Seborrheic Keratosis removal
What is an Seborrheic Keratosis?
A seborrheic keratosis is a common noncancerous (benign) skin growth. People tend to get more of them as they get older.
Seborrheic keratoses are usually brown, black, or light tan. The growths (lesions) look waxy or scaly and slightly raised. They appear gradually, usually on the face, neck, chest, or back.
Seborrheic keratoses are harmless and not contagious. They don’t need treatment, but you may decide to have them removed if they become irritated by clothing or you don’t like how they look.
Seborrheic keratosis Treatment
A seborrheic keratosis typically doesn’t go away on its own, but treatment isn’t needed. You might choose to have it removed if it becomes irritated or bleeds, or if you don’t like how it looks or feels.
Seborrheic keratosis removal can be achieved with one or a combination of the following methods:
- Freezing the growth. Freezing a growth with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy) can be an effective way to remove a seborrheic keratosis. It doesn’t always work on raised, thicker growths. This method carries the risk of permanent loss of pigment, especially on Black or brown skin.
- Scraping (curettage) or shaving the skin’s surface. First your doctor will numb the area and then use a scalpel blade to remove the growth. Sometimes shaving or scraping is used along with cryosurgery to treat thinner or flat growths.
- Burning with an electric current (electrocautery). First your doctor will numb the area and then destroy the growth with electrocautery. This method can be used alone or with scraping, especially when removing thicker growths.
Frequently Asked Questions – Seborrheic Keratosis
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