What is Seborrheic keratosis and how can it be removed at our Norwich specialist laser clinic?

Seborrheic keratosis removal

Seborrheic keratosis is a common type of skin growth that appears as lesions (growths) that are usually brown, black, or light tan in colour and may be slightly raised on skin. Most cases of Seborrheic keratosis are during middle age or older – they are often associated with ageing due to their wart-like appearance. They are non-cancerous growths that are harmless, however they might be irritated by clothing and you might consider them to be unsightly. To book a medical consultation at our clinic, just click here.

You may then choose to have your Seborrheic keratosis lesion removed, in which case our experts at our Norwich medical clinic can be of service. We specialise in lesion removal.

Causes of Seborrheic keratosis

The causes of Seborrheic keratosis are not completely understood, however one reason could be it is inherited, as these skin growths can run in families. Furthermore, the development of one Seborrheic keratosis increases risk of developing others, although it is not contagious (it cannot be spread) or cancerous.

Some studies have suggested exposure to sun can play a role in getting Seborrheic keratoses – however as they can also appear in areas which are covered, more research is needed.

Some people also develop Seborrheic keratoses during pregnancy or after oestrogen replacement therapy.

Where does Seborrheic keratosis appear?

Seborrheic keratoses can appear anywhere on the skin, although they are most commonly found on the chest, back, head or neck. They will not appear on the palms or soles.

Seborrheic keratosis Treatment

Here at the Norwich medical laser clinic, our expert team can evaluate whether your lesion is Seborrheic keratosis or not. Sometimes it can look like skin cancer, so rest assured if this is the case we will take a sample for biopsy and rule out this possibility. We can also rule out other possible skin concerns and conditions.

If your Seborrheic keratosis is unsightly, becomes irritated easily or gets caught on clothing or jewellery, then we can help remove it for you. Treatment at our clinic is with the Alma CO2 laser – a quick, safe and effective approach to removal of skin growths with minimal damage to surrounding tissue.

During treatment, no bleeding or cutting of the skin occurs, thus reducing the overall risk of scarring. The CO2 laser also doesn’t affect the surrounding healthy tissue. We will also aim to remove the whole growth, although where this is not possible, we will advise on future appointments. Aftercare will also be provided.  We have seen 1000’s of patients over the years at our clinic and we consider ourselves to be the best clinic in Norwich to have your skin lesions checked and removed.

Seborrheic keratosis FAQs

Should I be worried about seborrheic keratosis?

It can be worrying when looking at Seborrheic keratosis growths as they can look like warts, pre-cancerous growths (actinic keratosis) or skin cancer. However, they are harmless, but if you are worried, we would urge you to consult your doctor who can rule out any possibility of it being harmful. One of the most common phrases we hear is ‘I am worried about my mole’ Rather than wait, we feel the best clinic advice is ‘better to be safe than sorry’.

What are the signs and symptoms of Seborrheic keratosis?

Seborrheic keratoses will often begin as small, rough bumps in the skin that thicken over time and develop into a wart-like surface. They will usually be brown in colour although this can range from white to black. Their size will also range from smaller than an inch to the size of a small coin. They may appear waxy and stuck onto the skin, forming anywhere on the chest, back, stomach, scalp, face, neck, or other parts of the body. They might itch but should cause no pain.

Is Seborrheic keratosis contagious?

Seborrheic keratosis is not contagious (cannot be spread) despite the fact they seem to multiply and spread to other areas of skin. However, it is likely that as you age, numbers of these growths increase.

If you are worried about seborrheic keratosis or any other skin lesion or skin problem then book an appointment with the experts at The Doctors Laser Clinic, Poringland, Norwich, Norfolk and allow us to put your mind at rest. We select all our laser machines with maximum safety and efficacy in mind.

Related Articles:

• Understanding Seborrheic Dermatitis