it later on when its a much bigger problem. You always want to choose a dermatologist or surgeon who has the skills and expertise to make sure there’s as little effect on the adjoining skin as possible. In addition to recognizing abnormal beauty marks and moles, Dr. Schultz and our team perform 4,000 removals a year, giving us the technical experience that produces a superior medical and cosmetic result. You are in good hands when you have your mole removal done by Dr. Schultz.

When you come in for your beauty mark or mole removal appointment, you won’t need any preparation. The area you’re treating will be cleansed, and depending on what our team decides is the best course of treatment, it may be numbed with anesthetic. After the area is painlessly removed by any of the methods outlined above, it will be covered by a bandage to protect it as it heals. We’ll give you instructions on how to take care of the area and you’ll be able to go back to your normal routine immediately after your appointment with no restrictions.

Patient Reviews

I've been seeing Dr. Schultz for the last 8 years and during that time, I've recommended him to countless friends for both cosmetic and medical dermatologic help. I trust him completely both diagnostically and aesthetically. When I had shingles, he was wonderful, incredibly supportive and kind. And when I eased into doing more cosmetic dermatology, he was– and continues to be– patient, careful and cautious. He listens to concerns and really hears what your goal outcome is and works with you to make it happen. I wanted to maintain a natural look while keeping my skin looking fresh and that's just what he's done for me. I always leave his office feeling prettier and well-cared for! If you have a medical concern or something about your skin you want to upgrade, you can't do better than Dr. Schultz and his wonderful team. And the products are amazing as well!

- Laura B.

Dr. Schultz is the most thorough and good natured dermatologist I have ever seen. I have been a patient of his for more than 20 years. He has taught me everything I know about the value of taking care of my skin, a gift that keeps on giving. He also takes the time to listen to me, to see me as an individual and doesn't treat my needs as a one size fits all doctor. I really appreciate his kindness, patience and expertise. I absolutely love his product line and have definitely reaped the rewards from using it, especially his glycolic peel pads and moisturizer, which I can't live without. My skin feels softer, smoother, appears more translucent and actually looks younger! He helped me to see beyond the lines and wrinkles, although he so good at helping to keep those at bay while maintaining a very natural appearance. His staff is outstanding. They make you feel welcome, like family, from the moment you walk through the door. Angela, Monika, Deborah and all of the support staff are extraordinary at what they do. Thank you Dr. Schultz and everyone at Park Ave Skincare. You're the best!

- Laura M.

Dr. Schultz has truly transformed my skin, so much so that I can confidently leave the house without wearing makeup now. During my first meeting with him, he intently listened to my skin concerns, we discussed what my goals were, and he explained pragmatically what treatments and products he recommended for me. I truly appreciate his fantastic bedside manner and conservative approach. I am a perfectionist in every aspect of my life, including my skin, and he understood this and was committed to helping me achieve every skin goal I had. The entire staff is just so fantastic and friendly, from reception to the PAs. They make you feel welcome and extremely comfortable, which to me is very important when visiting any doctor’s office. As someone who works too much and never gets enough sleep, my skin was looking very dull and lifeless. My skin is now full of life again and has an incredible glow to it which I have never had before. And I owe it all to the incredible Dr. Schultz.

- Kelly D.

My partnership with Dr Schultz began more than 30 years ago. As a generous friend, advisor, skilled surgeon, and superb cosmetic diagnostician, he has enabled me to look my best. He has kept me abreast of the most sophisticated procedures and in so doing, has maximized my appearance, always guided by what will be most beneficial for me. He is someone I go to for advice and care and his staff is another manifestation of this care. I don’t know many patients who can say this, and I feel fortunate to be among them.

- Ellen R.

In the four years that I've been a patient of Dr. Schultz, my acne-prone skin has gone from constant breakouts to smooth and clear. These days, I feel confident and comfortable enough in my skin to wear minimal makeup, if any—which I never would have done in years past. He and his warm, friendly staff always go above and beyond; he takes the time to listen, talk with me, and create the best plan for my skin. It's clear he has my best interests in mind, and I trust him wholeheartedly. I would highly recommend him to friends, family, and frankly, anyone who asks.

- Deanna P.

Each session with Dr. Schultz is a mini education in skin care. He approaches each patient as a unique individual with different needs. I’m Asian and he’s explained to me how that impacts treatment in a clear manner that a layperson can understand. At each examination, he recites detailed notes to his staff which he then refers back to at each future appointment, adjusting and tweaking treatment plans when necessary. Over the past two years I’ve seen a remarkable improvement in my blemishes and overall complexion and wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking to enhance their appearance.

- Sherry G.

I have been a patient of Dr. Schultz for many years, and I continue to be amazed at his medical approach, patience, and professionalism. He takes the time to listen to my health concerns, explains how and why he would like to issue a treatment in a way that I understand , answers all of my questions, and all of his procedures and painless and thorough. He is very attentive, results-oriented, and extremely knowledgeable. He follows up and is committed to my health and satisfaction. The Park Avenue Skincare is a calm environment and the staff are all very friendly, warm, and respectful. It's easy to get appointments at a time that works for me and they are always on time and considerate. I think so highly of him and his practice that I sent my mom to him, and continue to go to his office even though my life is based in midtown west! I have great confidence in the care that he gives.

- Katrina A.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are beauty marks?

    Moles, also known as beauty marks, have an increased concentration of melanocytes Read More

  • What causes beauty marks?

    They might be genetically determined, or they might be caused by short Read More

  • Do raised moles carry a higher risk of becoming cancerous than flat moles?

    It is typically the other way around: flat moles carry a higher Read More

  • How long does a removed mole take to heal?

    Depending on where it is on the body, it could take up Read More

  • How do you remove beauty marks and moles?

    First, we perform a small injection of anesthesia. Then the mole is Read More

  • Is it easy to get rid of raised moles?

    Yes.

  • When you get rid of beauty marks, what will your skin look like afterwards?

    It depends on the treatment. Flat moles that have the potential to Read More

  • How important is it to remove dangerous moles early?

    The earlier, the better. Skin cancer prevention is much easier than dealing Read More

Rejuvenate Your Skin

Make your skin care a priority with leading-dermatologist and New York Magazine’s “Top Doctor”: Dr. Neal Schultz.



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