Skin & Complexion
Common non-cancerous skin growths that should be accurately identified before any cosmetic treatment or removal.
Physician-led assessment · individualized care · Vancouver clinic
Understanding Skin Tags, Benign Lesions & Warts
A little bump that catches on your collar, a rough spot on your hand that won't budge, a waxy patch that seems to have appeared out of nowhere. Most of us collect a few of these over the years, and nearly all of them are harmless.
Skin tags, warts, seborrheic keratoses and enlarged oil glands are all non-cancerous, but a few early skin cancers and pre-cancers can look surprisingly similar. That's why our approach is simple: we confirm what a growth is first, then treat it. You get peace of mind, and the removal itself is usually quick.
Related Presentations
These focused pages explain different patterns within this concern.
Causes and Contributing Factors
Benign skin growths arise for different reasons. Skin tags are linked to friction and are more common with age and in skin folds. Warts are caused by human papillomavirus. Seborrheic keratoses and moles reflect changes in skin cells that are common with age and sun exposure. Sun damage, genetics, hormonal changes and irritation can all contribute. Because the causes and behaviour differ, naming each growth correctly matters.
Signs and Symptoms
Benign growths vary widely in appearance. Features that are often reassuring include:
Features that call for a proper check include rapid change, irregular or uneven colour, bleeding, itching, a sore that doesn't heal, or a new or unusual growth.
Assessment
At your consultation, our physicians look at each growth's appearance and location, how long you've had it and whether it has changed, and ask about your sun exposure and any history of skin cancer. A close look with a dermatoscope helps tell harmless spots from ones that need more attention, and if there's any doubt we may suggest a biopsy. Then we plan around how many growths you'd like treated, where they are, your timing and your budget.
Cosmetic consultations are complimentary.
Prevention and Ongoing Care
Daily broad-spectrum sun protection is the most helpful habit for keeping new sun-related spots to a minimum. Keeping skin folds dry and comfortable reduces friction, and a gentle, hydrating routine keeps irritated skin calm between visits. Our team can recommend products from our online shop that suit your skin.
Treatment Options
These are some of the options connected to this concern. The appropriate plan depends on assessment, suitability, and your goals.
Our physicians treat selected benign skin lesions in clinic. Once a growth is confirmed benign, you can simply keep an eye on it, or have it removed with our minor skin-lesion treatment, using tools such as the Secret PRO Surgi handpiece where it suits the spot. Anything that looks suspicious is directed to the right medical care first.
For the fuller picture, explore the treatment pages above or discuss the options during a consultation.
Medical Assessment
A growth should be medically assessed if it changes in size, shape or colour, bleeds, itches, crusts or doesn't heal, or if it looks different from your other spots. New growths in adulthood, especially on sun-exposed skin or if you've had skin cancer before, also deserve a check before any cosmetic removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some pre-cancerous and cancerous spots can look like harmless growths, so naming a growth first makes sure it's treated the right way. Once one of our physicians has confirmed it's benign, you can choose removal with confidence.
Some can. Warts in particular may return because the virus can persist, and new benign growths can develop over time. We'll explain what to expect for your specific type of growth at your consultation.
Most removals are quick and done in the clinic once the diagnosis is confirmed. The method, any recovery time and the cost depend on the type of growth, how many you'd like treated and where they are. We go through each of these with you before you decide.
Physician Assessment
An assessment can help clarify what may be contributing, which options may be appropriate, and what a reasonable next step could look like for you.
Visit Our Clinic
Anti-Aging Medical & Laser Clinic combines medical assessment, individualized planning, physician oversight, and a broad range of treatment options in its Vancouver clinic.
Bring your questions, treatment history, and goals. Your provider can help you understand appropriate options, expected recovery, and realistic outcomes.
Make an Appointment
Use our consultation form below and the clinic can guide you toward the appropriate starting point.
