Benign skin growths | Identifying and Treatment

Hi there. Have you ever caught yourself thinking: “What is this strange little thing on my skin?” Maybe it’s a tiny white bump under your eye that looks like a pearl. Or a soft skin growth on your neck that didn’t seem as noticeable before. Trust me, you’re not alone. That kind of question comes up a lot. And it’s completely normal — our bodies love to surprise us with things that can seem a little scary at first.

Today I want to talk to you about skin growths — what they might be, where they come from, whether or not you should worry, and when it’s time to see a doctor. Think of this video as our cozy little chat, where you get a ton of helpful info and as little stress as possible.

Let’s start with those tiny white bumps that often show up on the cheeks and around the eyes. Milia. They’re not blackheads, and they’re not pimples. They’re small cysts filled with keratin — the protein that makes up the top layer of our skin. They can appear on anyone — babies, teens, adults. But they’re especially common in people who use heavy creams or makeup, or those with drier skin.

There are two types of milia: primary milia, which show up without a clear reason, and secondary milia, which develop after burns, peels, skin trauma, or inflammation.

Even though they’re totally harmless, many people are bothered by how they look. Removal is done in a dermatologist’s office: with a sterile needle and gentle pressure, with electrocautery, or laser. Sometimes, a fractional laser is used, especially when there are multiple milia. 

And please, don’t try to pop them yourself — that can lead to infection, scarring, or even more serious issues.

Here’s a little tip: using retinol helps renew your skin and can prevent milia from coming back. Just be patient — results usually show up after 3 to 6 months.

At home, focus on gentle cleansing with no scrubbing, double cleansing to remove makeup, and staying away from pore-clogging products — especially those with lanolin, petrolatum, dimethicone, waxes, or shea butter. Keep in mind, trying to remove milia on your own can lead to infections or scarring. They can also be a sign of either too much exfoliation or not enough. Also, avoid rubbing your skin — don’t scrub under your eyes or use harsh exfoliants.

Now let’s talk about papillomas — also called skin tags.

These are soft little growths, with or without a stalk, often found on the neck, armpits, groin, under the breasts, and around the eyelids. They tend to show up in areas where the skin rubs together — in people who are overweight, have insulin resistance, or are pregnant. Genetics and hormone changes also play a role.

Most of the time, people notice them by accident — on their neck, underarms, or under the breasts. Sometimes they’re soft and moveable, other times more firm. In most cases, they’re benign and not dangerous.

They might not bother you for years, but if they get inflamed, snag on clothing, or start bleeding — it’s time to take action. The best option is to have them removed by a dermatologist using laser, radiofrequency, or electrocautery. For delicate areas like the eyelids, gentler methods are preferred to avoid scarring.

Important note: what looks like a papilloma might actually be something else — like a wart or even something malignant. That’s why it’s so important to see a doctor before removal.

Now onto syringomas — the little “bumps” under the eyes.

These firm, pale bumps are often confused with milia, but they’re actually enlarged sweat gland ducts. They almost always show up under the eyes — and yes, they’re tricky to get rid of.

Removing syringomas isn’t simple. They sit deep under the skin, and aggressive treatments can leave scars. That’s why dermatologists usually use gentle laser or radiofrequency. Sometimes it’s best to leave them alone — especially if they’re small and not bothersome.

But if they are, treatment usually involves a few spaced-out sessions with very mild settings to protect the delicate skin under your eyes. Interestingly, systemic retinoids can help too — but they’re rarely prescribed and only under a doctor’s supervision.

Seborrheic keratoses — the “coins” of aging.

If you’ve ever seen rough, waxy-looking spots that are brown or almost black, especially on your chest, back, face, or scalp — you might be looking at seborrheic keratoses. These often show up in people over 50.

They’re harmless, but they can get irritated or inflamed, especially in places that rub against clothing. They’re easy and quick to remove at a dermatologist’s office — using laser, cryotherapy, or gentle abrasion.

Laser is great for treating large areas in a single session, especially if there are many of them. For the face, gentler methods are usually better to avoid scarring.

Sebaceous hyperplasia

These are little yellowish “buttons” with a central dent, usually found on the forehead or cheeks. They’re overgrowths of the sebaceous (oil) glands. They’re more common in people with oily skin, especially those who spend a lot of time in the sun or use heavy creams.

Treatment involves laser or cauterization. The tricky part is that they often come back, so it’s important to plan treatments for fall or winter, when UV levels are lower. People often report flare-ups when using oily creams or oils, so a proper skincare routine is important. Retinoid-based products help reduce their appearance and slow the formation of new ones.

