Seborrheic keratosis typically appears as small patches on the skin that can range from golden brown to mid brown to almost black. These common benign skin lesions, also known as basal cell papillomas, are completely harmless but can be cosmetically bothersome. A skin growth of this type can appear anywhere on the body, particularly in areas exposed to the sun.

The symptoms of seborrheic keratosis are quite distinctive, making them relatively easy to identify. However, proper diagnosis by a doctor is essential to distinguish them from other types of skin cancer or concerning lesions.

Understanding the risk of developing seborrheic keratosis can help you better manage your skin health. These lesions commonly appear with age and increased sun exposure. While the exact cause isn’t fully understood, genetics and sun damaged skin appear to play significant roles in their development.

These growths are not contagious and don’t typically require treatment for medical reasons. However, many people wish to have them removed for cosmetic purposes or if they become irritated.

Seborrheic keratosis is typically diagnosed through a thorough examination of the affected area by a qualified healthcare professional. During your initial consultation, the doctor will examine the growth’s characteristics and may perform a biopsy if there’s any uncertainty about the diagnosis.

It’s crucial to differentiate seborrheic keratoses from more serious conditions like melanoma or basal cell carcinoma, which is why professional evaluation is essential.

During your initial consultation, your healthcare provider will perform a thorough examination and discuss your treatment options. This is the perfect time to book a consultation and ask questions about the procedure, recovery time, and expected results.

The consultation will include a detailed assessment of your skin condition and the development of a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

During this minimally invasive procedure, we first administer local anaesthetic to ensure your comfort throughout. The keratosis removal typically takes around 30 minutes, during which we carefully excise the lesion while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue. While the procedure may leave a small scar, this generally fades significantly over time with proper wound care. As part of our comprehensive approach, we send all removed tissue to our pathology lab for detailed analysis, providing both you and your GP with complete diagnostic confirmation and peace of mind.

Recovery time varies depending on the treatment method chosen and the size of the treated area. After treatment, the area should kept dry to promote proper healing. The layers of skin will naturally regenerate, and most patients see complete healing within a few weeks.

Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions on how to care for the area to be treated and what to expect during the healing process.

While seborrheic keratosis treatment is generally safe, it’s important to understand potential risks. Any removed tissue may be sent to the histopathology lab for analysis to ensure no signs of skin cancer are present.

Other complications can include scarring, bleeding, infection and numbness but these are typically minimal with proper care and following post-treatment instructions.

While you can’t completely prevent seborrheic keratoses from forming, you can reduce your risk by protecting your skin from excessive sun exposure. This includes using appropriate sun protection and avoiding prolonged exposure to UV rays.

Regular skin examinations can help identify new growths early, allowing for prompt treatment if desired.

Initial Consultation: £50 (deductible from cost of procedure)

Procedure: £500

Key points to remember:

• Seborrheic keratoses are harmless but may require treatment for cosmetic reasons
• Professional diagnosis is essential to differentiate from other types of skin cancer
• Prevention focuses on sun protection and regular skin monitoring