As we age, small-large brown, crusty, itchy lesions being to form on our face and body – these brown lesions are called seborrheic keratosis. Our cutting-edge laser technology is designed with a small pen-tip head, shaped to specifically target seborrheic keratosis without causing damage to surrounding skin tissue.
A Seborrheic Keratosis is one of the most common benign (non-cancerous) skin growths that form on the skin’s surface. As we age, seborrheic keratosis growths can invade the skin’s surface, appearing on the face, chest, shoulders or back. Seborrheic Keratosis has a waxy, scaly, slightly elevated appearance, and often range in colour from light brown to black.
First, we will clean the area to be treated and if required, topical anaesthetic may be applied. Then your keratosis lesion(s) will be removed using our laser technology.
Seborrheic Keratosis can be removed within a single treatment with the use of our latest laser technology. Typically speaking, traditional treatment methods include liquid nitrogen, acid-based chemicals and surgical removal – these traditional treatment methods often lead to unwanted scarring.
When it comes to the laser removal of seborrheic keratosis, the aesthetic outcome in generally much better when compared to other treatment methods. While some minor scarring can occur from a laser treatment, this is usually pale white and no larger than the treated area. Facial skin heals very well. In most cases, you will be unable to detect the original location of the keratosis once the treated area has healed.
Whilst most seborrheic keratosis are benign (non-cancerous), some keratosis can develop into skin cancer. Having your seborrheic keratosis checked by your practitioner trained in skin cancer detection is essential. When a seborrheic keratosis is removed by laser, the lesion is disintegrated, meaning that the seborrheic keratosis cannot be sent to pathology for testing.
Please allow 30minutes for your initial consultation. During your consultation, your skin will be assessed and a detailed treatment plan will be constructed – this will include the time allocated for your laser removal treatment.
In most cases, only once treatment is required however, we recommend that you allow for an additional touch-up appointment if required
To ensure you are comfortable, you will have the option of a topical, local or combination anaesthetic. The anaesthetic will ensure that the area is partially or wholly numb before your laser treatment.
Following your laser seborrheic Keratosis treatment, you will experience some redness, slight swelling and yellow oozing around the treated area(s) for a week to two weeks, following your treatment. In addition, a temporary scab will form; this is a natural part of the healing process.
The scab will usually fall off within seven to ten days, and it is essential to avoid touching or scratching the scab off the treated area. Scratching or picking at the scab can cause inflammation, making any scarring more prominent.
After the scab has fallen off, the treated area will appear red due to new capillary formation. Any redness around the treatment area will usually dissipate in a matter of months following treatment.
Even though you have had your seborrheic keratosis(s) assessed as being benign (cancer free) by your skin cancer practitioner, there is still a risk of skin cancer being present within your keratosis(s) at the time of your laser treatment.
The laser ablates (burns) away the seborrheic keratosis lesion, meaning that nothing is available to be sent away for pathology for further testing, so you need to be aware that pathology testing is not possible with this treatment.
Although the potential risks are extremely uncommon, one or more of the following may occur:
Following your laser treatment, you may notice redness, bleeding, bruising, swelling and weeping at the site of treatment, which can last for several days to weeks.
It is normal for the treated area to feel a little sore and tender, for a few days post treatment. You will keep the treated area dry and intact following your treatment. We will provide you with a topical cream to be used 3-4 times a day to the treated area, until the area has healed.
Please contact our clinic if you experience any inflammatory reaction and/or side effect. If necessary, additional treatments, medications and/or surgery may be necessary. If out of hours, please attend your local medical centre or emergency department.
We will arrange a follow-up appointment for six weeks post-treatment at our clinic. If at any time you have questions or concerns, you should contact our clinic to arrange a face-to-face appointment.
If required, you will be provided with topical cream, designed to be used post skin injury, that will provide nutrients to accelerate the skin healing process. In addition, we also offer Ligh Emitting Diode Treatment (LED) to accelerate the healing process.
As part of your post-treatment care plan, you will be provided with verbal and written post-treatment instructions.