Intradermal nevi or skin-colored bumps

These are basically flesh-colored moles. People often assume moles should be brown, but many of them don’t have pigment at all. “Intradermal” means the mole’s pigment cells are located in the dermis — under the skin’s surface. That’s why they appear like soft domes instead of raised spots. They may contain pigment or tiny blood vessels, but many are just skin-colored.

They typically appear after childhood — in your 20s, 30s, or 40s — and that’s completely normal. Even though they’re harmless, some people ask to have them removed for cosmetic reasons or because they’re in the way. Removal can be done surgically with stitches or by shaving them flat to the skin. But keep in mind, shaving doesn’t remove all of the mole because part of it sits deeper. If you’ve ever heard “home remedies” using celandine or hydrogen peroxide — forget about them. They can actually make things worse.

These moles can grow hair, too. There’s a myth that a hairy mole means it’s cancerous. Or the opposite — that hair means it’s definitely benign. In reality, hair doesn’t mean anything either way. It’s not linked to cancer.

Dermatofibromas

These are small, firm nodules that usually appear on the legs. You can often recognize them by the way they dimple inward when you press on them. They tend to form after insect bites, small injuries, or inflammation of hair follicles.

They’re harmless, but can itch or feel uncomfortable. Removal is optional — but keep in mind, it may leave a visible scar. Sometimes it’s better just to observe them.

Hemangiomas — bright red “dots”

Another type of skin growth I often get asked about is the cherry angioma. These are small, smooth, bright red bumps that can appear anywhere on the body. They usually show up with age. You rarely see them in teenagers or people under 20, but once you hit 30 — anything’s possible.

Some people have just a few. Others have hundreds, in all different sizes — mostly due to genetics.

Because they’re so bright red, they can be alarming if you nick them while shaving — they tend to bleed a lot. But overall, they’re not dangerous and aren’t linked to serious diseases.

Sometimes people confuse cherry angiomas with spider angiomas. Cherry angiomas are smooth and well-defined. Spider angiomas have a bright red center with little blood vessels radiating out, like spider legs.

Spider angiomas are more common in kids but also appear in adults. They can be related to high estrogen levels — for example, during pregnancy, while taking birth control, or in liver conditions like liver failure. Don’t panic though — if a spider angioma showed up due to liver disease, there would already be other warning signs long before that.

As for cherry angiomas — they’re so common that we usually don’t treat them unless they’re bothering someone cosmetically. If they are, laser removal is super easy.

Cysts and dilated pores of Winer

These are firm bumps, sometimes with a black dot in the center. Inside, there’s keratin. Cysts can get inflamed, infected, and cause real trouble.

They can only be removed surgically, and it’s essential to take out the entire sac — otherwise, the cyst will grow back. Sometimes doctors do an ultrasound to check how deep the cyst is.

Now, you might’ve seen something that looks like a giant blackhead — that’s probably a dilated pore of Winer.

You’ve probably seen them go viral on TikTok — watching them being extracted is oddly satisfying!

But if you just squeeze out the contents, it almost always comes back.

The only permanent solution is to surgically cut it out and stitch the skin, so it heals properly.

Even though it looks like a huge blackhead, it’s not the same — the skin won’t close up if you just remove the plug.

Why you shouldn’t remove growths at home

Let me tell you about one of my clients. She tried to remove a milia herself — with a needle, like she saw online. A few days later, the skin got inflamed, then crusted over — and eventually left a scar. All of that could’ve been avoided with a quick visit to a professional.

At home removals are always risky: infection, scarring, misdiagnosis.

Remember: if you’re unsure — don’t touch it. See a doctor instead.

What you should know about removal methods

Electrocautery — uses electricity to burn off the growth; leaves a tiny scab.

Laser (CO2 or fractional) — precise and safe, good for delicate areas.

Cryotherapy — freezes the growth with liquid nitrogen; might require a second round.

Radiofrequency — a gentle option with no scarring.

Surgical excision — used for larger or suspicious growths; the tissue is sent for testing.

When should a growth be removed?

If it gets irritated by clothes or is frequently injured

If it grows, itches, or changes shape

If it causes cosmetic discomfort

If it’s in a sensitive area

When should you see a doctor?

If the growth is painful, growing, or bleeding

If it changes in shape, color, or surface texture

If it looks nothing like your other moles or spots

Follow the “ugly duckling” rule — if something stands out, see a dermatologist.

I know that changes in your skin can be scary. But it’s important to remember that most growths are harmless. The key is to check in with a professional, avoid self-treatment, and take good care of yourself.

If you found this video helpful, give it a like, subscribe to Metodica Med Spa’s channel, and tell us in the comments — have you had skin growths like these, and how did you deal with them?

See you soon — and remember: your skin is a reflection of your self-love.