Skin Lesions - Sebaceous Hyperplasia
Sebaceous hyperplasia is a common and harmless skin condition characterised by bumps in the skin from enlarged sebaceous (oil) glands on facial skin. This may be caused by too much oil production getting trapped under the skin or, more commonly, by overgrowth with swelling of the glands themselves. Since oil glands encircle the hair follicles and drain their oil through the pore, when they swell around the hair follicle they look like slightly pale tiny (2-4mm) doughnuts with the pore in the centre.
Sebaceous means 'of the oil glands', and Hyperplasia means 'enlargement of'.
We will create a treatment plan for your skin, which may include one or a combination of the below:
Topical retinoic acid in a prescription concentrate; PhotoDynamic Therapy (PDT); Electrocauterisation using a radiofrequency device (RF): Curettage. See the treatment guide below for more information about each of the options listed.
Other methods of treatment may include freezing, burning and some lasers which also may cause unacceptable scarring and pigmentation changes. Some topical solutions may not be permanent with the condition recurring, so we recommend a consultation for the best treatment option for you.
Benefits
Treatment of bumps caused by enlarged oil glands (Sebaceous Hyperplasia) for improved skin texture and appearance.
Treatment guide
Treatments vary, but some of the options are:
Topical retinoic acid in full prescription concentration can dry the glands and exfoliate the pores to prevent them from getting clogged with too much oil. It may take a few months to see the results, but a side benefit of the treatment is healthier and brighter skin from the retinoic acid.
PhotoDynamic Therapy (PDT) is an in-clinic treatment where a specialised light-sensitising solution is applied to the skin for a specified number of hours before being activated by a special laser light. The absorbed oil shrinks the sebaceous glands and reduces their oil production. It is an excellent non-invasive treatment and usually long-term results may be achieved. PDT is also very effective in acne, which is also related to overactive and congested oil glands. A side benefit of PDT is a healthier, brighter and smoother complexion.
Electrocauterisation using a radiofrequency (RF) device is a safer way with fewer risks of scarring and pigmentation changes than regular hot needle cauterisation. It is used to vaporise each bump, which then crusts for several days before falling off.
Curettage using a very fine surgical curette can empty and remove the affected sebaceous gland and may give very long-term results
Combination electrocautery with curettage affords the best long-term results as it both vaporises and removes the affected sebaceous glands, and is the treatment of choice that we use at our clinics.
How many treatments will I need?
PDT usually requires 2-4 treatments at one-month intervals to see a progressive improvement.
Electrocautery and /or curettage are usually a single treatment but may need to be repeated as new lesions are likely to develop with time.
Pricing guide
Enquire for a consultation and treatment plan
Considerations
PDT is extremely well tolerated and complications are rare. Usually, there is slight redness on the day of the treatment only, but very infrequently some fine blisters may develop for a few days before clearing, but this is very uncommon. There is usually no downtime.
Electrocautery-curettage is mostly very well tolerated but sometime you may develop some faint scars from this treatment, these usually settle over time. The crusts will take a week to fall off.
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Contact the team at GMC to talk about how we can help with this treatment or recommendations for your unique goals.
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