Laser Removal of Skin Tags and Seborrhoeic Keratoses

What this is about

Skin tags (soft fibromas) and seborrhoeic keratoses are harmless, but often bothersome – on the neck and in the armpits, where collars and necklaces rub, on the eyelids, under the breast. With the Erbium:YAG laser they can be removed precisely and, as a rule, in a single session.

Why the Erbium:YAG laser

The laser vaporises the tissue layer by layer without appreciably heating the surrounding area – which is why it allows clean work with minimal scarring even on the eyelid, the neck and the décolleté. Alongside skin tags and seborrhoeic keratoses, we also use it to treat sebaceous gland hyperplasia, syringomas and milia. What is suitable in an individual case is something we decide after the examination.

Diagnosis comes first

We only use the laser once the diagnosis is certain: some forms of skin cancer look deceptively similar to a seborrhoeic keratosis, and tissue that has been removed in this way can no longer be examined histologically. We therefore assess every lesion dermoscopically beforehand – if any doubt remains, we do not use the laser but remove the lesion surgically and have it examined histologically.

The procedure and healing

After anaesthetic cream or a small local anaesthetic, removal takes only seconds per site, and a session covering several lesions about 15 to 30 minutes; no sutures are needed. The superficial wound crusts over and heals within seven to ten days. What matters afterwards: consistent sun protection with SPF 50 until the initially pink skin has faded.

What you should know

• As a rule one session is enough; very thick keratoses occasionally need a second
• Redness, crusting and, less often, a lighter or darker patch are possible for a time
• We do not treat where there is a fresh tan, a tendency to raised scars, or during isotretinoin therapy
• The laser removes what is there – new skin tags may develop elsewhere

Fees

Removing benign skin lesions for cosmetic reasons is a self-pay service; it is invoiced according to the GOÄ scale of fees. Without a medical indication it is subject to VAT, and the amounts are final prices including 19 % VAT. If skin tags are inflamed, bleeding or permanently irritated, a medical indication exists – we then invoice through statutory health insurance, and private health insurers usually reimburse the removal in this case. The final amount depends on the number and size of the lesions and is discussed with you beforehand.

Frequently asked questions