Benign skin growths are caused by an abnormal collection of cells in the skin. These growths are harmless and do not turn cancerous.
Skin Tags
Skin tags are harmless, skin-coloured or brown growths that commonly occur on the neck, underarms, groin, and eyelids. They often appear as multiple lesions ranging in size from 1 to 10mm. Skin tags can be easily and precisely removed using carbon dioxide laser, although they may recur.
Seborrhoeic Keratosis
Seborrhoeic keratosis are superficial skin overgrowths that increase in number with age. In early stages, they are brown and slightly raised, but over time may become larger, pigmented nodules. They commonly appear on the face, trunk, groin, and sun-exposed areas. Seborrhoeic keratosis is benign and non-cancerous, and can be effectively removed using carbon dioxide laser with minimal disruption to surrounding skin.
Sebaceous Hyperplasia (Oil Gland Overgrowth)
Sebaceous hyperplasia presents as yellowish growths, most often on the face, caused by an increase in proliferation of oil glands just below the skin surface. It may be treated with oral medications to reduce the oil glands or with carbon dioxide laser therapy.
Syringomas
Syringomas are caused by abnormal proliferation of sweat ducts in the skin. These flesh-coloured small growths are typically found around the eyes. They may run in families. Treatment with carbon dioxide laser is precise and reduces the risk of recurrence.
Epidermal Cysts
Epidermal cysts are non-cancerous, dome-shaped nodules that can appear on the face, neck, and body. They are more common in adult men, and appear as flesh-coloured to yellowish, firm, round nodules of variable size, sometimes with a central pore. The cyst contains soft, cheese-like, malodorous material.
Complications may occur if the cyst becomes inflamed or ruptures. Do not squeeze or pick at the cyst, as this can aggravate the condition. Inflamed cysts are treated with oral antibiotics, and surgery may be performed later to remove the cyst entirely.