Skin Tags are a common fibrous skin condition often found in areas of friction such as the armpits, under the breasts, groin or around the neck where necklaces or collars may irritate. Derived from epithelial cells and consisting of loose fibrous tissue they form single or multiple distributions and are often hyper-pigmented making them more obvious. They often present with a neck like a mushroom and vary in size from a tiny speck, smaller than a grain of uncooked rice, to the size of a large pea or larger! They are viral in nature (Human Papilloma Virus HPV) and whilst not infectious they can proliferate on individuals with some people suffering from hundreds of them. There are three different methods of skin tag removal for different types of tags and location: 1. For treatment of tags between the eyelashes, or for tiny tags around the neck or under the arms, the probe is gently rested on the skin tag and the current released. The heat generated causes the tag to stick to the probe and then just lifts off as if being melted from the skin. 2. When the location of the tag renders treatment difficult, another method involves insertion of the probe and then the application of current for a number of seconds to cut off the blood supply, which results in the tag immediately shrivelling and eventually (a day or two later) being sloughed off. 3. A third method involves targeting the neck of the tag resulting in the immediate removal of the skin tag. Treatment is very fast and effective. The procedure is only a little uncomfortable with some people experiencing no discomfort at all. With all methods of removal the skin has to go through a healing process and you should expect some scabbing and healing for anywhere between 2 weeks and 3 months depending on the area treated and your skin healing process. Larger skin tags may require multiple treatments (often 1-3).

These can be broken capillaries, but more often are permanently dilated capillaries. Both of which can be treated! As we age, these vessels lose their elasticity and can become permanently dilated. There are numerous causes including aging, hereditary, pregnancy, the rubbing of spectacles, smoking, energetic sports, temperature extremes, harsh weather exposure, hormones, and skin fragility. They are commonly seen in a maturing 'English rose' complexion. They are pink/red in colour. During treatment some parts can dissipate immedeitaly, but often fading begins about three weeks after treatment. Typically up to three treatments may be required, although there may be a noticeable difference after just one treatment. Thread veins on the legs we recommend Sclerotherapy.(https://www.westfieldclinic.co.uk/sclerotherapy)

Spider Naevus is a central dilated blood vessel, with smaller capillaries coming from it like spider legs. They can be individual isolated blemishes or can be multiple in areas such as the cheeks or chest area. They can, if apparent in isolation, be a result of a trauma to the skin, for example a child following a minor mishap such as bumping into an object, can develop a spider naevus in the traumatised area. Certain conditions can make them worse including extreme heat and cold, obesity, pregnancy, stress or pressure on the area. Some parts can dissipate immedeitaly, but often fading begins about three weeks after treatment. Typically up to three treatments may be required, although there may be a noticeable difference after just one treatment.

These are bright red vascular blemishes that lie just under the skin's surface. They are dome-shaped or slightly raised and are most common on the trunk or torso and particularly the midriff back or front. Most people aged over 30 have at least one and they are even more common in men than women.

Milia present themselves as small white lipid-epithelium plugs which contain lamellated keratin deposits and often show as hard, solid lumps lying in the superficial papillary dermis. They are a retention of keratin and sebaceous material within the pilosebaceous duct, eccrine sweat duct, or the sebaceous collar surrounding vellus hair. Their exact cause is unknown although they are often related to diet with a high cholesterol count, excessive Vitamin C, too rich moisturising cream and are also associated with dry skin which can be acidic. Milia can appear between the eyelashes, on the eyelid itself, the cheek area or anywhere on the face or neck where dry skin is present. They tend to grow in size, become harder (as the contents keratinize) and then become noticeable to the eye and cosmetically unattractive. Some people may only suffer one and others exhibit a proliferation of up to 40 – 60 of them at any one time. The current cauterises the blemish and the contents can be removed during treatment, or sometimes the milia is reabsorbed back into the skin and then results can start to show up to a month after treatment.

There are various types of warts, including flat (plane) raised (common) and verrucas (plantar – on the feet). They are benign epidermal tumours which are contagious (human papilloma virus). Warts can develop individually or in clusters and can spontaneously disappear. Plane or flat warts occur mostly on the face, backs of hands and wrists. Hygiene must be of the highest importance to avoid cross infection and if not treated they may spread.. Warts can develop individually or in clusters. Seborrhoeic warts become more common with increasing age and can grow up to two inches across. The treatment can be painful with diathermy so we recommend our Cryotherapy (https://www.westfieldclinic.co.uk/cryotherapylesionremoval)for these viral lesions.

