Options for raised skin growths that bother you or get in the way.
A raised spot that catches on clothing or affects your confidence can be worth discussing. Fox Valley Plastic Surgery evaluates suspected seborrheic keratoses and explains your removal options.
Contact our team to arrange an evaluation with Jay Garrow, PA-C. We welcome patients from Oshkosh, Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Fond du Lac and surrounding communities.
A seborrheic keratosis is a common, noncancerous (benign) skin growth that develops when cells in the outer layer of the skin multiply and gradually build up. These growths often have a waxy, rough, or slightly raised appearance, sometimes looking as though they have been stuck onto the surface of the skin.
Seborrheic keratoses are especially common in middle-aged and older adults. They can appear almost anywhere on the body, particularly the face, scalp, chest, back, and shoulders. Although harmless, some patients choose to have them removed because of irritation, discomfort, or cosmetic concerns.
Seborrheic keratoses may be:
The exact cause is not completely understood. Seborrheic keratoses develop through a buildup of skin cells in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin.
Several factors may contribute:
Unlike warts, seborrheic keratoses are not caused by a virus and are not contagious. They are also different from actinic keratoses, which are precancerous growths associated with sun damage.
There is no proven way to prevent seborrheic keratoses from developing. Because genetics and aging play important roles, these growths may appear even in individuals who take excellent care of their skin.
However, maintaining healthy skin habits is still beneficial:
Although sun protection is important for preventing skin damage and reducing skin cancer risk, it has not been proven to prevent seborrheic keratoses.
Most seborrheic keratoses do not require treatment. However, removal may be appropriate when a growth:
A growth that changes rapidly, bleeds without injury, or looks unusual should be evaluated before cosmetic removal. Some skin cancers, including melanoma, can resemble seborrheic keratoses.
Treatment begins with an evaluation of the growth’s appearance, size, location, and symptoms. Because seborrheic keratoses can resemble other skin conditions, our providers first determine whether the growth appears benign or requires additional testing.
When removal is appropriate, several office-based treatment options may be available.
SHAVE REMOVAL
Best for: Raised or thicker seborrheic keratoses
Shave removal involves numbing the skin with local anesthesia and carefully removing the raised growth using a specialized surgical blade. Because the growth is removed at or near the skin’s surface, stitches are generally not necessary.
ELECTROCAUTERY
Best for: Small, raised, or multiple superficial growths
Electrocautery uses controlled electrical energy to destroy unwanted tissue. The provider may also gently remove the treated growth using a curette or other surgical instrument.
CRYOTHERAPY (FREEZING)
Best for: Thin, superficial seborrheic keratoses
Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the unwanted growth. Following treatment, the area may become red, swollen, or blistered before forming a crust and gradually healing.
LASER ABLATION
Best for: Selected superficial growths and patients seeking treatment of multiple lesions
Laser ablation uses focused laser energy to remove or vaporize unwanted skin tissue. Depending on the type of laser and the characteristics of the growth, treatment can be performed with considerable precision while limiting injury to surrounding tissue.
SURGICAL EXCISION
Best for: Growths requiring deeper removal or diagnostic evaluation
Surgical excision involves numbing the area with local anesthesia and removing the growth through an incision. Depending on the depth and location of the removal, stitches may be required to close the wound.
Bring your medication list and any biopsy reports. Tell us about blood thinners, allergies and previous healing problems.
The treated area may form a crust or need a dressing as it heals. With shave removal, temporary redness, pigmentation changes, or a flat or slightly depressed scar may occur. The growth may occasionally recur. With electrocautery, temporary redness, lighter or darker pigmentation, and occasional scarring may occur. With cryotherapy, temporary or permanent changes in skin pigmentation can occur, particularly in patients with darker skin tones. Blistering and occasional scarring are also possible. With laser ablation and excision, redness, pigmentation changes, scarring, or recurrence may occur.
Follow the instructions for your treatment and avoid picking at the site. Temporary or lasting changes in skin color can occur, and scarring is possible. Your provider will discuss these risks before you decide.
You will receive instructions specific to your care. Contact the office with concerns about worsening pain, redness, drainage or bleeding. Do not stop prescribed medications without instructions from your treating clinician.
We accept many insurance plans and offer self-pay options. Your insurance estimate depends on the evaluation, procedure, and size and location of the growth. Pathology fees, when applicable, are billed separately.
