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The Daily Insight

Can sebaceous hyperplasia be removed?

Author

Matthew Barrera

Updated on March 29, 2026

A doctor can remove sebaceous hyperplasia bumps in a process called cryotherapy. The doctor will freeze the bumps, causing them to dry up and drop away. However, cryotherapy can potentially cause changes in skin color in the affected area.

What happens if you pick sebaceous hyperplasia?

Adults can choose to treat the bumps for cosmetic reasons or leave them be. There is no medical need to treat sebaceous hyperplasia. Squeezing sebaceous hyperplasia bumps won’t help, as there’s nothing inside that can be extracted. In fact, doing this can actually cause the bumps to become inflamed or bleed.

What is the best treatment for sebaceous hyperplasia?

Sebaceous Hyperplasia Treatment Options

  • Photodynamic therapy. With this in-office treatment, your doctor will apply a solution to your skin.
  • Electrocauterization. Another in-office treatment is electrocauterization.
  • ‌‌‌‌Laser therapy.
  • Cryotherapy.

Can dermatologist remove sebaceous hyperplasia?

Your dermatology professional may recommend removing sebaceous hyperplasia bumps with laser therapy. During treatments, the laser gently smooths the top layer of skin and removes any sebum trapped in your glands.

How long does sebaceous hyperplasia last?

Retinol needs to be applied for about two weeks to work. Sebaceous hyperplasia usually returns about a month after stopping treatment.

Does sebaceous hyperplasia grow?

Sebaceous hyperplasia typically develops in adults >40 years old, and the prevalence increases with age. The lesion usually is asymptomatic and grows slowly. Clinical examination shows a soft, yellow-white to normal-colored papule, often with central umbilication (corresponding to the sebaceous duct ostium).

Can you squeeze out a sebaceous gland?

Extraction. If a person squeezes, or “extracts,” a sebaceous filament, a white or yellow worm-like structure may ooze out. Or, the filament may not produce anything. Trying to extract sebaceous filaments can injure the skin and cause scarring.

Is laser good for sebaceous hyperplasia?

Smoothbeam® laser therapy is an effective way to treat your acne and acne scars and sebaceous hyperplasia. This gentle, safe treatment uses a laser to target overactive sebaceous glands in your skin which decreases the amount of acne.

Does retinol help sebaceous hyperplasia?

Washing your face with a cleanser that has salicylic acid or low levels of retinol can help prevent your sebaceous glands from clogging. Sebaceous hyperplasia is linked to sun exposure, so staying out of the sun as much as possible can also help prevent it.

What laser shrinks sebaceous glands?

Does sebaceous hyperplasia ever heal on its own?

Sebaceous hyperplasia won’t go away on its own . Once the bumps are there, they are generally there to stay. You can choose to treat them or leave them be. Either way is OK.

Can sebaceous hyperplasia be treated successfully?

Sebaceous hyperplasia doesn’t require treatment unless the bumps bother you. To get rid of sebaceous hyperplasia, the affected sebaceous glands need to be removed. You may have to be treated more than once to fully remove the glands.

What is sebaceous hyperplasia and how can it be treated?

Sebaceous hyperplasias are benign (harmless) and usually require no medical treatment. However, many patients find them unsightly and opt to have them removed for cosmetic reasons. What is sebaceous hyperplasia? Sebaceous hyperplasia is the growth of the sebaceous (oil) glands, which are found attached to hair follicles.

How do I treat a clogged sebaceous gland?

Warm Compress Applying moist heat to sebaceous cyst can help speed up the healing process.

  • Tea Tree Oil Blocked sebaceous gland can lead to cystic acne which can get infected.
  • Castor Oil This oil contains a chemical known as ricin which gives the oil anti-bacterial properties.