Raised, waxy or crusty skin lesions that catch on clothing or bother you cosmetically can be removed with cryotherapy or curettage. All lesions assessed with dermoscopy before treatment. No referral required.
WhatsApp: +44 7882 677844 · 380 Ewell Road, Surbiton KT6 7BE
What we offer:
A seborrhoeic keratosis (SK) — also spelt seborrheic keratosis — is an extremely common benign skin growth. They appear in middle age and become more numerous with age. They are entirely non-cancerous and have no potential to become cancerous. They are, however, cosmetically bothersome and can catch on clothing, become itchy, or bleed when they catch.
Seborrhoeic keratoses have a distinctive appearance: raised, with a warty or greasy, "stuck-on" texture, usually brown or dark brown in colour, though they can range from pale tan to almost black. They most commonly appear on the torso, shoulders, upper back and face.
Always have new pigmented lesions assessed
Seborrhoeic keratoses can resemble melanoma — particularly amelanotic melanoma and nodular melanoma — on naked-eye inspection. At Lambert Medical, we always assess with dermoscopy before removing any pigmented lesion. Please do not apply this to any lesion that has changed suddenly or that bleeds easily — book an urgent assessment instead.
| Feature | Seborrhoeic Keratosis | Melanoma (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Rough, warty, "stuck-on" appearance | Usually flat or subtly raised; smooth |
| Colour | Tan, brown, dark brown; often uniform | Mixed colours — brown, black, red, white, blue |
| Border | Well-defined; often with crinkled edge | Irregular, notched or blurred |
| Change | Slow; may gradually darken or enlarge | Often rapid change over weeks or months |
| Texture | Greasy; comedone-like pits visible under dermoscopy | No characteristic texture |
| Age of onset | Typically 40s–50s; increases with age | Any age; more common over 50 |
Dermoscopy allows the clinician to inspect the microarchitecture of the lesion. Classic SK features under dermoscopy include milia-like cysts, comedo-like openings, and a cerebriform (brain-like) pattern. These are rarely seen in melanoma.
Seek prompt assessment if any lesion:
Liquid nitrogen is applied to the lesion for 5–20 seconds. The cold destroys the cells of the SK. The area blisters and crusts over 1–4 weeks, after which the lesion falls away.
Best for: Flat to moderately raised SKs
Sessions: Usually 1–2 per lesion
Under local anaesthetic, the lesion is scraped away using a curette. The area is then cauterised to stop bleeding and prevent regrowth. Performed as an outpatient procedure.
Best for: Thicker, raised or large SKs
Sessions: Usually 1
Cryotherapy aftercare:
Keep the treated area clean and dry. Avoid picking the blister or crust. Apply a simple emollient if the area feels dry. Sun protection is recommended on treated areas once healed to minimise pigment change.
No. NHS dermatology does not remove seborrhoeic keratoses for cosmetic reasons. Removal is funded only in exceptional circumstances — for example, if a lesion cannot be distinguished from a suspicious lesion on clinical grounds and requires excision for histology, or if it is causing significant functional problems. For the vast majority of people who want an SK removed because it is itchy, cosmetically bothersome, or catching on clothing, private treatment is the only route.
At Lambert Medical Practice, you can be seen the same week — no GP referral, no months on a waiting list.
For more information on how seborrhoeic keratoses are assessed and what to expect at a consultation, see our blog post: Seborrhoeic Keratosis: Should You Have It Removed?
Same-week appointments available. No GP referral required.
Book online WhatsApp 0208 133 5694Lambert Medical Practice
380 Ewell Road, Tolworth
Surbiton, Surrey KT6 7BE
Serving Surbiton, Kingston, Wimbledon, Epsom and Surrey
Dr Nancy Abdelrahman at Lambert Medical Practice — dermoscopy-confirmed assessment, cryotherapy or curettage, same-week availability. No referral. Serving Surbiton, Kingston and Surrey.