Common Skin Lumps And Bumps: A Plastic Surgeon’s Guide
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Most adults will develop a skin lump or bump at some point — and most are entirely benign. Moles, cysts, lipomas, skin tags, cherry angiomas, warts, dermatofibromas, xanthelasma, milia, seborrhoeic keratoses and a dozen other minor skin lesions are part of normal life. The question is rarely “is it dangerous?” — in the vast majority of cases it isn’t — but rather “what is it, do I need anything done about it, and if so what?”
This guide covers the most common types of skin lumps and bumps, how they differ from each other, when they need assessment, what treatment exist, and where minor sit in the wider service at Centre for Surgery’s CQC-regulated Baker Street private .
How to tell what kind of lump you have
Most skin lumps fall into a small number of distinct . Each has — feel, depth, appearance, location — that an experienced plastic can usually identify on examination alone. is rarely needed for the common benign lesions. Where any doubt exists, removal with histological analysis provides definitive diagnosis.
The most common skin lumps and bumps fall into these broad groups:
The rest of this guide covers each in turn, with characteristic features, common locations, and the typical approach we use at Centre for Surgery.
Moles
A mole — medically called a naevus — is a benign of cells. Most adults have between 10 and 40 moles, and most are entirely . New moles can appear up to around age 40; after this age, any new pigmented lesion professional review.
Moles come in many forms — flat or raised, brown or skin-coloured, smooth or slightly . What matters clinically is whether they show concerning features such as asymmetry, borders, multiple colours, a diameter greater than 6mm, or any change over time. For a full guide to distinguishing benign moles from melanoma, see
At Centre for Surgery, moles are removed by using either shave excision, formal excision, or laser removal — the right technique on the size, depth, location and clinical features of the mole. Laser mole is available for benign raised moles where laboratory is not . Every surgically mole is sent for histological analysis as . For more detail on choice, see and
Cysts
The most common skin cyst in adults is the cyst — widely to as a “sebaceous cyst”, though the two terms are not technically identical. For the precise distinction, see .
An epidermoid cyst forms when epidermal cells become beneath the skin surface, usually at a blocked hair follicle or after minor trauma. The trapped cells continue to produce keratin, which accumulates within a thin fibrous capsule, the firm, round, mobile lump characteristic of the condition. A small dark spot — the punctum — is often on the skin surface above the cyst.
Common cyst sites include the face, neck, scalp, back and chest. Cysts are usually painless but can become if the wall breaks down, producing a swollen, red, hot, tender lump. requires complete of the cyst wall — any portion behind means the cyst will reform, as in
One thing patients should never attempt: a cyst at home. The reasons — and risks — are covered in
Earlobe cysts a brief as they are particularly common in patients who have had ear piercings — see for the specific treatment .
Lipomas
A lipoma is a benign, tumour made up of mature fat cells. It develops within the subcutaneous fat layer and is enclosed within a thin fibrous capsule. Lipomas feel distinctly soft — often described as doughy or rubbery — and move freely beneath the skin when pressed. The overlying skin normal, with no feature like a cyst’s punctum.
Lipomas are the most common soft tissue tumour in adults, affecting approximately one in every hundred people. They most often on the shoulders, upper back, neck, upper arms and thighs. Most are solitary, but some patients develop (a called lipomatosis).
Telling a lipoma apart from a cyst is one of the most common diagnostic questions at our clinic — the full is in .
at Centre for Surgery is performed under local as a day-case procedure. For most patients, surgical excision is the appropriate technique — see and for and detail. For patients with lipomas, in one session is available. Recurrence after complete is uncommon, as discussed in
Skin tags
Skin tags are small, soft, fleshy that hang from the skin on a thin stalk. They are entirely benign and develop most in skin folds — the neck, armpits, groin, under the and around the eyes. They are particularly common in middle age, in pregnancy, and in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Skin tags are painless and harmless, but can catch on clothing or jewellery, become irritated, or be bothersome. is — typically performed under local with cautery or fine excision. is fast and the cosmetic result is excellent.
Cherry angiomas
Cherry (also called de Morgan spots or red moles) are small, dome-shaped red or purple bumps caused by tiny of dilated blood near the skin . They between 1 and 5mm and become more common with age. Most adults will develop at least one by their 40s.
Cherry are harmless but can catch on clothing, bleed after shaving, or cause concern. at Centre for uses Nd:YAG laser at 1064nm — the wavelength is by haemoglobin within the and clearance with minimal mark on the surrounding skin. For the full guide, see
Warts and verrucas
Warts are small, rough-surfaced caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). They can develop almost anywhere but are most common on the hands, feet (where they are called verrucas), and around the nails. Many resolve spontaneously over months to years, but or warts often warrant .
include cryotherapy, electrocautery, and surgical excision. The right choice on the size, location, depth and the patient’s history of previous . is common with all techniques because the underlying virus can persist in skin — this is the nature of the rather than a of treatment.
