A skin growth can be concerning, even alarming, if you don’t know what it is. That includes a seborrheic keratosis. These slightly raised, brownish lesions are harmless, but it’s smart to get any new growth evaluated.

At Riverchase Dermatology, our skin care experts are highly skilled at distinguishing seborrheic keratoses from warts, skin cancer, actinic keratosis (precancerous growths caused by excessive sun exposure) and moles. Seborrheic keratosis treatment usually isn’t necessary, but your provider can remove the growths if they bother you.

What is seborrheic keratosis?

Seborrheic keratoses (the plural of seborrheic keratosis) are non-cancerous skin growths that tend to appear starting at age 50 or later, though teenagers and young adults can develop them, too. They are more common in fair-skinned people and seem to run in families. In women, pregnancy and hormone therapy may bring them on.

The growths can appear anywhere on the body except the palms and soles of the feet. You may have one growth or many of them. In people with darker skin, they tend to be small and cluster near the eyes.

Seborrheic keratosis symptoms

Seborrheic keratoses start as small, rough, round or oval bumps. They are usually light tan or brown, though they can be closer to white, black, yellow or gray. Some look like candle wax dripped on the skin. They can grow to the size of a pencil eraser, the size quarter or larger. They may eventually thicken and develop a warty or crusty surface.

Seborrheic keratoses are rarely painful, but they can itch. If one develops in an area where clothing or jewelry rubs against it, it can become irritated and bleed.

Seborrheic keratosis treatment

Seborrheic keratosis removal is relatively painless and typically yields a good outcome. Riverchase Dermatology offers several removal options, including the ones described below. Your provider will recommend the best option for you based on your growth(s) and skin color.

Cryosurgery

The most common seborrheic keratosis removal method is cryotherapy, in which liquid nitrogen is applied to the growth to freeze and kill its cells. The lesion may blister and scab before falling off, typically in a few days.

After the skin heals, there’s a chance that people with brown or black skin may develop hyperpigmentation (dark spots) or hypopigmentation (spots of lighter skin).

Curettage with or without electrocautery

Curettage involves scraping off the growth with a scoop-shaped surgical blade called a curette. Your skin will be numbed first. If the growth is thick, the provider may also perform electrocautery—burning off remaining tissue with a small probe that delivers a mild electrical current. Electrocautery can also be used on its own. In dark skin tones, hyperpigmentation is a risk of these procedures.

Ablative laser therapy

Laser therapy delivers almost immediate results and is a good option if you want to remove multiple growths. It’s less likely than other treatment methods to cause hyperpigmentation, though there is a small risk of permanent skin lightening. Your doctor will numb the area before delivering an intense wavelength of light to the growth to destroy it.

Locations with this service

Weston 
2625 Executive Park Dr, Suite 7
Weston, FL 33331
View
Venice Health Park 
1295 Jacaranda Blvd.
Venice, FL 34292
View
Tampa Palms 
15310 Amberly Dr, Suite 150
Tampa, FL 33647
View
Sun City Center 
1007 E Del Webb Blvd, Suite 101
Sun City Center, FL 33573
View
Pembroke Pines 
603 N Flamingo Rd, Suite 350
Pembroke Pines, FL 33028
View
Parrish 
9015 US Highway 301 N
Parrish, FL 34219
View
North Port – Bobcat Village 
2481 Bobcat Village Center Rd, Suite 101
North Port, FL 34288
View
Naples – Downtown 
261 9th St S
Naples, FL 34102
View
Naples – Colonial Square 
1108 Goodlette-Frank Rd. N.
Naples, FL 34102
View
Naples – Central 
9125 Corsea Del Fontana Way, Suite 100
Naples, FL 34109
View
Miami 
Mercy Professional Building Suite 6008
3659 S Miami Ave, Suite 6008
Miami, FL 33133
View
Marco Island 
950 N Collier Blvd, Suite 303
Marco Island, FL 34145
View
Lakewood Ranch 
8340 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Suite 260
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
View
Fort Myers – West 
9400 Gladiolus Dr, Suite 320
Fort Myers, FL 33908
View
Fort Myers – South 
7331 Gladiolus Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33908
View
Fort Myers – The Forum 
3268 Forum Blvd, Suite 201
Fort Myers, FL 33905
View
Estero 
19527 Highland Oaks Dr, Suite 201
Estero, FL 33928
View
Englewood 
406 N Indiana Ave
Englewood, FL 34223
View
Deerfield Beach 
1880 W Hillsboro Blvd, Suite A
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
View
Clearwater 
1122 Druid Rd E
Clearwater, FL 33756
View
Cape Coral – Surfside 
2366 Surfside Blvd, Suite C111
Cape Coral, FL 33991
View
Cape Coral 
413 Del Prado Blvd S, Suite 101
Cape Coral, FL 33990
View
Bonita Springs 
25987 S Tamiami Trail, Unit 90
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
View
Boca Raton – East 
200 Glades Road, Suite 1
Boca Raton, FL 33432
View
Bay Harbor Islands 
1111 Kane Concourse, Suite 100
Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154
View
View All

Providers of this service

View All