Seborrhoeic Keratosis Removal

Ageing and your family history might give rise to unwanted skin changes like seborrheic keratoses. Even though they’re harmless, these dark, scaly outgrowths can make you self-conscious or become irritating when they rub against your clothing.

But don’t worry, at Centre for Surgery, we’ve got you covered. You don’t even need a referral from your GP to see us. We can remove your seborrheic keratoses, making sure you’re comfortable and satisfied throughout the process. From your initial consultation to post-treatment care, our skilled team is there to answer any queries and guide you. So you can say goodbye to those bothersome skin growths and feel confident in your skin again!

Seborrhoeic keratosis, also known as a seborrhoeic wart, is a benign skin lesion often mistaken for a mole. While it used to be referred to as a ‘senile wart,’ this term has since been discontinued as it was found to be offensive to some patients. At Centre for Surgery in London, we frequently perform procedures to remove these harmless but potentially cosmetically displeasing skin growths.

Seborrhoeic keratoses, which can range in colour from pink to almost black, are usually rough to the touch. They can appear anywhere on the body but are most often found on sun-exposed areas such as the face and neck.

These skin growths typically start appearing from the age of 40 onwards, particularly in individuals who have frequently been exposed to sunlight. Despite their harmless nature, many opt to have them removed due to their potential to cause cosmetic concerns.

Seborrheic keratosis is a common skin condition that is non-cancerous and usually harmless. It’s characterised by growths on the skin that are often light or dark brown, or sometimes black. These growths are usually raised and scaly and can appear anywhere on the body, though they’re most common on the chest, back, scalp or neck. They can also occur on the face or elsewhere on the body.

The size of these growths can vary. While some might be quite small, others can grow larger than 1 inch in diameter. You might have one seborrheic keratosis or you might have many, appearing on different parts of your body.

While seborrheic keratoses don’t usually require treatment, many people choose to have them removed for cosmetic reasons or because they can become irritated and bleed when rubbed by clothing.

Although they’re harmless, seborrheic keratoses can sometimes look similar to melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer. That’s why it’s important to have any new or changing skin growths checked by a doctor.

The exact causes of seborrheic keratoses are not known, but they’re believed to be linked to genetics and often start to appear from middle age onwards.

Seborrhoeic Keratosis, often referred to as skin warts, are caused by an excessive growth of normal skin cells. This condition tends to run in families, but it’s not contagious, so you can’t catch it from someone else. Though they generally don’t pose a problem, they can occasionally become inflamed, particularly if they get snagged on clothing, like a zipper. If such inflammation doesn’t calm down, it’s wise to have a chat with your GP.

Once these warts develop, they won’t disappear on their own. Over time, especially as you get older, you might notice more appearing. They can range from a single wart or two to several hundreds. These skin warts are more common than skin cancer and are typically easy to identify without the need for any complex tests. However, it’s always vital to see your GP if you notice any new or unusual skin lumps or discolouration to rule out any potential skin cancers.

The removal of seborrhoeic keratosis is quite straightforward. These wart-like growths originate from the skin’s outermost layer and have no deep-rooted connections, making their removal almost scar-free when carried out by our expert dermatologists. Our clinic utilises the latest, state-of-the-art Erbium YAG laser technology. This laser is readily absorbed by water, making it possible to cause minimal thermal damage to the surrounding skin. Unlike the CO2 laser, the Erbium YAG laser is considered the gold standard for treating a wide range of superficial skin conditions.

At Centre for Surgery, our laser specialists have the expertise to conduct quick and pain-free removal of seborrhoeic keratosis using the Erbium YAG laser and the Fotona SP Dynamis system. This laser treatment replaces older, more traditional methods such as cryotherapy, curettage, and cautery, offering a significantly higher level of precision.

The removal process starts with disinfecting the area with an antiseptic solution. Then, we apply EMLA, a local anaesthetic, to numb the skin. As the laser is used to remove the keratosis, the layers are wiped off with a moist gauze sponge. This approach minimises skin trauma and significantly reduces the risk of scarring. We are committed to using only the best and most up-to-date techniques to ensure optimal results for our patients.