Seborrheic Keratosis in Korea: Symptoms and Treatment Guide
Seborrheic Keratosis in Korea: Symptoms and Treatment Guide
A waxy, slightly raised spot that looks almost like a drop of candle wax stuck to the skin is one of the most common growths dermatologists see, especially after middle age. Seborrheic keratosis is entirely benign, extremely common, and often mistaken for something more concerning, which is exactly why a proper evaluation is worth getting even for a growth that turns out to be nothing to worry about.
This guide covers what seborrheic keratosis looks like, why it develops, when it's worth having removed, and what treatment involves at dermatology clinics in Busan.
What Is Seborrheic Keratosis?
Seborrheic keratosis is a benign skin growth made up of an overgrowth of keratinocytes, the same type of cell that makes up the outer layer of skin. It's one of the most common skin growths in adults, particularly middle-aged and older individuals, with most people developing at least one at some point, and many developing dozens over a lifetime.
Despite sometimes looking wart-like, seborrheic keratosis is not caused by a virus and is not contagious, unlike actual warts.
Symptoms and Appearance
- Round or oval growths with a "stuck-on" appearance, as though pasted onto the skin's surface
- A waxy, rough, or slightly scaly surface texture
- Colors ranging from light tan to brown or black
- Size varying from a few millimeters to over an inch across
- Growths that can be flat or noticeably raised
- Most commonly appearing on the face, chest, shoulders, and back
- Can appear singly or in large numbers, though they don't appear on the palms or soles
Many seborrheic keratoses cause no discomfort at all and are only noticed during a routine skin check. Others can become itchy or irritated, particularly if they're in a spot that rubs against clothing or jewelry.
What Causes Seborrheic Keratosis?
The exact cause isn't fully understood, but several contributing factors are recognized:
- Age, since these growths become significantly more common after 40 and increasingly common with each subsequent decade
- Genetics, since a family history of seborrheic keratosis is common among people who develop multiple growths
- Sun exposure, which may play some role, though seborrheic keratosis can also appear on skin with minimal sun exposure
- Skin friction, since growths sometimes appear in areas of repeated rubbing
Seborrheic Keratosis vs. Actinic Keratosis
These two conditions share a similar name and can sometimes look alike, but they're quite different in what they mean medically. Both tend to appear after age 40 and can have a scaly texture, but actinic keratosis is caused specifically by cumulative sun damage and carries a small but real risk of progressing to squamous cell carcinoma over time, whereas seborrheic keratosis carries no such risk. Actinic keratosis also tends to feel rougher and flatter, often noticeable by touch before it's obviously visible, while seborrheic keratosis typically has more of a raised, waxy, "stuck-on" quality. Because the two can be difficult to tell apart with confidence, a dermatologist's evaluation — sometimes including a biopsy — is often the most reliable way to distinguish them.
When Is a Biopsy Needed?
Most seborrheic keratoses are diagnosed through visual examination and dermoscopy alone. However, a dermatologist may recommend a biopsy if a growth is bleeding, growing rapidly, changing in color or shape, or otherwise doesn't look entirely typical, since these features can occasionally indicate a different, potentially malignant growth requiring a different treatment approach. Multiple new growths appearing suddenly can also prompt further evaluation in some cases.
Do You Need Treatment?
Since seborrheic keratosis is benign, treatment is generally not medically necessary. Most people choose to have a growth removed for cosmetic reasons, because it's frequently irritated by clothing or jewelry, or simply because they find it bothersome. It's worth seeing a dermatologist rather than attempting to remove a growth yourself, both to confirm the diagnosis and to avoid a risk of infection or scarring from improper removal.
Treatment and Removal Options
Cryotherapy
Liquid nitrogen is applied to freeze the growth, causing it to fall off within days to a few weeks. This is a commonly used option when the diagnosis is clear-cut and there's no need to preserve tissue for biopsy. A possible side effect is temporary or, less commonly, permanent lightening of the treated skin.
Curettage and Electrodessication
After numbing the area, the growth is scraped away using a surgical instrument called a curette, sometimes combined with an electric current to help remove remaining tissue and control bleeding. This method carries a generally low risk of scarring.
Laser Treatment
Certain laser devices can be used to remove seborrheic keratosis, particularly for growths in more visible or cosmetically sensitive areas, offering precise removal with a relatively short recovery period.
Topical Prescription Treatment
A prescription topical solution containing a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide is available for in-clinic application, and some growths may need a second treatment after a few weeks if they don't fully resolve the first time.
What to Expect After Removal
Most removal methods involve a healing period of a few weeks, during which a scab forms and eventually falls away on its own. Seborrheic keratosis generally doesn't return in the exact same spot once removed, though new growths can develop elsewhere over time, since the underlying tendency to form them doesn't go away. All removal methods carry some risk of leaving a lighter or darker mark at the treated site, which can be more noticeable in darker skin tones, though outright scarring is uncommon with standard techniques since these growths sit on the skin's surface rather than extending deep into it.
When to See a Dermatologist
- A growth that's bleeding, rapidly growing, or changing in color or shape
- Multiple new growths appearing suddenly over a short period
- A growth that looks unusual or doesn't match the typical "stuck-on," waxy appearance
- Persistent irritation, itching, or discomfort from a growth rubbing against clothing
- Uncertainty about whether a growth is seborrheic keratosis or something else, including actinic keratosis
Tips for International Patients
- Bring photos if a growth has changed noticeably in size, color, or texture over time
- Ask your dermatologist to confirm the diagnosis before choosing a removal method, particularly if the growth looks in any way atypical
- If cosmetic appearance is a concern, discuss which removal method carries the lowest risk of a lasting color change for your specific skin tone
- Avoid attempting to remove a growth at home, since this carries a risk of infection and scarring
- Ask about expected healing time if you have an upcoming event or trip, since most methods involve a multi-week healing period
Frequently Asked Questions
Is seborrheic keratosis dangerous?
No. It's a completely benign growth with no risk of turning into skin cancer. Removal is generally elective and based on cosmetic preference or physical irritation rather than medical necessity.
Is seborrheic keratosis contagious?
No. Despite sometimes looking wart-like, it's not caused by a virus and cannot be spread to others.
How can I tell if it's seborrheic keratosis or something more serious?
Appearance alone isn't always reliable, especially when distinguishing it from actinic keratosis or, less commonly, other more serious growths. A dermatologist's examination, sometimes with a biopsy, is the most reliable way to confirm the diagnosis.
Will it grow back after removal?
Generally not in the exact same spot, though new seborrheic keratoses can develop elsewhere over time, since the tendency to form them doesn't go away with removal of an individual growth.
Does removal leave a scar?
Outright scarring is uncommon with standard removal techniques, though a temporarily or occasionally permanently lighter or darker mark at the treated site is possible, and can be more noticeable in darker skin tones.
Do I need to remove every seborrheic keratosis I have?
No. Removal is elective and based on your own preference, comfort, and whether a particular growth is causing irritation, unless a dermatologist identifies a specific growth that looks atypical and warrants closer evaluation.
Conclusion
Seborrheic keratosis is a common, harmless skin growth that many people develop with age, though its resemblance to more concerning conditions like actinic keratosis makes a proper dermatology evaluation worthwhile, even for a growth you're fairly confident is benign. Dermatology clinics in Busan offer a range of removal options for those who want a growth treated for cosmetic or comfort reasons, alongside the diagnostic tools needed to confirm exactly what you're dealing with in the first place.
