The Benefits
1. If removing the cyst for cosmetic reasons, removal can restore your confidence and enhance your appearance.
2. Patients can rest assured that once removed, the cyst will not return unless it is cancerous, and tests can be done to ensure peace of mind.
3. The removal is minimally invasive with minimal stitches.
4. In some cases, sebaceous cysts can cause patients moderate discomfort, and removal can help improve their quality of life.
5. Most patients recover fully with no scarring or very minimal scarring.
6. There is no downtime, and patients may continue their day normally afterwards.
How it works
What causes sebaceous cysts?
Sebacious cysts are basically formed from your abnormal sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands are responsible for producing an oil called sebum which coats the skin and hair.
If the gland or the duct becomes blocked, the oil is not able to exit the gland. This often happens when the area is subjected to trauma such as a scratch or if you suffer from an acne condition.
Other causes of sebaceous cysts are; genetic conditions and deformed or misshapen ducts.
What are the symptoms of sebaceous cysts?
Sebaceous cysts are usually not painful. However, when the cysts become larger they can be considerably painful.
Cysts are soft to the touch and are typically filled with keratin which presents as white flakes. As mentioned before, sebaceous cysts usually occur on the face, scalp. back and neck.
Sebaceous cysts may be cancerous and the signs to look out for include; a diameter greater than five centimetres, signs of infection, and reoccurrence after the cyst has been removed.
How is a sebaceous cyst discovered?
There is a combination of tests that can be conducted to determine if there is a sebaceous cyst present, including:
- Physical examination
- An ultrasound
- A biopsy test –may be required if the cyst is believed to be potentially cancerous.
Do you need to remove sebaceous cysts?
Normally, sebaceous cysts grow at a very slow rate and do notcause any pain.
However on occasions, they can become infected and inflamed.The overlying skin then becomes red, sore and tender.
Sebaceous cysts can become irritated when they occur at sites that get constantly rubbed. This often happens in the neck region where your collar continually rubs the skin.
In these cases, treatment is important to help reduce discomfort.
Many people may also choose to have sebaceous cysts removed for cosmetic reasons, especially when they occur on the face.
If a sebaceous cyst does not cause you any problems or does not look bad cosmetically, then you probably don’t need to have any treatment.
How are sebaceous cysts treated?
There are two option for treating sebaceous cysts. They can either be removed surgically or drained.
Sebaceous Cysts are normally removed surgically because of cosmetic reasons and also because drainage of the cyst usually results in the cyst returning at a later stage.
After the cyst is removed, it is usual to be given an antibiotic ointment to prevent any infection from occurring. A scar cream may also be recommended to help reduce the appearance of scarring from the surgery.
Within about a week, the muscle relaxant will have taken full effect, blocking signals to the sweat glands. You should see a noticeable reduction in sweat by this time. Patients should note that it is common to experience a substantial reduction, rather than complete elimination, of sweating.
The results of this treatment last for 6-8 months. Many patients return for repeat injections in order to maintain its effects.
Are there any complications or risks that can happen?
Every cosmetic and medical procedure has associated risks or complications that can potentially occur, and patients should be mindful of these before choosing a treatment. Sebaceous cyst removal has the following risks:
- Bleeding
- Infection of the surgical site
- Pain
- Poor scarring
- Poor wound healing
- Allergic reactions to materials or medication
- A cyst or a lipoma may reoccur
- Nerve damage
Following your aftercare instructions post-treatment will help minimise these risks or complications. However, if a cyst does return, more extensive surgery or medical treatments might be required, and patients should be aware of this.
The Doctor
Dr Rahma Targett
Dr Rahma Targett is a General Practitioner(FRACGP), with a specialty in Cosmetic Medicine. She founded Advanced Cosmetic Medicine in 2016 and has since become well known as a trusted and in demand Cosmetic Physician in Adelaide. She has a Diploma in Dermoscopy and a Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine with the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine. Dr Targett is a leader in her field and regularly attends Cosmetic conferences to keep up to date with modern aesthetic techniques. At advanced Cosmetic Medicine you can always be reassured that you will be welcomed and treated personally by Dr Rahma Targett.
Sebaceous cysts are rarely cancerous
– If left untreated the cysts may become very large and painful, eventually requiring surgical removal.
– If the cyst is surgically removed it is unlikely that it will return in the future.
– After surgery, it is possible the wound may become infected. Always return to see your doctor if there are any signs of infection so that antibiotics may be prescribed as soon as possible.
A Sebaceous cysts may become infected.
If the Sebaceous cyst ruptures, it can lead to a boil-like infection. This will need treatment immediately.
In most cases, there are no complications or side effects that occur after treatment to drain or remove the cysts surgically.
Under no circumstances should you pop or squeeze a cyst. This may cause them to become inflamed, get infected or even grow bigger.
If your sebaceous cyst is inflamed and causing you discomfort, you should definitely see a doctor.
Before you see your doctor, take note of any;
- Recent skin injuries
- When you first noticed the cyst
- If you have had others
- If you have a family history of sebaceous cysts.
Each cyst will usually take about fifteen minutes to remove, depending on it’s size and location.
Sebaceous cysts rarely go away by themselves.
Cysts left untreated can become very large and may eventually require surgical removal if they become uncomfortable.
If you have a complete surgical removal, the cyst will most likely not return in the future.
Sebaceous cysts are not cancerous and are not life-threatening.
It is however important to have your doctor correctly diagnose your cyst as being a sebaceous cyst. Some cysts can be cancerous.
No, sexually transmitted diseases do not cause sebaceous cysts.
In the past, pilar and epidermoid cysts were wrongly known as ‘sebaceous’ cysts. The term “sebaceous cyst” should be used only for a quite different and much less common type of cyst that is filled with a clear oily liquid made by sebaceous (grease) glands.
Cysts are closed sacs that have two main features:
- A lining
- Contents that are liquid or semi-solid
Differences between the lining of epidermoid and pilar cysts can be seen under the microscope:
- The lining of an epidermoid cyst looks like the epidermis (the outermost layer of cells in the skin)
- The lining of a pilar cyst is made up of cells like those found in the roots of hairs
The contents of both types of cyst are similar; a cheesy material, looking rather like toothpaste. This is made of soggy keratin – the material that makes up hair and the outer layer of the skin.