Sebaceous Gland Hyperplasia - Appalachian Spring Dermatology

What are these bumps on my face?

Sebaceous Gland Hyperplasia are common yellowish flesh-colored papules or bumps usually seen on the face. They generally have a central indentation in them. To the naked eye, these look a lot like basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer. However, on further examination, you can see a difference. To complicate matters, there is a malignant growth of the oil glands called sebaceous carcinoma.

Most patients over 40 have at least a few of these. Many patients have hundreds. They are often a cosmetic concern.

I like to describe them by using a stalk of broccoli. Normally if you look at the oil or sebaceous glands under the microscope they look like an upside-down stalk of broccoli, where the florets are the oil glands and the stalk is the pore. The oil glands are held in the skin by collagen and elastin that give the skin structure. As we age, with sun damage and with rosacea, the oil glands will often flower up above the level of the skin. So, in the sebaceous gland, the broccoli stalk is correct side up and the florets overgrow.

How are they treated?

For patients who are concerned about cosmetics, we usually treat them with electrodessiation (burning with a hot needle). In this procedure, the objective is to melt the oil glands down and make a microscopic scar to prevent the oil glands from growing. Insurance usually doesn’t cover this treatment, so it is an out of pocket cost.

Can they be prevented?

Not really completely, but tretinoin or RetinA can help reduce the number that develops by building up collagen and elastin in the skin.

If you know someone who may find this article helpful, please share it with them! Follow us on social media this week, and subscribe to our growing YouTube channel!

If you would like to receive these posts in your email inbox, Subscribe to our Site.