Skin Lumps (Warts, Moles, Skin Tags)

Skin tags are small growths that hang off your skin. They're common and harmless, but can be removed if they're bothering you, purely for cosmetic reasons.

A wart is a small growth with a rough texture that can appear anywhere on the body. It can look like a solid blister or a small cauliflower on the surface of the skin. They are best treated with cryotherapy, or freezing therapy.

A cyst is a pouch-like capsule of membranous tissue that contains fluid, air, or other substances. Cysts can grow almost anywhere in your body or under your skin.

There are many different types of cysts. Most cysts are benign, or noncancerous.

A mole is a cluster of pigmented skin cells that appear flat or raised on the surface of the skin. Most moles are harmless, but a proportion of them become malignant and develop into dangerous skin cancers.

The majority of skin lumps and bumps will be benign and not dangerous at all. That said, depending on what exact type of lump they are, they they can be extremely dangerous if allowed to develop unchecked.

We recommend seeking a professional opinion if you have a skin lump or bump on your body. If it is painful, itchy or bleeding, we suggest you do so urgently. It should also be seen urgently, if it is growing and changing size, shape and colour.

Skin lumps, bumps, tags, warts, cysts and moles can be removed from anywhere on the body.

Absolutely. The most common motivation for removing these benign blemishes is cosmetic. It is only in a minority of cases where skin cancer is suspected that they will be removed for medical reasons.

Surgical excision of skin tags, warts, and moles is not painful as it is performed under local anaesthetic. You should not feel a thing.

Cryotherapy takes between 5 and 10 seconds per treatment and is usually well tolerated. You should expect to feel a localised sensation of cooling on the surface of your skin.

Once they have formed, skin lumps and bumps are unlikely to go away on their own. If their appearance is bothering you, you will need to seek cosmetic treatment to remove them.

Surgical excision or cryotherapy will permanently remove the skin lump or bump targeted by treatment. It will not prevent new lumps and bumps appearing in new locations on the skin.

Our dermatologists and plastic surgeons are experts at managing the scarring process. Whilst there may well be a minor pink or white scar, these will typically fade with time.

Recovery time should be instant. You will be able to immediately resume daily activities in most cases.

You may be asked to wear a dressing for a few days, and the site of treatment may be a little tender.

Complications are rare.

The Cadogan Clinic is based at 120 Sloane Street in Chelsea, just off Sloane Square and the Kings Road.

Our address is 120 Sloane Street, Chelsea, London, SW1X 9BW.

We are accessible by all major bus routes that pass through Sloane Square and Sloane Street, as well as Sloane Square tube station.

Local pay parking is available just around the corner from the Clinic on Cadogan Gate, Cadogan Square and Cadogan Gardens. Our local residential parking zone is the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.