Seborrheic keratosis treatment

Seborrheic keratosis is not a precancerous lesion, it never progresses to skin cancer .

Areas rich in sebum are those affected by seborrheic keratosis, namely the face, décolleté and back in particular, but also friction areas such as the neck and the crease under the bra .

Clinically, a seborrhoeic keratosis lesion presents as a raised mass, well limited, with a verrucous surface and whose size does not usually exceed 1 cm. The color of a seborrheic keratosis is beige or even brown .

Currently, we identify the role of sun exposure in the appearance of seborrheic keratosis.

In most cases, the lesions do not disappear spontaneously. Their unsightly, pruritic (which causes itching), and irritant nature in the areas of friction motivates consultation in dermatology.

Treatment of seborrheic keratosis may involve cryotherapy , i.e. cold treatment using liquid nitrogen . In addition, you should know that this therapeutic method presents a risk of a hypopigmented scar .

If cryotherapy fails or according to the preferences of each patient, it is possible to use the Co2 laser, the solution of choice at Clinique Skin Marceau. Laser treatment of seborrheic keratosis has the advantage of leaving no scars.

The confirmation of the diagnosis of seborrheic keratosis is carried out during a clinical examination carried out by your dermatologist in Paris . We look for any possible contraindications to laser treatment:

• A tanned skin cannot be treated by laser at the risk of significant burns. Artificial tanning and sun exposure are therefore prohibited before your treatment.
• If you suffer from a skin infection in the area to be treated, the treatment must be carried out upstream and the laser delayed.
• Photosensitizing drugs contraindicate laser treatment.

Do not hesitate to communicate to us any medical history and medication taken.

Under local anesthesia , a high energy laser beam will allow targeted vaporization of the lesion. Depending on the dimensions of the lesion to be treated, the duration of the session varies from 10 to 30 minutes. If the scale of sensitivity differs depending on the person, this treatment is most often described as being more unpleasant than painful, similar to a tingling. The necessary sessions protocol depends on the number of lesions, the sessions are spaced one month apart.

After the session, the treated skin surface turns slightly brown and fine scabs will appear for the first few days. Applying a healing cream speeds healing.

Exposure to heat sources such as the hammam and the sauna should be avoided. The crusts should not be torn off, they will indeed fall off on their own.

After the crusts disappear, it is quite normal that the spots are still visible for a while.

The laser treatment gives satisfactory results with a disappearance of the spots, but also of the itching and irritation, hence the relief of the patient.

Daily photoprotection is essential in order not to cause the reappearance of seborrheic keratosis.

The prices for laser treatment of seborrheic keratosis at Skin Marceau are available in the table below: