Are you noticing more spots appear on your skin over the years? It is not uncommon for more benign lesions – such as seborrheic keratosis, cherry angiomas, sebaceous hyperplasia and milia – to be present as time goes on. These lesions can be treated cosmetically with little down time.
- Seborrheic keratosis are waxy growths that are brown, black or tan in color. They are common in older adults but also seen in young adults. These lesions can be treated with liquid nitrogen. The treatment takes only a few minutes. The lesions then scab off within a few weeks.
- Cherry angiomas are small, bright red, dome shaped bumps on the skin. They occur at any age and can appear almost anywhere on the body. These lesions are typically asymptomatic but can bleed if scratched or traumatized. There are a few treatment options including electrocautery, laser therapy or shave excision.
- Sebaceous hyperplasia is a common condition when the sebaceous gland is overgrown producing flesh colored or yellowish, shiny bumps. These lesions typically appear on the central face. Treatment methods include cauterization or laser therapy targeted at decreasing the size of the lesions.
- Milia are small white bumps that occur under the skin. Sometimes they go away on their own and other times they require extraction to be removed.
All these benign lesions have treatment options available that are safe to perform in the office setting. For more questions on which treatment option is the best for you, schedule a consultation with a provider in the Christie Clinic Department of Dermatology.
- Anna Snowden, PA-C, Diplomate Fellow, SDPA