Most skin growths are harmless, but some can change over time or look similar to skin cancer and need medical evaluation. That’s why it’s important to have new or changing growths checked by a board-certified dermatologist.
Skin growths happen when skin cells grow or build up in one area. They can show us as:
Most skin growths are benign, which means they are not cancerous. Others can look unusual or suspicious, so it’s important to get them checked to rule out abnormal skin growths or other, more serious concerns.
When needed, we offer safe and effective skin biopsies, diagnostic services, and removals to give you the answers you need and the peace of mind you deserve.
If a growth is connected to a larger skin condition, we may also evaluate it as part of your overall care for other skin conditions or concerns about precancers and skin cancers.
Skin growths can form for many reasons. Common causes include:
Some growths appear slowly over time, while others can appear more quickly. A professional total body skin exam can help you understand what is happening with your skin and identify any problem areas.
You should get any suspicious skin growth, mole or lesion checked if you notice:
Dermatologists often use something called the ABCDE method to check spots on the skin:
If a growth fits one or more of these signs, it should be evaluated.
Some skin growths become irritated from clothing, shaving or rubbing. Others may grow faster than expected. If a growth exhibits one or more of the following, get it examined by a board-certified dermatologist right away:
Below is a full list of common skin growths we evaluate and treat. We will explain your treatment options in simple terms and if needed, offer safe and effective options, including removal, when appropriate.
Every skin growth is evaluated carefully so you understand what it is and whether treatment is needed. If you notice a new or changing growth, schedule an exam with our team for a professional evaluation.
Venous lakes are bluish, purplish, vascular papules that occur on sun exposed areas such as
Skin tags are very common, benign, skin growths. They present as fleshy outgrowths of the
Seborrheic keratoses are very common skin growths that tend to develop with age. They are
Sebaceous hyperplasia are benign, non-worrisome, enlarged oil gland growths. They present as pinkish orange or
Pyogenic granulomas are benign vascular growths that grow rapidly and frequently present as raised, red
A neurofibroma is a benign, non-cancerous, nerve tumor that presents as a soft, flesh colored,
A mole, also known as a nevus (plural: nevi), is a very common skin growth.
Lipomas are common fatty tumors that present as soft or rubbery, lumps or bumps underneath
A lentigo is a benign skin growth that resembles a freckle. It is usually a
Keloids are thick, firm, hard growths that occur as a result of excessive scar tissue
An infantile hemangioma is a kind of vascular tumor made up of blood vessels, commonly
A hypertrophic scar is a thickened, raised, oftentimes pink or red scar. Hypertrophic scars can
Dermatofibromas are common, benign skin growths most typically found on legs of women. They present
Cysts are one of the most common benign skin growths. A cyst consists of a
Cherry angiomas are benign, non worrisome, vascular growths which typically appear in adults over the
The first step to examining skin growths is a visual skin exam.
Our board-certified dermatologists look at the growth closely. We often use a special magnifying tool called a dermoscope. This tool helps us see details that are not visible to the naked eye.
We take time to listen to your concerns and review your skin carefully. This approach ensures we connect the dots between your symptoms and what we see on your skin.
Sometimes it can be difficult to diagnose a skin growth just by looking at it. If that happens, we may recommend a skin biopsy. A biopsy means we remove a small piece of the growth (or sometimes the entire growth) and send it to a laboratory for further testing and identification.
If we move forward with a complete removal, we proceed with care and attention to appearance.
Before testing or removal, we will review your costs and coverage. Most medically necessary skin growth removal and diagnostic testing may be covered by insurance. Our team can review your benefits and explain your coverage before treatment, so you understand your options and out-of-pocket expenses.
Yes. Most skin growths (e.g., skin tags, moles, seborrheic keratoses, lipomas and cherry angiomas) are not cancerous. However, we recommend having any new or changing skin growth checked as soon as possible.
No. We only recommend removal if:
We carefully review your treatment options and help you decide what makes sense for your skin and goals.
Some skin cancers (e.g., basal cell carcinoma) grow slowly and rarely spread when treated early. Other types of skin cancer, like melanoma, can spread if not found quickly. Early detection through regular skin evaluations can improve outcomes.
