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Original poster

To get this removed? (And what is it?)

58 replies

Foreheadthing · 13/04/2025 09:49

I have had this growth on my forehead for a few years now. Don't know what it is, it's very slowly got bigger and more bumpy - like a skin coloured mole or wart, flattish to the skin. Others have now started noticing it and asking me what I've done to my head, and I'd like to remove it.

But I've no idea what it is, and whether removing it would just leave an equally ugly big scar? But I think I'd prefer that to an ugly wart thing! So I guess a few questions...

Anyone know what it is?
Should I still remove it even if I risk a scar?

And who do I even approach? (GP has seen it a couple of years ago, didn't know what it is but wasn't concerned. Suggested I have it removed privately)
A private dermatologist? A pharmacist? A skin clinic? Aesthetics clinic?

I really value advice I find on here so I'd be very grateful for any suggestions, or be told I'm unreasonable and should embrace nature 😂 photo attached!

To get this removed? (And what is it?)
OP posts:
Crunk · 13/04/2025 09:51

I’d be going back to the GP!

MorningSunlight · 13/04/2025 09:51

I’d love to know too! I’ve got something very similar on my cheek - doctor says it’s nothing to worry about, beautician who removes things like skin tags can’t help so I think only expensive options are left.

Kamek · 13/04/2025 09:53

I've got a similar but smaller one and my doctor said its a seborrheic keratosis but you should probably go and see your own GP just to get it checked

Original poster
Foreheadthing · 13/04/2025 09:55

Crunk · 13/04/2025 09:51

I’d be going back to the GP!

I have considered going back, but I think they'll say the same - it's not concerning and they won't do anything. They did measure it and I have a photo of the tape measure next to it, so I suppose I could measure again and go back if it's significantly bigger. Not sure what the criteria would be for NHS removal other than suspected melanoma, which I highly doubt. But I guess I could go and double check!

OP posts:
Crunk · 13/04/2025 10:04

It’s the fact that it’s grown that would bother me. I’d want BCC ruling out by dermatology before considering cosmetic options (but that’s because I’ve had it)

Crunk · 13/04/2025 10:05

NHS definitely remove BCC, it doesn’t need to be melanoma. I’ve also had solar keratosis treated.

MorningSunlight · 13/04/2025 10:06

NHS won’t touch anything that’s cosmetic (rightly I guess) but it’s a shame because it does make you very self-conscious.

thenightsky · 13/04/2025 10:09

I've got the same on my eyelid. After a lot of googling I'm sure its a seborrheic keratosis. Its too near my eye to put the liquid freezing stuff on, but I've read that a dab of cider vinegar twice a day will make it drop off eventually, so I'm trying that now.

Bettysnow · 13/04/2025 10:11

I had something very similar looking to this. I covered it in castor oil and it disappeared after a week.
Check with your GP first to make sure it wouldn't do any harm if you are going to try it

Lovemycat2023 · 13/04/2025 10:22

I used to have quite a few bumps around my eyes, which I paid to have removed privately.

Whilst some were the yellow type ones specific to eyes (and were lasered off) I also had a couple of flash coloured bumps underneath which were taken off by scalpel.

I found someone who did it in a hospital setting, and was a GP, and it was c£500. Would recommend investigating it if the GP is happy it’s nothing worrying.

Original poster
Foreheadthing · 13/04/2025 10:57

Lovemycat2023 · 13/04/2025 10:22

I used to have quite a few bumps around my eyes, which I paid to have removed privately.

Whilst some were the yellow type ones specific to eyes (and were lasered off) I also had a couple of flash coloured bumps underneath which were taken off by scalpel.

I found someone who did it in a hospital setting, and was a GP, and it was c£500. Would recommend investigating it if the GP is happy it’s nothing worrying.

Edited

Thank you - I guess I'll just have to do a bit of googling to find someone who can treat it safely. I am just not sure what it is. I have a few more similar looking spots but much much smaller and seem to be just under my hairline. None around my eyes or nose or oily spots

OP posts:
Original poster
Foreheadthing · 13/04/2025 10:59

Crunk · 13/04/2025 10:05

NHS definitely remove BCC, it doesn’t need to be melanoma. I’ve also had solar keratosis treated.

Thank you - what is BCC? I think I will get them to have another look at it before I consider private removal then. The light in this photo makes it look very bad but it's relatively small and doesn't look as bad in real life / from a distance!

