Small flesh colored bumps on the face are frequently mistaken for clogged pores or skin texture. In reality, there are several possible explanations, and each requires a slightly different approach. In this blog, Dr. Lisa Ishii dives into the different types of flesh colored bumps and the treatment options to address them.
Common Types of Flesh Colored Bumps on the Face and Their Causes
There are many types of “flesh colored bumps” that arise on the face and body. Most of them are benign and can be easily and cosmetically treated. Rarely, some lesions require more dedicated medical care or surgical removal. It is important to have a board-certified dermatologist assess and diagnose each lesion so appropriate treatment can be performed.
Common Lesions:
- Acrochordons (skin tags)
- Benign nevi (moles)
- Fibrous papules/angiofibromas
- Lipomas
- Sebaceous hyperplasia
- Seborrheic keratoses
- Syringomas
- Verruca vulgaris or verruca plana (common warts or flat warts)
More Rare Lesions:
- Actinic keratoses (pre-skin cancers)
- Neurofibromas
- Osteoma cutis
- Skin cancer (ex. Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, etc.)
- Xanthelasma
Are There At-Home Remedies for Flesh Colored Bumps?
No. While there are some “at-home” remedies for bumps or warts, these are not recommended unless specifically recommended by your board-certified dermatologist. The key is knowing the correct diagnosis before treatment, so you are not making the bump worse.
Cosmetic vs. Problematic: When to be Concerned
If a lesion is growing rapidly, changing, bleeding, or becoming painful, these signs suggest that the lesion may not be benign. Typically lesions that are undergoing these changes need to be evaluated more expeditiously so that a biopsy can be performed or proper treatment recommended. Basal cell carcinomas (BCC), for instance, are more common than many people realize; the lifetime risk of developing BCC in the United States is estimated to be >20-30% for Caucasian patients.
In-Office Treatment Options
Treatment is highly dependent on what exactly the lesion is. This is why the first step is always diagnosis of the lesion! Common treatments include snip or shave removal, curettage, electrodessication, or ablative CO2 or Erbium lasers. For warts, cryotherapy and topical treatments can be employed. Occasionally, if the lesion is large, an excision is used to neatly remove the lesion to trade it for a more cosmetically elegant scar. For malignant or pre-malignant lesions, we always collaborate with your general dermatologist to ensure expeditious and seamless care.
Our office is equipped to send all moles out for pathology to confirm the benign nature of the lesion after shave or snip removal.
While most flesh colored bumps are benign, many patients choose to pursue treatment for cosmetic reasons. If you are in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area and interested in learning more, contact our team to learn more.
