Cyst removal

What is a cyst

A cyst feels like a lump or bump under the skin. The majority of cysts are sacs under the skin that fill up with skin cells and other skin products. This material is a white, cheesy substance which may have an odour.

A cyst can develop for a number of reasons. Sometimes, it is because a hair follicle gets blocked. More often, a cyst occurs because cells from the surface of the skin accidentally find themselves in the deeper layers of the skin. Here, they form a small balloon or sac. As the cells continue to exfoliate, the sac gets filled up with dead skin cells. With time the cyst can enlarge.

Other names for cysts are:

• Pilar cysts – these occur on the scalp
• Epidermoid cysts – these occur anywhere on the body
• Sebaceous cysts – these occur anywhere in the body
• Acne cysts – these occur in areas where there has been a lot of inflammation from acne. Acne cysts are not usually excised but treated with medical therapies.

A cyst does not usually have a head but may have a small punctum. This is a tiny black dot which is where the opening of the cyst is.

Are cysts cancerous?

Cysts on the skin are not cancerous and nor do they become cancer. Your doctor will usually require histological analysis of any tissue that is removed in order to fully establish that it is a cyst and nothing else. This is because some times other lumps and bumps under the skin, which could be cancerous, can mimic a cyst.

Who does cyst removal?

Cyst removal is usually carried out by a Dermatologist but may also be carried out by other with training in skin surgery procedures.

When should a cyst be removed?

There are many reasons why you might want to have a cyst removed. Some common reasons that people choose to have a cyst removal are:

• You do not like how the cyst looks.
• The cyst has grown and has become very obvious and prominent
• The cyst is catching and rubbing – for example when you brush your hair, or wear certain jewellery or clothes
• The cyst stops you from shaving comfortably
• The cyst is an awkward or sensitive area
• The cyst keeps getting swollen, red and inflamed
• The cyst is growing
• The cyst is tender to touch
• The cyst is itchy
• The cyst has ruptured
• The cyst is leaking, oozing and draining on its own
• The cyst has become inflamed
• An abscess has formed around the cyst

Cysts are simpler to remove when they are smaller. As cysts get bigger, they are more prone to causing discomfort and rupturing.

Will a cyst on the face or on the body go away on its own?

Once a cyst has developed, it will not go away on its own. This is because a cyst contains a sac that needs to be physically removed.

Facial cyst removal

Cysts commonly occur on the face. Using careful surgical techniques, facial cysts can be removed to leave excellent surgical results.
Milia cysts are very small facial cysts which can be removed without a visible scar.
Acne cysts may require medical treatment before surgical cyst removal is carried out.

Scalp cyst and and cysts on head removal

Cysts are very common on the scalp and these can be removed with minimal damage to any hair follicles. Scalp cysts can run in families. Some people may have multiple cysts on the scalp that can be treated at the same time.

Cyst removal on the body

Cysts are found anywhere on the body and they can be removed using careful surgical technique. This includes the neck, back, chest, arms and legs. Cysts can also be found on the scrotum where they can be removed.

Removal of infected cysts, painful cysts and inflamed cysts

If a cyst has become red, swollen, painful and started to discharge the the cyst may have ruptured causing inflammation and infection. The inflammation and infection is controlled first and then the cyst can be removed.

What happens during a cyst removal surgery?

A cyst is like a small balloon or sac under the skin. If the balloon is just pricked and emptied, it will fill up again. Successful cyst removal involves removal of the whole sac. This can be done safely under local anaesthetic. A small incision is made over the cyst and the balloon is “peeled” out from under the skin. The skin can then be stitched together to leave a small scar. The scar is made as minimally obvious as possible. Stitches may be absorbable or they may be removed in 7 to 10 days after surgery. If the incision is very small (minimally invasive) then a stitch may not be required.

Cyst removal using open excision method

In this method, an incision that is the length of the cyst is made and the cyst is peeled out. The incision, which is as long as the cyst, is then stitched. This leaves a scar that is the length of the cyst or very slightly longer.

Cyst removal using the wider excision method

If the cyst has been very inflamed or has become very scarred, or it is a recurrent cyst, then it is sometimes better to excise the around the whole cyst to get clearance.

What happens if I leave a cyst alone?

Cysts are not dangerous. Some cysts may grow and burst if they are left alone. When they burst, they can become painful, red and swollen and they will start leaking discharge.

Can cysts be removed without surgery?

No, cysts can not be removed without surgery.

Cyst removal consultation

Your journey for cyst removal begins with a specialist skin surgery consultation. A cyst removal consultation is an opportunity to discuss the procedure in detail with the Dermatologist who is going to be carrying out your procedure. Cyst removal can then be planned at any time that is convenient to you. A cyst removal consultation is required before surgery is carried out, if you have a single cyst or more than one cyst, a complex cyst, if the cyst has become inflamed or infected or if the cyst is in a prominent facial area.

A cyst removal consultation will also allow the doctor to establish that the lesion is indeed a cyst. Other types of skin lesions can mimic a cyst including lipomas, lymph nodes and skin tumours. Occasionally your Doctor may require you to have an ultrasound scan or additional tests.

What is the scar like following cyst removal

A scar following cyst removal depends on the technique that is used. The scar may be a few mm’s long if the punch device method is used, as long as the cyst if the open excision method is used, or 3 x as long as the cyst if the wider excision method was used.

What is the aftercare and recovery following a cyst removal?

For stitched wounds, the wound will take 10-14 days to heal. We ask you to be generally restful through this period by avoiding heavy exercise or anything strenuous. People can usually return to an office job the next day. A splash proof dressing is applied so you can still have showers. Stitches may be removed in 7 to 10 days time. Wounds which are not stitched also heal within 2 or 3 weeks (sometimes longer if there is a large cavity).

What are the risks of having a cyst removal procedure?

Risks of any surgery include the development of a scar, a small risk of infection and a small risk of bleeding. Cysts can recur in which case they can be cut out again.

How quickly can I go back to work and to sports after a cyst excision?

You can return to an office based job the next day. However we ask you to wait 14 days before considering swimming, watersports, exercise where you will sweat or will cause clothing to rub against the healing wound, heavy lifting and stretching, and using saunas and steam rooms.

How can I book a cyst removal?

If you have a cyst or multiple cysts you would like removed, you will be invited to attend for a skin surgery consultation where the problem can be evaluated by a Consultant specialist.

During a specialist skin surgery consultation, your concern will be thoroughly evaluated by a Consultant Dermatologist or Consultant Surgeon who is experienced in surgical procedures. This consultation provides an opportunity to discuss the potential benefits and risks of various treatment options, including surgery, in detail. If an operation is the way forwards, then a procedure can be scheduled for a later date. In some cases, you may also be referred for a scan to assist in planning a surgical procedure

During the consultation, we will be able to provide you with an accurate price for any future procedures or treatments you may require. You can rest assured that there will not be any obligation for you to proceed with surgery.

Other skin lesions

Did you know we also offer removal of moles, warts, seborrhoeic keratoses, skin tags, genital skin tags and milia?

What should I do next?

Contact us here and let us know more about your needs. Our fees can be reviewed here.