Sebaceous cyst removal in Harrogate

When draining a sebaceous cyst, the contents are removed from the cyst, however the cyst's sac (the capsule), which is responsible for producing and holding the contents, remains in the skin. This means that the area may slowly become filled again by the production of new cyst contents and the lump will reappear. The primary goal of complete excision of the cyst is to remove the entire capsule and therefore the likelihood of the cyst recurring is greatly reduced compared to simply draining it.

No. Patients are able to self refer to Kliniken for a consultation in Harrogate without needing a doctor’s referral. Contact us via our website or phone to schedule an appointment.

The procedure itself should not be painful due to the fact that the area will be completely numbed using local anaesthetic prior to any cuts being made. The discomfort of the local anaesthetic injection is usually the most unpleasant part and will feel like a short-lived "sting". Mild soreness in the area is common for 24-48 hours after the procedure, and most patients manage this with paracetamol.

Typically, sebaceous cyst removal takes anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes to complete. Larger cysts or those located in more complicated areas may require additional time. Since this is done using local anaesthesia, you will be able to leave the same day and most patients can expect their visit to last approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

Yes. All surgery creates scars and we want to be clear about that now. The incision is usually placed directly over the cyst and is typically of a similar size to the cyst itself. Initially, the scar will appear pinkish and possibly slightly raised, but over the course of 3 to 6 months, it should fade significantly to a much lighter colour and a flat line. Scalp and facial areas tend to heal very nicely, but as with anything else, the quality of the scar is influenced by many factors including your skin type, age and the area of the body where the cyst was located.

Your initial consultation with one of our consultant plastic surgeons is £105. Sebaceous cyst removal costs start at £450 for cysts on the body and £550 for cysts located on the face or scalp. The final price will be determined at your consultation based on the size and complexity of the cyst as well as its location. Histology is available at £150 and is often recommended for cysts that were previously inflamed, ruptured or otherwise unusual.

The likelihood of a sebaceous cyst growing back after proper surgical removal is low if the entire capsule is removed. The risk of recurrence is increased in cysts that have previously been infected, inflamed or ruptured as these changes can make it more difficult to remove the capsule entirely. Surgical technique plays a role here. Histological confirmation of the diagnosis may be performed after removal, but it is the complete excision of the cyst that reduces the likelihood of recurrence. While some individuals develop new cysts in other locations over time, this is considered to be a separate occurrence from the original cyst returning.

Sebaceous cysts and lipomas are two different types of lumps. Sebaceous cysts are more closely attached to the skin and contain keratin whereas lipomas are fat-based soft lumps which are located further beneath the skin layer. Sebaceous cysts are typically harder in nature than lipomas and they also have an external opening. The openings on lipomas are not always present and thus lipomas are generally softer to the touch than sebaceous cysts. At your initial consultation with your surgeon he/she will be able to assess whether you have either one or possibly both conditions and histology can be performed if required to confirm the condition identified.

If the cyst is red, hot, swollen, painful, or draining fluid, it could be infected. Removal of an infected cyst increases the chances of wound issues and possibly makes removal of the entire cyst more difficult. Most times, settling the infection first, typically using antibiotic treatment by your family doctor, is the safest initial course of action. Once settled, removal of the cyst can take place after the inflammation subsides. Kliniken can still determine the extent of the issue, confirm the likely diagnosis and provide guidance as to when to remove the cyst. DO NOT attempt to drain the cyst yourself at home.

Mostly, yes. Since sebaceous cyst removals are usually performed under local anesthesia alone, most patients are able to drive themselves home. Your surgeon will let you know if your cyst removal could cause any difficulty for you while driving based on the location of the cyst.

As Kliniken operates on a private basis, we endeavour to provide you with the shortest waiting time possible and appointments are normally available within a few days. It is unlikely you would need to wait weeks for a private minor surgery consultation. In order to receive a response as soon as possible, we recommend contacting us via telephone, email or by sending a WhatsApp message directly to us.