Common Skin Lumps And Bumps: A Plastic Surgeon’s Guide
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Most adults will a skin lump or bump at some point — and most are entirely benign. Moles, cysts, lipomas, skin tags, cherry angiomas, warts, dermatofibromas, xanthelasma, milia, seborrhoeic and a dozen other minor skin lesions are part of normal life. The is rarely “is it dangerous?” — in the vast of cases it isn’t — but rather “what is it, do I need anything done about it, and if so what?”
This guide covers the most common types of skin lumps and bumps, how they differ from each other, when they need assessment, what treatment exist, and where minor lesions sit in the wider service at Centre for Surgery’s CQC-regulated Baker Street private .
How to tell what kind of lump you have
Most skin lumps fall into a small number of distinct . Each has features — feel, depth, appearance, — that an experienced can usually identify on examination alone. is rarely needed for the common benign lesions. Where any doubt exists, surgical with analysis provides definitive diagnosis.
The most common skin lumps and bumps fall into these broad groups:
The rest of this guide covers each in turn, with characteristic features, common locations, and the removal approach we use at Centre for .
Moles
A mole — medically called a naevus — is a benign of cells. Most adults have between 10 and 40 moles, and most are entirely harmless. New moles can appear up to around age 40; after this age, any new pigmented lesion review.
Moles come in many forms — flat or raised, brown or skin-coloured, smooth or slightly textured. What matters clinically is whether they show concerning features such as asymmetry, borders, colours, a greater than 6mm, or any change over time. For a full guide to benign moles from melanoma, see
At Centre for Surgery, moles are by using either shave excision, formal surgical excision, or laser — the right technique depends on the size, depth, and of the mole. Laser mole removal is available for benign raised moles where analysis is not . Every surgically excised mole is sent for as . For more detail on technique choice, see and
Cysts
The most common skin cyst in adults is the epidermoid cyst — widely referred to as a “sebaceous cyst”, though the two terms are not technically identical. For the precise distinction, see .
An cyst forms when epidermal cells become the skin surface, usually at a hair follicle or after minor trauma. The cells continue to produce keratin, which within a thin capsule, forming the firm, round, mobile lump characteristic of the condition. A small dark spot — the punctum — is often visible on the skin above the cyst.
Common cyst sites include the face, neck, scalp, back and chest. Cysts are usually but can become acutely if the wall breaks down, a rapidly swollen, red, hot, tender lump. requires complete excision of the cyst wall — any portion behind means the cyst will reform, as in
One thing should never attempt: removing a cyst at home. The — and risks — are covered in
cysts deserve a brief separate as they are particularly common in patients who have had ear piercings — see for the specific treatment approach.
Lipomas
A lipoma is a benign, slow-growing tumour made up of mature fat cells. It develops within the fat layer and is enclosed within a thin fibrous . feel distinctly soft — often described as doughy or rubbery — and move freely the skin when . The skin appears normal, with no surface feature like a cyst’s punctum.
Lipomas are the most common soft tissue tumour in adults, affecting approximately one in every hundred people. They most often develop on the shoulders, upper back, neck, upper arms and thighs. Most are solitary, but some patients develop (a called lipomatosis).
a lipoma apart from a cyst is one of the most common diagnostic questions at our clinic — the full breakdown is in .
at Centre for is performed under local anaesthetic as a procedure. For most patients, excision is the appropriate technique — see and for procedure and recovery detail. For patients with lipomas, in one session is available. Recurrence after complete excision is uncommon, as discussed in
Skin tags
Skin tags are small, soft, fleshy that hang from the skin on a thin stalk. They are entirely benign and most commonly in skin folds — the neck, armpits, groin, under the breasts and around the eyes. They are particularly common in middle age, in pregnancy, and in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Skin tags are painless and harmless, but can catch on or jewellery, become irritated, or be bothersome. is — typically performed under local with cautery or fine . is fast and the result is .
Cherry angiomas
Cherry angiomas (also called de Morgan spots or red moles) are small, dome-shaped red or purple bumps caused by tiny of dilated blood near the skin . They between 1 and 5mm and become more common with age. Most adults will develop at least one by their 40s.
Cherry angiomas are but can catch on clothing, bleed after shaving, or cause . at Centre for Surgery uses Nd:YAG laser at 1064nm — the is absorbed by within the vessels and with minimal mark on the surrounding skin. For the full guide, see
Warts and verrucas
Warts are small, rough-surfaced growths caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). They can develop almost anywhere but are most common on the hands, feet (where they are called verrucas), and around the nails. Many resolve over months to years, but or warts often warrant .
options include cryotherapy, electrocautery, and surgical . The right choice depends on the size, location, depth and the patient’s history of previous . Recurrence is common with all techniques because the underlying virus can persist in surrounding skin — this is the nature of the condition rather than a failure of treatment.