A seborrheic keratosis (seb-o-REE-ik ker-uh-TOE-sis) are a common noncancerous skin growth. You are more likely to develop them as you get older. Seborrheic keratoses can vary in colour and size but they are usually brown, black or light tan. The growths can look waxy, scaly and slightly raised. They usually appear on the head, neck, chest or back. Seborrheic keratoses are harmless and not contagious,but you may decide to have them removed if they become irritated by clothing or you don’t like how they look. You’re generally more likely to develop seborrheic keratoses if you’re over age 50. You’re also more likely to have them if you have a family history of the condition. The current is used to lift away and cauterise and scabs will appear for 2-3 weeks. There may be a small amount of pigment left once the skin has completely healed. The treatment can be uncomfortable, we also recommend our Cryotherapy.(https://www.westfieldclinic.co.uk/cryotherapylesionremoval)

Syringomas are benign eccrine gland tumours presenting as flattish papules or plates found around the eye socket area in particular under the eye and are non-contagious flesh colour elevations of the skin. They range from 1–3 mm in diameter and are firm to the touch. The current applied will shrink the blemish. Small crusts and swellings will then appear, taking up to two weeks to heal. Several treatments may be needed, depending on the area to be treated. We’d recommend that each eye is treated at a separate appointment.

Xanthomas are deposits of fatty material under the skin and range in size from 6mm to more than 7cm diameter. They are associated with a symptom of metabolic disorders such as diabetes or high cholesterol. Xanthelasma Palpebera is the common type which appears on the eyelids and presents itself as flat yellowish growths on the eyelid close to the nose. Resembling a butter bean and causing no pain they are successfully treated using Diathermy. They reduce in size and appearance although the milky yellowy colour remains and more than one treatment is often required over a period of time. The current shrinks the blemish, small crusts and swellings will appear which will take up to 2 weeks to heal. Several sessions may be needed due to the sensitive nature of the skin where Xanthelasma appears. The condition can also tend to recur, but this can be addressed through follow-up appointments.

Sebaceous hyperplasia is a skin condition that becomes more common with age and changes in androgen hormones. It’s caused when your sebaceous oil glands produce too much oil, which can be trapped under your skin and cause bumps. These bumps are harmless and often appear on the forehead and cheeks. However, sebaceous glands exist all over the body, so bumps can form almost anywhere. They are more common in adults, but they can show up at any age. There is minimal down time with this treatment and you can usually carry on your usual daily activities straight after. Sebaceous Hyperplasia can appear as a single small bump or a series of bumps. It’s commonly seen on the chin, forehead or chest, all areas of the body close to oil glands. Treatment causes the blemish to scab and come away over a couple of weeks. The area we’ve treated may also appear redder than usual while healing. They can come back and you may wish to have them retreated again in the future.

Age Spots are caused by an accumulation of a yellow pigment called lipofuscin from ageing of the collagen producing cells. They are very common on the hands and face of middle aged and elderly patients and are usually despised by them as they are so recognisably a sign of increasing age. Using a very fine electrolysis needle and diathermy current a tiny section of the age spot is lifted from the underlying tissue and the color underneath is observed. If the tiny area exposed is lighter in colour, removal can go ahead with varying degrees of success. If the pigment underneath the tiny section lifted is the same colour as the age spot itself the pigment goes deep into the dermis and treatment will not be successful. These blemishes are lifted away and cauterised, leaving small scabs that will disappear over a couple of weeks. Cryotherapy (https://www.westfieldclinic.co.uk/cryotherapylesionremoval)is often the preffered method however as it is much more comfortable for the patient.

Rather than ‘removing’ the mole, we reduce the appearance of it, and/or flatten it if it's raised. The first treatment will usually reduce the mole size slightly if it's raised, and the colour will soften, then a follow-up treatment (once the initial healing has finished around 4 weeks) will flatten it further, reduce the colour and/or smooth it out. The colour cannot be guaranteed to match the surrounding skin. Colourless moles may be left with a very slight pigmentation change to the skin in its place. Very dark/black moles are not suitable. We also use Cryotherapy for mole reduction/removal, it is often a more comfortable method for these lesions.

Hairs in moles can be treated. These hairs are generally deep terminal hairs, with a very rich blood supply to them. Hairs will need repeated treatments. More info and pricing for hair removal click here