Sebaceous hyperplasia is a common, benign condition of sebaceous glands in middle-aged to older adults. Lesions can be single or multiple and present as slightly white, flesh- or yellow-colored, soft, small papules on the face, particularly the nose, cheeks and forehead.
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Signs and Symptoms
Sebaceous hyperplasia occasionally also occurs on the chest, areola, mouth or vulva. They often have a central indentation.
Treatment and Prevention
The cause is unknown and tends to run in families. While no treatment is necessary, they can be treated by:
- Tretinoin cream or gel used daily will reverse the condition slowly overtime and also help keep the condition from worsening.
- Accutane will reverse sebaceous hyperplasia, but new lesions will develop after stopping the medication unless you also use tretinoin cream regularly.
- TCA chemical peels will also reverse sebaceous hyperplasia, but new lesions will occur slowly after treatment.
- They can be destroyed with electrocautery or laser.
Prognosis
Lesions of sebaceous hyperplasia are benign, with no known potential for malignant transformation.