Skin lesions are abnormal growths or marks on the skin that can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, environmental factors, and medical conditions. Fortunately, there are various methods for removing skin lesions, depending on the type and severity of the lesion.

Skin tags

Skin tags are small, soft, skin-coloured or brown growths that hang off the skin. They are made of loose collagen fibres and look a bit like warts.

They are very common, harmless, and can vary in colour and size – from a few millimetres up to 5cm.

Skin tags are usually found on the neck, armpits, around the groin, or under the breasts. They can also grow on the eyelids or under the folds of the buttocks.

Why Skin tags occur

Skin tags can develop in Both men and women, they tend to occur in older people and people who are obese or have type 2 diabetes. Some people can develop them for no apparent reason.

Skin tags tend to grow in the skin folds, where the skin rubs against itself, such as on the neck, armpits or groin. This is why they tend to affect overweight people who have excess folds of skin and skin chafing.

Moles

Most moles are benign (non-cancerous). If you notice changes in a mole’s color or appearance, have your mole evaluated by your GP or dermatologist. You also should have moles checked if they bleed, ooze, itch, appear scaly, or become tender or painful.

The Skin & Laser Clinic does not provide this service.

Seborrheic keratosis

Seborrheic keratosis is a common, harmless skin growth on the skin. They usually appear as a pale, black or brown in colour. The growths give a stuck on appearance waxy, scaly and slightly raised . They usually appear on the head, scalp, neck, chest or back (areas most exposed to the sun).

You can develop a single growth, although multiple growths are more common. You are generally more likely to develop seborrheic keratosis if your over the age of 50 and more likely to get them if you have s family history of the condition.

Xanthelasma

Xanthelasma is a build up of cholesterol underneath the skin. It takes the appearance of a soft, yellowish fatty deposits and is most commonly found around the eyes.

The condition is rare but you can sometimes get it if there are high levels of cholesterol or other fats in your blood. It is always a good idea to have it checked by your GP. However, It is also possible to get it even if your cholesterol levels are normal.

Anybody can develop xanthelasma but it is more common in women then in men, if your between the ages of 30 and 50, a smoker, have diabetes or if your Asian or Mediterranean descent.

Milia

A milia cyst is small, white or yellow bump that typically appears on the nose, cheeks and around the eye. These cysts are often found in a group however it is not uncommon to have just the one which would be a ‘milium’.

Milia occurs when keratin becomes trapped beneath the surface of the skin. It can occur in people with all ethnicities and ages.