Seborrhoeic Keratosis Removal
We offer safe, effective, plastic surgeon-led removal of benign skin lesions such as seborrhoeic keratoses.
Seborrhoeic keratoses are benign, age-related skin growths that typically appear as waxy, stuck-on plaques ranging in colour from pale brown to very dark brown. They commonly develop on the face, chest, back, or scalp and can vary in texture from smooth to crusty or warty.
Although harmless, these lesions can become irritated, itchy, start to catch or just look cosmetically bothersome. They can sometimes be confused with more serious pigmented lesions. For this reason, accurate assessment and diagnosis is key and removal is often requested.
At Dr. Jenny Clinic, we offer safe and effective removal of seborrhoeic keratoses using minimally invasive, non-surgical and surgical techniques. This can improve cosmetic appearance, reduce irritation and allow for histological confirmation where necessary.
The best treatment methods will be recommended depending on the size, thickness and number of keratoses present.
Depending on these factors, we offer the following non-surgical and surgical treatment approaches:
Shave Excision/Curettage and Cautery
- Ideal for thicker raised lesions.
- Under local anaesthesia, the keratosis is gently removed flush to the surrounding skin and the raw area at the base heals over like a small abrasion
Cautery/Electrosurgery
- A fine probe is used to “burn” and vaporise the lesions, promptly removing them with minimal bleeding.
- Small lesions vaporise and disappear instantly, whereas slightly larger ones with crust and drop off over a number of days.
Cryosurgery
- A quick-freeze technique using a precision tool to deliver the freezing spray to the lesion.
- This does not require any topical or injectable anaesthetic and as it is the least invasive option, it carries with it the least downtime and minimal risk. However, as it is minimally invasive, a second session may be needed for more stubborn lesions.
- The keratoses then crust and drop off over a number of days
Following your consultation, you will be consented for your procedure.
The lesion(s) to be removed is photographed for your medical records.
Treatment is performed under topical or injected local anaesthetic.
The operative area is then cleansed with an antiseptic solution and the surrounding area is covered with a sterile sheet or drape to ensure that infection risk is minimised.
The lesion is then treated using the appropriate technique. We then go on to dress the area with a plaster or ointment.
Most procedures take 15-30 minutes and you can return to normal activities shortly afterwards.
All excised keratoses will be sent for histopathological testing, which is included in your treatment cost.
If you have a very large number of lesions, we may advise that the treatments are staged over 2-3 sessions.
Your aftercare advice is an important step to ensuring optimal healing.
- Keep the wound covered and dry for 1-2 days.
- You may experience tenderness or crusting in the area for a few days.
- Apply Vaseline to the treatment area 2-3 times a day until any scabbing gently peels away.
- It can take 7-10 days for the scabs to peel off: Avoid strenuous activity, swimming or saunas until this process is complete.
- Avoid excessive friction or contact (e.g. tight clothing) until fully healed.
- You will then be left with pink or slightly darker marks in the treated areas which will then continue to fade and blend in as time goes on.
- Protect fresh scars from UV radiation by using high factor SPF to reduce risk inflammation, irritation and redness.
We will schedule a follow-up if required and you are always encouraged to contact us with any post-treatment concerns.
FAQs
Cryotherapy
1-5 lesions: £250/session
6-10 lesions: £400/session
Electrosurgery
1-5 lesions: £350/session
6-10 lesions: £500/session
Shave Excision/ Curettage and Electrosurgery + Histology
£400 per lesion
£200 per additional removed on the same day
Please visit our full Price List for further information.
We understand that our patients can be very busy with their daily lives and therefore it is ideal for most to be able to combine their consultation and treatment during the same visit.
Therefore, although we do offer the option to proceed with treatment on the same day (known as a ‘See and Treat’ appointment), we will only do so if you are certain you would like to proceed and if it is safe to proceed on the same day.
If you would prefer to think through all the treatment options first and make provisions for potential downtime, restrictions in exercise etc, then it is best for us to carry our your consultation first, then plan a separate visit for your treatment.
As an ethical medical clinic, we never want you to feel pressured to undergo treatment on the same day, therefore rest assured that your consultation fee is fully redeemable against your treatment, even if you decide to delay your treatment by several weeks or months.
As we always advise patients in the clinic, never feel rushed to commit to an elective, non-emergency procedure and take all the time you need to make that decision.
This is indeed possible and often time with Seborrhoeic Keratoses we are dealing with multiple lesions presenting simultaneously.
How many we are able to treat in one sitting will all depend on the size and number of lesions due to be treated and also on the type of treatment methods required.
This can be discussed during your consultation and treatment planning.