Medically necessary treatment may be covered, subject to your plan’s terms, deductible, copay and any authorization requirements. Cosmetic removal may not be covered. Verify your provider’s network status with your insurer.
Whether a consultation is considered medically necessary or cosmetic depends on the condition being evaluated and applicable insurance coverage.
Insurance-Based Consultations
For medically necessary conditions that may be covered by insurance, your consultation will be billed to your insurance provider. Applicable copays, deductibles, and coinsurance are the patient’s responsibility, based on their individual insurance plan.
Cosmetic Consultations
For cosmetic or elective procedures not covered by insurance, a $100 consultation fee is required. Consultation fees are non-refundable and are not applied toward the cost of treatment or procedures.
Performed by a Physician Assistant, the superficial removal of a seborrheic keratosis lesion starts at $125. Additional charge for face, neck, head, and hand. Custom quote for removal by excision or laser.
Discounted self-pay pricing are available when multiple superficial removal of SK’s are performed at the same appointment. The first superficial removal of SK by shave, electrocautery, or cryotherapy is full price, the 2nd is discounted 20%, and the 3rd and additional ones are each discounted 30%. Prices assume uncomplicated office-based procedures under local anesthesia.
How Is the Cost of Removal Determined?
The cost of surgical removal is based primarily on the size of the incision and final wound closure, not the size of the visible mole, cyst, or skin growth. In many cases, the incision must be larger than the growth itself to allow for complete removal and proper closure. Pricing may also vary depending on the location of the growth, the complexity of the procedure, the type of closure required, and the selection of provider. Additional charges may apply for facial procedures or those requiring layered or complex suturing. Our providers will evaluate your condition and provide a personalized cost estimate before proceeding with treatment.
Your care starts with evaluating the growth and recommending an appropriate plan. When removal is recommended, we discuss the approach, closure and expected healing.
Our practice offers office-based procedural care for a range of medical and cosmetic skin concerns, with wound care guidance and follow-up. Schedule an evaluation with Jay Garrow, PA-C, and bring your questions.
Jay combines nearly two decades of surgical and emergency medicine experience with a personalized approach to minor skin procedures. Since 2022, he has worked alongside our plastic surgeons, assisting in surgery and managing postoperative recovery. Special interests: Skin growth removal, cysts, lipomas, wound care, and surgical healing.
No. Seborrheic keratoses are benign skin growths and do not develop into skin cancer. However, certain skin cancers, including melanoma, can resemble seborrheic keratoses. Any changing, bleeding, or unusual growth should be evaluated before removal.
Seborrheic keratoses are harmless skin growths that often have a raised, waxy, or stuck-on appearance. Actinic keratoses are rough, scaly, precancerous lesions caused by long-term sun exposure. Some actinic keratoses can progress to squamous cell carcinoma. The two conditions require different treatment approaches.
Most removal procedures are well tolerated. Depending on the technique, local anesthesia may be used to numb the treatment area. Mild redness, tenderness, or crusting may occur afterward and generally improves as the skin heals.
A treated growth may occasionally return, particularly if it was not completely removed. New seborrheic keratoses may also develop elsewhere because of aging and genetic factors.
Removing skin creates a wound, and healing creates a scar. Any removal procedure can also cause changes in skin pigmentation. Many superficial treatments heal with minimal visible changes, but results depend on the growth’s size, location, treatment method, and individual healing.
Home removal is not recommended. Scraping, cutting, burning, or applying unapproved chemical treatments can cause infection, scarring, and skin damage. Additionally, a growth that resembles seborrheic keratosis could be another condition requiring medical evaluation.
Insurance may cover removal when medically necessary, such as for growths causing significant irritation, repeated bleeding, or other documented symptoms. Removal performed solely for cosmetic reasons is generally not covered. Coverage varies by insurance plan.
Fox Valley Plastic Surgery provides surgical dermatology services for patients throughout Oshkosh, Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Fond du Lac, and surrounding Fox Valley communities without a long wait time for appointment availability. Our experienced medical team evaluates and treats a wide range of skin conditions, from bothersome benign growths to lesions that may require testing for skin cancer. Many procedures can be performed conveniently in our office using local anesthesia, allowing patients to return home shortly after treatment.
Let’s discuss your next step. Get your questions answered and understand your treatment options. Call 920-233-1540.