Skin growths come in many different forms, with some more obvious, annoying, and possibly more dangerous than others.
If you’ve found any new skin growths recently, or are worried about the one you’ve had for a while, don’t panic.
Below are the answers to the top five questions that people want to know around skin growths.
If you’ve found any new skin growths recently, or are worried about the one you’ve had for a while, don’t panic.
Below are the answers to the top five questions that people want to know around skin growths.
What are skin growths?
Skin growths cover a lot of things.
Moles, warts, seborrheic keratoses, Cutaneous Cysts, Dermatofibromas, Keloids, Lipomas
and skin tags all fall under the umbrella of skin growths.
All of these are non-cancerous, however, melanoma can evolve near or through a mole, becoming dangerous.
Any new growth should be seen by a medical professional to determine whether further action is needed.
Skin tags are the most common complaint when it comes to skin growths.
They are normally not a problem, but they may be unattractive, and clothing or skin may rub and irritate them so they can bleed or hurt.
Moles, warts, seborrheic keratoses, Cutaneous Cysts, Dermatofibromas, Keloids, Lipomas
and skin tags all fall under the umbrella of skin growths.
All of these are non-cancerous, however, melanoma can evolve near or through a mole, becoming dangerous.
Any new growth should be seen by a medical professional to determine whether further action is needed.
Skin tags are the most common complaint when it comes to skin growths.
They are normally not a problem, but they may be unattractive, and clothing or skin may rub and irritate them so they can bleed or hurt.
Are they dangerous?
Discovering a skin tag can be alarming, but there is no need to worry, skin tags are generally harmless.
They're not cancerous themselves and they don't increase the risk of skin cancer.
The vast majority of skin tags have no symptoms. They don't hurt, itch, or do anything else.
The general problem with skin tags is an aesthetic one.
Many people find they are self-conscious and and try to cover up skin tags, but even this creates its own problem because they tend to snag on clothing.
Unfortunately, skin tags usually form around the eyes, making them difficult to hide, and if they grow big enough (which is rare) they can affect a person’s vision.
They're not cancerous themselves and they don't increase the risk of skin cancer.
The vast majority of skin tags have no symptoms. They don't hurt, itch, or do anything else.
The general problem with skin tags is an aesthetic one.
Many people find they are self-conscious and and try to cover up skin tags, but even this creates its own problem because they tend to snag on clothing.
Unfortunately, skin tags usually form around the eyes, making them difficult to hide, and if they grow big enough (which is rare) they can affect a person’s vision.
What causes them?
To understand what causes skin growths, we have to look at their make up.
As we grow older, the cells of our skin accumulate in the underlying tissue, causing them to grow out of control.
Some growths may just be under the surface and show as dark brown or black marks.
Others continue to grow up through the surface and appear raised or as skin tags.
Both men and women can develop skin tags at any time, but they do usually tend to occur from mid-thirties on.
Some people are more likely to be affected by skin growths than others, such as those suffering from obesity, type 2 diabetes, or women who are pregnant.
As we grow older, the cells of our skin accumulate in the underlying tissue, causing them to grow out of control.
Some growths may just be under the surface and show as dark brown or black marks.
Others continue to grow up through the surface and appear raised or as skin tags.
Both men and women can develop skin tags at any time, but they do usually tend to occur from mid-thirties on.
Some people are more likely to be affected by skin growths than others, such as those suffering from obesity, type 2 diabetes, or women who are pregnant.
Can I just cut them off?
Cutting a skin tag off is like pulling your own tooth and we don’t recommend it.
The fact is, because skin tags are harmless, there's usually no medical reason to remove them other than an aesthetic one.
If you have a skin tag that’s unsightly or annoying, then yes, by all means, have it removed, just speak to a medical professional first!
Skin tags can easily be burnt or frozen off in a similar way to the removal of warts, but again, this should only be done by a professional.
Trying to remove a skin growth yourself can only lead to trouble and again it is not recommended.
Never, ever try to cut large skin tags off as they will bleed profusely.
The fact is, because skin tags are harmless, there's usually no medical reason to remove them other than an aesthetic one.
If you have a skin tag that’s unsightly or annoying, then yes, by all means, have it removed, just speak to a medical professional first!
Skin tags can easily be burnt or frozen off in a similar way to the removal of warts, but again, this should only be done by a professional.
Trying to remove a skin growth yourself can only lead to trouble and again it is not recommended.
Never, ever try to cut large skin tags off as they will bleed profusely.
How do I get rid of skin growths permanently?
When skin growths appear, there’s only one sensible option and that is to see a skin specialist.
This is for two reasons; one, they can check if the growth is benign, and two, they can give you options to remove it.
We use an Ellman Surgitron machine here, which harnesses radiofrequency surgery to remove benign lumps and bumps with virtually no scarring.
Lesions, moles, skin tags, sun spots, warts and even some skin cancers are simply vaporised away.
The removal of the benign lesion leaves a flat raw area that heals over 1 - 2 weeks.
The healed area may be darker or lighter in colour initially, but this will fade to normal skin tone over time.
If you have a skin growth you’re concerned about, give us a call today.
Our highly experienced medical professionals will be happy to help answer any questions you may have or book you in for a consultation.
This is for two reasons; one, they can check if the growth is benign, and two, they can give you options to remove it.
We use an Ellman Surgitron machine here, which harnesses radiofrequency surgery to remove benign lumps and bumps with virtually no scarring.
Lesions, moles, skin tags, sun spots, warts and even some skin cancers are simply vaporised away.
The removal of the benign lesion leaves a flat raw area that heals over 1 - 2 weeks.
The healed area may be darker or lighter in colour initially, but this will fade to normal skin tone over time.
If you have a skin growth you’re concerned about, give us a call today.
Our highly experienced medical professionals will be happy to help answer any questions you may have or book you in for a consultation.
RSS Feed
