Abnormal skin growths and other Maladies

Abnormal skin growth conditions –

Actinic or solar keratosis (Rough and raised pigmented skin plaques)

Actinic or solar keratosis, also known as sunspots or age spots, are flat, scaly lesions that develop on sun-exposed areas of the skin, such as the face, neck, arms, and hands. They are caused by chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds and are more common in people with fair skin, light eyes, and a history of sunburns.

While actinic keratosis (AK) is not a type of skin cancer, it is considered a precancerous condition, as it can develop into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a common form of skin cancer. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of AK is essential to prevent its progression to skin cancer.

Our clinic offers various treatments for actinic keratosis, depending on the severity, location, and number of lesions. These treatments aim to remove or destroy the affected cells, promote healing, and prevent recurrence.

The following are some of the most effective treatments for actinic keratosis that we offer:

Cryotherapy is a common and straightforward treatment involving liquid nitrogen freezing the lesion. The frozen tissue then falls off, leaving a scab that heals within a few weeks. Cryotherapy is best suited for isolated or small AK lesions and may require multiple sessions for complete clearance.
Topical medications – Various prescription creams and gels can be applied to the affected area to kill the abnormal cells and stimulate healing. These medications typically contain 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, or diclofenac and may cause redness, crusting, and irritation during treatment. Topical medications are helpful for minor to moderate AK lesions and require several weeks of application.
Excisional surgery – Surgical removal may be necessary for more extensive or invasive AK lesions to prevent their progression to skin cancer. This involves cutting out the lesion and some surrounding tissue and stitching the wound closed. Excisional surgery may cause scarring and require a longer healing time. However, this has the advantage of the benefits of a biopsy.

We use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to ensure optimal results and patient satisfaction. We also provide aftercare instructions and follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and address concerns.

If you have noticed any suspicious skin lesions or have a history of sun exposure, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with us to evaluate your skin health and discuss your treatment options. Early detection and intervention can significantly affect the outcome and prognosis of actinic keratosis

Dermatofibromas:

Dermatofibromas are common benign skin growths that typically occur in adults. They are small, raised bumps on the skin, often with a reddish-brown colour. Although dermatofibromas are generally harmless, they can be a cosmetic concern for people, mainly if they are located in visible areas such as the face or neck. We offer a range of treatments to help reduce the appearance of dermatofibromas and restore smooth, clear skin.

The exact cause of dermatofibromas is unknown, but they often develop after a minor injury, such as a bug bite or skin trauma. They rarely occur associated with conditions like autoimmune diseases, infections or tumours.

Dermatofibromas are most commonly found on the legs, although they can appear anywhere on the body. They are typically less than half an inch in size but can occasionally grow larger. They are usually asymptomatic but can become itchy, tender or painful if irritated or traumatized.

Excisional surgery is a standard treatment for dermatofibromas. During the procedure, the growth is removed completely and the wound is sutured closed. The removed lesion is then sent for pathological evaluation.

Laser therapy can remove the top layer of skin containing the dermatofibroma. This is often used for smaller dermatofibromas on the face or other sensitive areas.

Injections of triamcinolone acetonide (a corticosteroid) into the dermatofibroma can help to reduce its size and appearance. This treatment is most effective for smaller lesions and may need to be repeated over several months.

After treatment, it is essential to keep the area clean and dry and to avoid any activities that may irritate the skin, such as sun exposure or rigorous exercise.

Dermatofibromas can have an effect on a person’s confidence and self-esteem. Therefore, we will work with you to develop a customized treatment plan that meets your individual needs and goals.

Lipomas

Lipomas are benign fatty tumours that can occur anywhere on the body. Although lipomas are not usually harmful, they can be unsightly and cause discomfort or pain if they grow too large or are in a sensitive area. We offer safe and effective lipoma removal services to help you achieve the smooth and even skin you desire.

A lipoma is a slow-growing fatty swelling that appears just beneath the skin. They are typically soft, round, and painless. Lipomas can grow anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on the neck, shoulders, arms, back, and thighs. While they are not usually harmful, some lipomas may grow large and cause discomfort or pain. They can also be a cosmetic concern for some individuals.

