Cyst Removal

At Cosmedics we are aware of peoples perception it might be painful. This is not the case as we use nano sized needles to numb the area first so you don’t feel anything during the procedure.

If left untreated, benign cysts can cause complications including infection; where the cyst fills with bacteria and pus and becomes an abscess which leads to be a bigger wound and more scarring.

It can be very difficult to self-diagnose a cyst, as there are so many types. Please send your photo to enquiries@cosmedics.co.uk. We’ll ask one of our doctors or surgeons to take a look and give you their thoughts and advice. This is no substitute for a face to face consultation, but can be a really helpful place to start if you’re not sure.

Our doctors use micro excisions where possible to any scarring is kept to a minimum and heal quickly.

Cysts are closed pockets of tissue that can be filled with fluid, pus, or other material, creating a “lump or bump” that may feel like a small, smooth pea under the skin’s surface. They can develop as a result of infection, clogging of sebaceous glands, or around foreign bodies or ingrown hairs. Cysts often occur on the face, scalp and body with the commonest types being a sebaceous cyst, epidermal or pilar cysts.

Cysts can be formed for a variety of different reasons. They can be caused by infections, inherited diseases, chronic inflammation and most commonly blockages in ducts. The common type of cysts are:

Epidermoid  & Pilar cysts

An Epidermoid cyst is a small benign bump filled with keratin protein, often these occur if you have trauma around a hair follicle within the skin. An Epidermoid cyst grows deeper into the skin rather and eventually grows outwards to the surface which then the cyst is properly formed and able to be removed.

Sebaceous cyst

Sebaceous cysts often form from the sebaceous glands. These glands are part of the skin and hair follicles, if they get ruptured or blocked the glands then generate sebaceous cysts. The sebaceous glands make the oil for your hair and skin, these cysts are made from sebum and are less common than Epidermoid cysts.

Chalazia cyst

Chalazia cysts are benign cysts that occur on your eyelids when the oil gland duct is blocked, These cysts can be quite painful and cause blurred vision, painful swelling and can often grow quite large. Chalazia cysts are best to get diagnosed and removed as soon as possible before the symptoms cause too much pain for the individual.

No, for most cyst removals you can return to work the next day.

You can wash and shower, but be careful to keep the area dry for the first 1-2 days. Avoid long baths for 7 days.

Yes, you will be given dressings to use that are changed every 2-3 days.

You might have some discomfort for a day or so, in which case parcetamol or ibuprofen are fine to take.

Walking and gentle exercise is fine. However, if the area is affected by exercise such as the leg then we recommended leaving heavy exercise for 2 weeks.

The vast majority of cysts can be removed in the same appointment as your consultation as part of our ‘See & Treat’ service.

Our exclusive ‘See & Treat’ system was designed specifically to enable clients to go ahead with treatment in the same appointment as their consultation (as long as both patient and Doctor/Surgeon are agreed). If you’re not sure there’s no obligation to go ahead straightaway; you’re welcome to arrange treatment for another day if preferred.

In some cases, complex cysts may require a longer treatment and therefore require a separate appointment. Your doctor/surgeon will advise on this during your consultation after full assessment and diagnosis of the cyst.

Yes, cyst removal is entirely pain-free thanks to the use of local anaesthetic.

After cyst removal, we normally will need to use stitches to bring the edges of the wound together. We use dissolving stitches where possible, but in some cases, stitches may need removing by your Doctor/Surgeon 1-2 weeks after cyst removal.

We will advise on this fully after assessment of your cyst during your initial consultation.

Most cysts are removed very carefully using a sterile scalpel.

It is important to avoid soaking the area for 7 days, so leave a week before you go swimming – more if you think the wound needs a bit more time to heal.

You will be given specific instructions regarding wound care and dressings in your appointment.

There is usually a dressing applied after facial cyst removal, to protect the wound while it starts to heal. You will be given some additional dressings to go home with and can replace the dressing if needed. Be gentle when removing any dressings. Soaking in some warm water (not overly hot) can help loosen it up if stuck. After removing the dressing, the wound itself can be cleaned with some soapy water, then dried.

If you are using steri-strips, then you reapply by cutting the strips in half and applying across the wound. If required, the shower proof dressing is then put on top.

Your doctor/surgeon will advise how long you need to use dressings, steristrips and shower proof layers.

You will be given specific instructions regarding wound care and dressings in your appointment, as this can vary depending on the nature of treatment that you’ve had.

After cyst removal, our doctor/surgeon will usually apply a dressing. You will be given some additional dressings so that you can replace it at home if needed. Be gentle when removing any dressings. Soaking in some warm water (not overly hot) can help loosen it up if stuck. After removing the dressing, the wound itself can be cleaned with some soapy water, then dried.

If you are using steristrips, these are usually cut in half and then applied across the wound. A shower proof dressing is then put on top (if supplied).

Your doctor/surgeon will give specific instructions regarding wound care and dressings in your appointment.

We usually use a spray on dressing applied after cyst removal on the scalp, as dressings can be quite awkward where there is a lot of longer hair. The spray on dressing protects the wound while it starts to heal.

Keep this area dry for 1-2 days. After then, you can wash the hair as normal, but be especially gentle and careful around the wound. Apply Vaseline or silicone scar gel 2-3 times a day to help the wound heal.

Stitches are then removed 7-10 days later. We will check on how the wound is healing and give any further advice as required.

Some bruising in the area is quite normal after cyst removal. This normally takes 7-14 days to settle. Gentle massage and arnica cream can help speed up the recovery.

Once the wound has healed (typically around 2 weeks) then scar therapy can start. Our advice for the best scar reduction therapy is as follows:

Cyst removal from body/limbs

• Continue to support the wound with steri-strips or micropore tape for 2 months changing them every couple of days as they get worn. The reason for this that even though the wound has healed the wound is only at about 50% of its normal skin strength at this stage, so in areas when the skin moves a lot the scar then stretches if it is not supported during these first few few months whilst it regains more strength.
• After the period of strapping for 1-2 months, you can then start to massage with Silicon scar gel, Bio-Oil or vitamin e cream. This should be done 2-3 times a day for the next 3 months to help improve the redness and texture of the scar.

Cyst removal from facial areas

• Apply silicon scar gel twice a day, morning and evening. Dermatix or Kelo-cote are available at Cosmedics Skin Clinics or at most chemists.
• Make-up can be applied over the top once the scar gel has dried if needed.
• Gentle massage during the day using moisturising cream or oil (e.g. Bio-Oil) helps soften the scar as well.  This can be done for up to 3 months.

You will have a dressing over the site so we ask that you keep this dry for 24-48 hours but can then wash as normal. If it’s uncomfortable simple ibuprofen or paracetamol is ok to take. You may have stitches that will be removed 7-14 days after the procedure so should avoid strenuous exercise until then. You can resume work straight after the treatment.

Aftercare after cyst removal is fairly straightforward. Please click below for detailed information

AFTERCARE LEAFLET