Dermatofibromas
are firm, benign that most develop on the legs, particularly in women. They are usually small (5–10mm), light brown to reddish-brown, and have a characteristic dimpled appearance when the surrounding skin is pinched. They are thought to after a minor injury — sometimes an insect bite or cut — and persist indefinitely without .
Dermatofibromas are benign but can be mistaken for other by the untrained eye. Surgical is the only definitive — they don’t respond to topical treatment or . leaves a small linear scar that fades over six to twelve months.
Xanthelasma
Xanthelasma are yellowish, plaques that on the — most commonly on the upper inner aspect of the upper eyelid. They are most often associated with cholesterol levels, though not all patients with xanthelasma have abnormal lipid .
at Centre for uses erbium laser for scarless surface in most cases, with surgical excision reserved for larger or deeper . We also lipid for any presenting with xanthelasma, as treatment of the lesion is more durable when any lipid is also .
Milia are tiny, pearly-white cysts that under the surface of the skin, most commonly around the eyes, on the cheeks, and on the forehead. They are filled with — the same protein found in epidermoid cysts — but are much smaller and more . Milia are common in newborns (where they usually resolve spontaneously) and in adults, where they tend to persist.
making a tiny in the skin and extracting the keratin contents. Healing is fast and the result is excellent. milia can be in a single session.
Other common lesions
Several other minor skin are at our Baker Street clinic:
When to seek professional assessment
Most skin lumps and bumps are entirely benign and can be safely ignored if they don’t cause symptoms. Some, however, warrant prompt assessment:
The ABCDE rule — Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Colour variation, Diameter, — is a useful self-examination prompt for pigmented . For full detail, see
How are skin lumps and bumps removed?
Most minor skin lesions are removed under local as a day-case at our Baker Street clinic. The patient remains awake throughout, the treatment area is fully numbed before any is made, and most patients are able to drive themselves home afterwards. Several techniques are used depending on the type and size of the lesion:
The right technique is matched to the lesion, the location, the patient’s skin type, and the objective. We discuss the at consultation rather than committing to a single in advance.
Why choose a plastic surgeon for skin lesion removal?
Many can technically remove a skin lump — GPs, dermatologists and nurses all minor procedures. What sets a plastic apart is the focus on the cosmetic outcome of the removal, not just the removal itself.
surgeons are specifically trained to:
For on areas — face, neck, hands, decolletage — this shows. For full discussion, see
What about the NHS?
The NHS will remove skin that are clinically for cancer or that cause documented functional problems. removal — where the lesion appears benign but the wishes to have it removed for aesthetic reasons or peace of mind — is generally not funded.
NHS dermatology waiting times for lesion assessment have lengthened in recent years; for benign cosmetic removal, NHS is essentially unavailable. Patients who want a lump or lesion assessed and in a timeframe will need to do so privately. For full discussion, see
What we don’t recommend
Frequently asked questions
Most are not. Concerning include rapid growth, change in colour or shape, irregular borders, colours, or itching without cause, a hard texture, or any lesion appearing for the first time after the age of 40. Any of these professional assessment.
Pricing on the type, number, size and location of . Most small benign lesions are removed for a few hundred pounds; more cases are priced at . through Chrysalis Finance is available.
Any that breaks the skin some form of mark. For most benign lesion removals, the final scar is a fine pale line that fades to barely visible over six to twelve months. Plastic surgical technique minimises scarring more than other approaches.
The local anaesthetic is the most uncomfortable part of the procedure — usually only briefly. The itself is painless. Mild for one to two days afterwards is normal and well managed with paracetamol.
Yes for most benign lesions, depending on . We this at the initial and the same day where appropriate.
Every surgically specimen at Centre for Surgery is sent for analysis as . This to all removed tissue regardless of whether the lesion looked benign clinically.
Yes — paediatric cases are individually and treated where appropriate. Some lesions benefit from being left to naturally; others are better dealt with surgically. We discuss this carefully at consultation with the parent or guardian.
Most are offered a within one to two weeks. Where a lesion is clinically concerning, we can usually more urgent .
Centre for is a CQC-regulated plastic surgery clinic at 95–97 Baker Street, Marylebone. All are performed by consultant surgeons under local as day-case procedures. Every excised specimen is sent for analysis as standard. For most benign lesions, same-day and removal is available — no GP is .
For more on specific lesions, see our cluster of in-depth guides on , , , , and our broader service.
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