Dermatofibromas
are firm, benign that most on the legs, particularly in women. They are usually small (5–10mm), light brown to reddish-brown, and have a characteristic dimpled appearance when the skin is pinched. They are thought to after a minor injury — sometimes an insect bite or cut — and without .
are benign but can be mistaken for other by the untrained eye. is the only definitive treatment — they don’t respond to topical or . leaves a small linear scar that fades over six to twelve months.
Xanthelasma
are yellowish, lipid-rich that develop on the — most on the upper inner aspect of the upper eyelid. They are most often associated with elevated levels, though not all patients with have lipid profiles.
at Centre for Surgery uses erbium laser for scarless surface in most cases, with surgical excision reserved for larger or deeper lesions. We also lipid screening for any patient presenting with xanthelasma, as of the cosmetic lesion is more durable when any underlying lipid is also .
Milia
Milia are tiny, cysts that under the of the skin, most around the eyes, on the cheeks, and on the . They are filled with — the same protein found in epidermoid cysts — but are much smaller Wart and verruca removal more superficial. Milia are common in (where they usually spontaneously) and in adults, where they tend to .
involves making a tiny incision in the overlying skin and extracting the keratin contents. Healing is fast and the result is excellent. Multiple milia can be in a single session.
Other common lesions
Several other minor skin lesions are commonly treated at our Baker Street clinic:
When to seek professional assessment
Most skin lumps and bumps are entirely benign and can be safely ignored if they don’t cause symptoms. Some, however, prompt professional assessment:
The ABCDE rule — Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Colour variation, Diameter, Evolution — is a useful prompt for pigmented . For full detail, see
How are skin lumps and bumps removed?
Most minor skin are under local as a procedure at our Baker Street clinic. The patient remains awake throughout, the area is fully numbed before any is made, and most patients are able to drive themselves home afterwards. Several are used depending on the type and size of the lesion:
The right is matched to the lesion, the location, the patient’s skin type, and the . We discuss the at rather than committing to a single approach in advance.
Why choose a plastic surgeon for skin lesion removal?
Many practitioners can technically remove a skin lump — GPs, and aesthetic nurses all perform minor procedures. What sets a plastic surgeon apart is the focus on the outcome of the removal, not just the itself.
Plastic surgeons are specifically trained to:
For lesions on visible areas — face, neck, hands, decolletage — this difference shows. For full discussion, see
What about the NHS?
The NHS will remove skin that are clinically suspicious for cancer or that cause documented problems. Cosmetic removal — where the lesion appears benign but the patient wishes to have it for aesthetic or peace of mind — is generally not funded.
NHS dermatology waiting times for lesion have in recent years; for benign removal, NHS is essentially unavailable. Patients who want a lump or lesion assessed and in a timeframe will need to do so . For full discussion, see
What we don’t recommend
Frequently asked questions
Most are not. Concerning features include rapid growth, change in colour or shape, irregular borders, multiple colours, bleeding or without cause, a hard texture, or any lesion appearing for the first time after the age of 40. Any of these .
Pricing on the type, number, size and location of lesions. Most small benign lesions are for a few hundred pounds; more complex cases are priced at . through Chrysalis is available.
Any procedure that breaks the skin some form of mark. For most benign lesion removals, the final scar is a fine pale line that fades to barely visible over six to twelve months. surgical technique scarring more than other approaches.
The local anaesthetic injection is the most part of the — usually only briefly. The removal itself is . Mild for one to two days afterwards is normal and well with .
Yes for most benign lesions, depending on findings. We this at the appointment and the same day where appropriate.
Every excised at Centre for Surgery is sent for histological as standard. This to all removed tissue regardless of whether the lesion looked benign clinically.
Yes — cases are assessed individually and treated where appropriate. Some lesions from being left to naturally; others are better dealt with surgically. We this carefully at consultation with the parent or guardian.
Most patients are offered a consultation within one to two weeks. Where a lesion is concerning, we can usually arrange more urgent assessment.
Centre for is a CQC-regulated plastic clinic at 95–97 Baker Street, Marylebone. All are performed by consultant plastic under local as procedures. Every specimen is sent for analysis as . For most benign lesions, same-day assessment and is available — no GP is required.
For more on specific lesions, see our cluster of in-depth guides on , , , , and our broader service.
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