Skin Growths

Introduction
As we age, unfortunately we start to develop several types of lesions on our face or body that usually do not pose a threat to us, but may be unsightly. These lesions can be easily and painlessly removed by a variety of methods .


Seborrheic Keratoses (Age Spots or “Barnacles“)
These rough usually brown growths can appear anywhere on the body. These are always benign, but can mimic pre-cancers and skin cancer. It is important to have these evaluated in order to distinguish them from skin cancers. Seborrheic keratoses can be easily removed by liquid nitrogen freezing or an excision.

Skin Tags
These are small lesions usually found around the eyes, neck, armpits, or under the breast. Occasionally, they can become irritating and unsightly. Skin tags can be easily removed after being numbed.

Sun Spots (Lentigos, Age or Liver Spots)
These are benign, tan, or brown flat spots occurring on sun exposed areas such as the face, and back of hands. They can be safely and effectively removed with laser, liquid nitrogen, or chemical peels.

Milia Cysts
These are tiny white bumps (almost like deep whiteheads) that develop on the face. They are benign and can be quickly and painlessly removed or extracted. Creams in the vitamin A family, like Renova/Retin-A/tretinoin or an alpha hydroxy cream, if used for a month or two before extraction, may help to loosen these a little bit and make them easier to remove. Retin-A or alpha hydroxy creams used over time may also help to prevent them from forming.

Sebaceous hyperplasia (Enlarged Oil Glands)
These show up on the face as small, soft bumps that are slightly yellowish or off-white in color. Unlike milia, they are not hard, and they tend to be the same texture as skin. Also, if you look very closely in good light, you may see a small pore in the center of each bump. These are basically oil glands that have enlarged over time. These are treated with a small electric instrument that looks like a pencil and essentially melts the bumps (electric cautery).

Angiomas
These are small, red "cherry spots" that can increase with aging. These can be easily removed by laser or electric cautery.

Spider veins (Broken Blood Vessels, Telangiectasia)
These red or purple vessels often occur on the face, especially on the cheeks and nose. They can easily be treated with laser or sometimes by electric cautery. Spider vein removal on the legs may be treated with sclerotherapy (injections) or laser.

Warts
These are common benign skin growths caused by viruses. Different warts respond to different treatments. Some go away spontaneously without treatment. Salicylic acid products can help in the self-treatment of many warts. Others can be removed by liquid nitrogen freezing or laser treatment. Excision may be recommended for painful or large warts that do not respond to these treatments

Cysts & Lipomas
These are collections of oil (sebum) or fat beneath the skin. If they are red, swollen and painful then an injection with cortisone can be helpful. Otherwise, an excision is required to remove them. This can be done safely and painlessly with a local numbing injection

Moles (Nevi)
Moles are growths that commonly occur and are usually brown or flesh-colored and can be flat or elevated. A mole can be removed by a variety of techniques, depending on the size and location. If you notice a change in a mole or if it looks unusual (ie. not symmetric, irregular borders, very dark or multiple colors, or larger than a pencil eraser), it could be dangerous (ie. melanoma) and must be biopsied or tested.

Skin Cancers and Pre-Cancers
(Actinic Keratosis, Basal and Squamous Carninoma, Melanoma)
These are growths that may be changing in size or color or are bleeding. Dr. Sterling will examine the growths to determine if a biopsied is needed. There are many safe and effective modalities for treating skin cancer including creams, liquid nitrogen freezing, excision, and Mohs micrographic surgery.