Sebaceous Hyperplasia in Merchant City, Glasgow

Sebaceous hyperplasia is a benign growth of the sebaceous gland in the skin. It is common in middle-aged and elderly people, with a familial form which can present as young as the puberty.

It can also been observed in patients treated with oral steroids, on hemodialysis, and in conditions such as Torre syndrome and X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia syndrome. There are also suggestions of an association with ciclosporin, a drug commonly used after organ transplantation.

These skin lesions are usually soft, yellow, dome-shaped ‘papules’. They commonly occur on the forehead, cheeks, and nose, with most being 2–4 mm in diameter.

Dermoscopy is a non-invasive and widely used diagnostic procedure in both pigmented and non-pigmented skin lesions. Although sebaceous hyperplasia is a frequent finding especially in elderly people, it may be confused with other conditions, like early basal cell carcinomas. Sometimes, doctors need to take a biopsy to be confident about the diagnosis.

Only recently, we have found ways to be more confident in using dermoscopy to positively diagnose sebaceous hyperplasia. Bryden et al. defined ‘cumulus sign’ as a descriptive sign of sebaceous hyperplasia, resembling the cumulus clouds. This sign represents a sebum collection produced by growth of the sebaceous glands. A recent study detected this sign in 100% of patients.

It also introduced the ‘bonbon toffee sign’ as a simple and easily recognisable phrase.

Using these signs to establish a dermatoscopic diagnosis of the sebaceous hyperplasia will help minimise unnecessary biopsies.

Despite being benign, lesions can have a major cosmetic and psychological effect on patients because they are predominantly located on the face.

The treatment options include surgical excision, curettage, cryotherapy, cautery, and CO2 laser, all with associated risk of scarring and pigmentary change.

Recently, light based therapy has shown some good results, with shorter recover periods but more discomfort and higher cost.

Pulse Dye Laser (PDL) successfully treats other benign skin lesions and has been shown to be successful in treating sebaceous hyperplasia. Lesions are eliminated quickly, easily, and painlessly, leaving only a transient purplish (purpuric) effect. Treatment effect is explained by the fact the laser light is absorbed by the vascular component of the lesion, destruction of the vessels removing the nutritional support from the sebaceous hyperplasia.

Of course other non-ablative lasers will have a similar effect to PDL, when used correctly, and we can even offer the new plasma device which uses electrical (RF) energy to vaporize the lesions.

There is really no medical need to treat Sebaceous Hyperplasia and if people choose to opt for surgery then it is purely a cosmetic procedure. You can’t squeeze out Sebaceous Hyperplasia lumps because unlike spots there isn’t anything inside the bump to extract. If anything, squeezing them may cause inflammation and can cause them to bleed.

You may find some homemade remedies handy for treating Sebaceous Hyperplasia naturally, but they don’t always work. The quickest way is surgery.

Some homemade products include lemon juice, red clover extract, peppermint oil, apple cider and vinegar.

Sebaceous Hyperplasia appears as small white-yellow bumps around 3mm in diameter. In some cases, blood vessels can be visible. The bumps have a tiny central pit surrounded by small white-yellow lumps.

Sebaceous Hyperplasia is caused by enlarged sebaceous glands, which leads to a build-up of oil by overproducing sebum. There is a genetic condition called Muir-Torre syndrome that can also cause Sebaceous Hyperplasia, but that condition is rare.

As far as pricing for Sebaceous Hyperplasia treatment goes, an initial consultation costs as little as £50, with removal costs from £115. Get in touch with us today for a more detailed quote.

There is no definitive cause for Sebaceous Hyperplasia, so whether a diet can be considered a preventive measure cannot be determined. It is always advisable and wise to follow a healthy diet, good lifestyle choices and a solid skincare routine.

On the gland of your skin is a small, benign lump called a sebaceous adenoma. It is referred to as sebaceous hyperplasia when these are found in groups. These bumps often appear on the face (commonly the forehead) and are not cancerous. However, if they continue to bother you then get in touch with Ever Clinic and book in for a consultation.