Lipomas are typically diagnosed through a physical examination, although imaging tests such as ultrasound or MRI may be used to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other conditions.

The exact cause of lipomas is unknown, but they are thought to be caused by an overgrowth of fat cells. Lipomas tend to run in families, so genetics may play a role in their development. They are more common in middle-aged individuals and can also be associated with certain medical conditions such as adiposis dolorosa.

Treatment options

Excision: In this procedure, the lipoma is surgically removed under local anaesthesia. A small incision is made in the skin, and the lipoma is carefully extracted. The incision is then closed with sutures.
Liposuction: Liposuction can be used to remove smaller lipomas. A small incision is made in the skin, and a cannula is inserted to suction the fatty tissue.
Steroid Injections: In some cases, steroid injections may be used to shrink the lipoma. This method is typically used for smaller lipomas that are not causing discomfort or pain.

We will work with you to determine the best method for removing your lipoma based on size, location, and personal preferences. Our goal is to provide safe, effective treatment that leaves you with minimal scarring and a smooth, even skin surface.

After removing the lipoma, keeping the treated area clean and dry is essential. Depending on the removal method, you may need to wear a compression garment or bandage for some time. We will provide detailed instructions on how to care for the treated area after the procedure.

One can return to normal activities within a few days after removing the lipoma. You may experience some discomfort or swelling in the treated area, but this typically resolves within a few days to a week. It is important to avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting for several weeks after the procedure to allow the treated area to heal properly.

Milia

Skin milia, also known as milium or milia, are small, white, hard bumps that can appear on the face, neck, and other areas of the body. Milia occur when dead skin cells become trapped beneath the skin’s surface and form small cysts. They are harmless and painless, but they can be aesthetically displeasing to some people. At our cosmetic clinic, we offer a range of treatments for skin milia that can help you achieve smoother, clearer skin.

In adults, milia can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Excessive sun exposure: Overexposure to the sun can cause damage to the skin and lead to the formation of milia.
Certain skin care products: Some skin care products, particularly those that are heavy or greasy, can clog pores and lead to the formation of milia.
Trauma to the skin: Any trauma to the skin, such as burns or blisters, can lead to the formation of milia.
Genetic predisposition: Some people are simply more prone to developing milia due to their genetics.

The primary symptom of skin milia is the appearance of small, white or yellowish bumps on the skin’s surface. These bumps are usually 1-2 mm in diameter and can occur in clusters or individually. They are most commonly found on the face, particularly around the eyes and nose, but can also appear on the neck and other parts of the body.

Miliae are typically painless and do not cause any itching or redness. However, in rare cases, milia can become inflamed and irritated, which can cause discomfort and pain.

In most cases, milia will go away on their own without any treatment. However, if you are bothered by their appearance, or if they become inflamed or irritated, there are a few treatment options available.

We offer the following treatments for skin milia:

Extraction: This is the most common treatment for milia. A sterile needle or blade is used to extract the milia from beneath the skin’s surface. This is a safe and effective procedure that can be done quickly and with minimal discomfort.
Radio frequency ablation is a useful procedure to ablate milia. We feel this gives superior results to simple needle extraction.
Laser therapy: Laser therapy can be used to remove milia by targeting the cysts with a laser. This is a safe and effective treatment that can be done quickly and with minimal discomfort.

There are a few steps you can take to help prevent the formation of milia. Using gentle, non-comedogenic skin care products that will not clog pores

Avoiding excessive sun exposure
Keeping your skin clean and well-moisturized
Avoiding picking at or squeezing

Abnormal skin growths and other Maladies

Abnormal skin growth conditions –

Actinic or solar keratosis (Rough and raised pigmented skin plaques)

While actinic keratosis (AK) is not a type of skin cancer, it is considered a precancerous condition, as it can develop into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a common form of skin cancer. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of AK is essential to prevent its progression to skin cancer.

Our clinic offers various treatments for actinic keratosis, depending on the severity, location, and number of lesions. These treatments aim to remove or destroy the affected cells, promote healing, and prevent recurrence.

The following are some of the most effective treatments for actinic keratosis that we offer:

Cryotherapy is a common and straightforward treatment involving liquid nitrogen freezing the lesion. The frozen tissue then falls off, leaving a scab that heals within a few weeks. Cryotherapy is best suited for isolated or small AK lesions and may require multiple sessions for complete clearance.

We use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to ensure optimal results and patient satisfaction. We also provide aftercare instructions and follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and address concerns.

Dermatofibromas:

The exact cause of dermatofibromas is unknown, but they often develop after a minor injury, such as a bug bite or skin trauma. They rarely occur associated with conditions like autoimmune diseases, infections or tumours.

Dermatofibromas are most commonly found on the legs, although they can appear anywhere on the body. They are typically less than half an inch in size but can occasionally grow larger. They are usually asymptomatic but can become itchy, tender or painful if irritated or traumatized.

Excisional surgery is a standard treatment for dermatofibromas. During the procedure, the growth is removed completely and the wound is sutured closed. The removed lesion is then sent for pathological evaluation.

Laser therapy can remove the top layer of skin containing the dermatofibroma. This is often used for smaller dermatofibromas on the face or other sensitive areas.

Injections of triamcinolone acetonide (a corticosteroid) into the dermatofibroma can help to reduce its size and appearance. This treatment is most effective for smaller lesions and may need to be repeated over several months.

After treatment, it is essential to keep the area clean and dry and to avoid any activities that may irritate the skin, such as sun exposure or rigorous exercise.

Dermatofibromas can have an effect on a person’s confidence and self-esteem. Therefore, we will work with you to develop a customized treatment plan that meets your individual needs and goals.

Lipomas

Lipomas are typically diagnosed through a physical examination, although imaging tests such as ultrasound or MRI may be used to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other conditions.

Treatment options

Excision: In this procedure, the lipoma is surgically removed under local anaesthesia. A small incision is made in the skin, and the lipoma is carefully extracted. The incision is then closed with sutures.

Liposuction: Liposuction can be used to remove smaller lipomas. A small incision is made in the skin, and a cannula is inserted to suction the fatty tissue.

Steroid Injections: In some cases, steroid injections may be used to shrink the lipoma. This method is typically used for smaller lipomas that are not causing discomfort or pain.

We will work with you to determine the best method for removing your lipoma based on size, location, and personal preferences. Our goal is to provide safe, effective treatment that leaves you with minimal scarring and a smooth, even skin surface.

After removing the lipoma, keeping the treated area clean and dry is essential. Depending on the removal method, you may need to wear a compression garment or bandage for some time. We will provide detailed instructions on how to care for the treated area after the procedure.

Milia

In adults, milia can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Excessive sun exposure: Overexposure to the sun can cause damage to the skin and lead to the formation of milia.

Certain skin care products: Some skin care products, particularly those that are heavy or greasy, can clog pores and lead to the formation of milia.

Trauma to the skin: Any trauma to the skin, such as burns or blisters, can lead to the formation of milia.

Genetic predisposition: Some people are simply more prone to developing milia due to their genetics.

Miliae are typically painless and do not cause any itching or redness. However, in rare cases, milia can become inflamed and irritated, which can cause discomfort and pain.

In most cases, milia will go away on their own without any treatment. However, if you are bothered by their appearance, or if they become inflamed or irritated, there are a few treatment options available.

We offer the following treatments for skin milia:

Extraction: This is the most common treatment for milia. A sterile needle or blade is used to extract the milia from beneath the skin’s surface. This is a safe and effective procedure that can be done quickly and with minimal discomfort.

Radio frequency ablation is a useful procedure to ablate milia. We feel this gives superior results to simple needle extraction.

Laser therapy: Laser therapy can be used to remove milia by targeting the cysts with a laser. This is a safe and effective treatment that can be done quickly and with minimal discomfort.

There are a few steps you can take to help prevent the formation of milia. Using gentle, non-comedogenic skin care products that will not clog pores

Avoiding excessive sun exposure

Keeping your skin clean and well-moisturized

Avoiding picking at or squeezing