This consists of hyper pigmented areas of the skin that are flat with a well-defined border. This condition has many subtypes, one of the most common being Solar Lentigines. These develop in areas exposed to the sun, commonly termed “age spots.” Darker “ink spot” lentigines often present in Celtic skin, surrounded by lentigines.
These are very common ‘warty’ type spots that appear in adult life as a part of skin ageing. Many people will have at least one by the time they are 30, and some will go on to develop hundreds of them. In fact, over 90% of adults over aged 60 will have one or more. The cause of these is unknown but some people do inherit a tendency to develop multiple lesions. These can occasionally arise from a solar lentigo, and an eruptive pattern is also seen after sunburn or dermatitis. There are multiple subtypes and colours of Seborrheic Keratosis. These can very easily be removed as they sit superficially on the skin surface.
Also known as Acrochordon or fibroepithelial polyp when larger. These are harmless growths of the skin that appear with age. They tend to occur more frequently in skin folds and are more common in obese individuals or those with Type II Diabetes. The cause is junk now but chafing and rubbing in addition to insulin resistance may play a role.
Cysts grow under the skin are encapsulated, containing fluid or debris. These can be firm or soft and will raise the overlying skin. and can appear unsightly and sometime be tender or painful depending on their location, and if inflamed. These can be surgically excised or drained. Epidermoid cysts occur due to a proliferation of superficial calls within the lower layer of the skin. These tend to be twice as common in men as women and will often have a central pore (punctum). Trichilemmal cysts (also known as Pilar cysts, tend to occur on the scalp.
A Lipoma is a very common non-cancerous growth that consists of fat cells that grow under the skin. The cause of these is unknown however a genetic element is suspected, as many people with lipomas have a family history of affected relatives. Occasionally trauma to an area of the body can trigger the evolution of a Lipoma. These tend to be dome shaped, soft and do not have a central ‘punctum’ like cysts. They are common on the trunk, arms, shoulders and neck. These can be removed by surgical excision, or by manipulation and squeezing through a small incision.
These are very common benign skin growths often found in the lower legs and tend to be round brown-purple colour. They feel like a small nodule within the skin. And contain scar-like tissue. Although the cause is unknown, ether is often a history of minor trauma, and it is suspected that this causes a reaction in between the two lanes of the skin. The overlying skin tends to dimple when the lesion is pinched. Occasionally these can be itchy or appear unsightly and can be excised.
This appears as small flesh or yellow coloured bumps on the forehead or cheeks of older people, 2-3mm in size. These are hair follicle tumours that are benign. These are harmless and do not require any action but can sometimes be extensive in which case they can easily be treated with Plasma sublimation or Radiosurgery with minimal or no scarring at all.