Growth Removal
Growths may show up on the skin at any point in your life and can be benign or serious in nature. They may appear alone or in groups. For example, most moles are acquired during the first 25 years of life, normally.
Average Mole Count by Age 25
Once the average person reaches the age of 25, their usual total mole count falls anywhere between 10 and 40 body-wide. It is important to note that growths may change over time, and new growths may appear as well.
Common Changes in Skin Growths
Typical changes you may find within the borders of the average growth include color changes, hair growth, and raising from the skin. Some growths may even disappear over time. However, some changes to growths can be a warning sign of something more serious, while other growths are merely cosmetic. Whatever your needs are for removing a growth, here’s what you need to know.
Skin growths are typically tiny and harmless pouches that show up on the outer layer of the skin. They are often referred to as skin tags. However, there are other blemishes found on the skin that may need to be removed as well.
Cosmetic vs. Cancerous Growths
Skin tags and moles are generally removed for cosmetic reasons, whereas cancerous growths, such as melanoma, are removed to mitigate the risks associated with skin cancer. There are actually a few different types of skin cancer, and each has a different behavior and look.
What are Seborrheic Keratoses?
Seborrheic Keratoses (SK) are common, noncancerous skin growths that often appear as waxy, raised, or wart-like lesions. These spots can vary in color from light tan to dark brown or black, and often look as if they are “stuck on” the skin. Although they can resemble a skin cancer or other skin conditions, seborrheic keratoses are completely benign and do not become malignant. They commonly develop as people age and are most common on the chest, back, face, or scalp.
What Are Actinic Keratoses?
Actinic Keratoses (AK) are dry, scaly patches that appear on sun-exposed areas, most commonly on the face, ears, scalp, neck, forearms, and hands. AKs are precancerous lesions caused by repeated ultraviolet (UV) damage, and if left untreated, they can develop into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the second most common skin cancer in the world. Early detection and treatment of AKs are important to prevent progression and to monitor other forms of skin cancer that may develop on sun-damaged skin.
Spotting Melanoma
Lastly, melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. It often appears as a new and changing dark brown or black spot on the skin, but they can also be pink, red, skin-toned, or even lack pigment entirely (amelanotic melanoma). Early detection and treatment is crucial to reduce the risk of serious complications or fatality.
As we mentioned earlier, skin growths can range from benign to serious. There are reasons to remove both types regardless of their corresponding risk, however. If you have a growth that appears and behaves strangely, it is important that you contact your dermatologist right away. Early detection is important when it comes to mitigating the risk of potential cancerous growths. Growth removal is not strictly a life-saving operation. However, many patients choose to have harmless skin tags and moles removed for cosmetic or practical reasons as well. For instance, skin tags sometimes may form on an inconvenient surface, such as an eyelid, making it difficult to blink while also being cosmetically frustrating to the patient. There are a number of reasons to remove a growth.
Dermatologists are the leading experts in the field of skin medicine. These days, you can find all sorts of home remedies and do-it-yourself kits online for a number of different conditions. These “miracle cures” are not to be substituted for the expertise of a real dermatologist equipped with the proper tools, however. They also tend to be much less effective. The removal of growths is also a delicate operation that can result in pain, scars, and even infection if performed improperly. Don’t leave it to chance. Leave your skin care in the hands of a trusted professional, so that you are safe and your treatments are a success! Call (305) 735-9474 or click here to schedule a call today!