OP posts:
Original poster
Foreheadthing · 13/04/2025 11:07

MorningSunlight · 13/04/2025 10:06

NHS won’t touch anything that’s cosmetic (rightly I guess) but it’s a shame because it does make you very self-conscious.

Yes, I am absolutely happy to pay for removal as it's otherwise not causing me any problems. I just don't want to look like an old witch with a big wart 😂 it's unsightly and the fact other people have noticed it lately (my friend went to "wipe" something off my face thinking it was a leaf or a bit of dirt yesterday!) making me very self conscious, and it's on my face so I see it every time I look in the mirror.

OP posts:
ItGhoul · 13/04/2025 11:09

It looks like a wart to me. If so it can be removed privately. My friend had one removed from just next to her eyebrow. I would probably go back to the GP first though.

Saltedcarameltiramisucheesecake · 13/04/2025 11:20

Looks like keratosis to me. I am recovering from the removal of a few of these at the moment, face and body. I went to a private clinic and would recommend them. They will not diagnose though.
I went to my GP about one on my face, very similar. Referred to nhs dermatology. Currently have treatment plan with 4 weeks of cream. If that doesn't clear it, removal. Will leave a scar though. Had a tiny freckle sized mole removed in minor surgery. No problems so far.
I am in SE if you want to PM me for private clinic details.

unsync · 13/04/2025 12:05

If you go back to your GP, you can ask them for a private referral if they are unwilling to refer on the NHS. (BCC is Basal Cell Carcinoma.)

Lovemycat2023 · 13/04/2025 13:30

Foreheadthing · 13/04/2025 10:57

Thank you - I guess I'll just have to do a bit of googling to find someone who can treat it safely. I am just not sure what it is. I have a few more similar looking spots but much much smaller and seem to be just under my hairline. None around my eyes or nose or oily spots

Show quote history

This is the person I used: https://minorsurgery.co.uk

might help you know what to google! He did also send one of the bits off to a lab and it was all clear.

Thames Valley Surgical Services | Safe Minor Surgery

Thames Valley Surgical Services provides high quality minor surgery for very affordable rates. We treat Cysts, Lipomas, Moles, Skin Tags, Warts & more

https://minorsurgery.co.uk

InfoSecInTheCity · 13/04/2025 13:41

I had a flesh coloured bump on the side of my nose, GP had no cancer concerns so that was that. I booked in with a dermatologist it was £150 total for the consultation and removal which was just done there and then during the consultation. They echoed the GP that it was completely benign and it’s healed up with no mark at all. It was a bit scabby and manky where it was sliced off for a couple of weeks then completely gone.

Thismomlikesknitting · 13/04/2025 14:04

thenightsky · 13/04/2025 10:09

I've got the same on my eyelid. After a lot of googling I'm sure its a seborrheic keratosis. Its too near my eye to put the liquid freezing stuff on, but I've read that a dab of cider vinegar twice a day will make it drop off eventually, so I'm trying that now.

I've got similar on my eyes life gp and specialist say it's xanthelasma palpebrrum.

GraySILK · 13/04/2025 14:06

I had one and I put basuka on it and soon disappeared.

comealongdobbeh · 13/04/2025 14:06

Go to GP, push for a referral to your local dermatology clinic. They’ll tell you what it is and whether they can remove it for you

millymollymoomoo · 13/04/2025 14:29

go and see a private dermatologist and they’ll remove it

Lovemycat2023 · 13/04/2025 15:52

Thismomlikesknitting · 13/04/2025 14:04

I've got similar on my eyes life gp and specialist say it's xanthelasma palpebrrum.

Show quote history

I had my xanthelasma lasered off. It’s now quite sensitive and looks very pale as I have pigmentation around my eyes. I think I would still do it again but it wasn’t quite as good as I was hoping.

Thismomlikesknitting · 13/04/2025 16:02

Lovemycat2023 · 13/04/2025 15:52

I had my xanthelasma lasered off. It’s now quite sensitive and looks very pale as I have pigmentation around my eyes. I think I would still do it again but it wasn’t quite as good as I was hoping.

Show quote history

I've consider laser treatment over the years but it dint bother me. I do get comments from people about it. It's quite bad now.

To get this removed? (And what is it?)
Lovemycat2023 · 13/04/2025 16:49

@Thismomlikesknitting mine was less developed than that. The scar tissue is flat, slightly shiny, so easier to cover up but still not great. Hopefully this photo is useful

To get this removed? (And what is it?)