You notice a new brown, rough, slightly raised spot on your chest or back. It looks almost like it was stuck on there. You have not seen it before, and now you are not sure whether to worry. Should you get it checked? Is it a mole? Could it be something serious?
For many South Florida adults, what they are looking at is a seborrheic keratosis. These harmless skin growths are extremely common, especially as we get older, and they tend to multiply over time. While they are not dangerous, they can look concerning, and that is reason enough to have them evaluated by a board-certified dermatologist.
Seborrheic keratoses are benign skin growths that develop from the outer layer of skin. Despite how they look, they have nothing to do with sebaceous glands or infection. They are simply a very common form of skin overgrowth that becomes more frequent with age.
Most seborrheic keratoses are painless, but some can become irritated from clothing or friction. Occasionally, they may itch or feel tender. If a growth changes in size, shape, or color, that is always worth having examined promptly.
Living in South Florida means consistent, intense sun exposure year-round. While seborrheic keratoses are not directly caused by the sun the way sun spots or actinic keratoses are, cumulative UV exposure may contribute to their development and can certainly make existing pigment changes more pronounced.
Because South Florida skin often deals with multiple overlapping concerns including sun spots, melasma, and benign growths, it can be hard to know exactly what you are looking at without a professional evaluation. You can learn more about how sun exposure contributes to skin changes in our post on why South Florida's winter sun still causes hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
This is the most important reason to have any new or changing growth evaluated. Seborrheic keratoses can closely resemble several other skin conditions, including some that do require treatment.
The rule of thumb is simple. If you are not sure what something is, have it looked at. A professional skin check takes very little time and provides real peace of mind. You can read more about what warrants an evaluation in our post on skin tags and moles in South Florida: when to get them checked.
Seborrheic keratoses do not require treatment for medical reasons. However, many patients choose to have them removed for cosmetic reasons or when they become irritated by clothing, jewelry, or daily friction.
Common removal options a dermatologist may recommend include:
Many patients experience smooth, clear skin after treatment with minimal downtime. Results can vary depending on the size, number, and location of the growths. Your dermatologist will recommend the most appropriate approach after a thorough evaluation.
At Dermatology Experts, patients across Tamarac, Parkland, Miami, and surrounding South Florida communities come to us with exactly these concerns. A spot that looks unfamiliar. A growth that appeared recently. Something that has always been there but suddenly looks different.
Dr. Angelo Ayar, our board-certified dermatologist trained at the University of Michigan, brings thorough, evidence-based care to every skin evaluation. Whether a growth turns out to be a simple seborrheic keratosis or something that warrants closer attention, patients leave knowing exactly what they are dealing with and what, if anything, needs to be done next.
We serve patients throughout Broward County, Miami-Dade County, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, and beyond. With three convenient South Florida locations, getting a professional skin check has never been easier.
If you have noticed new or changing brown spots on your skin, do not wait to have them evaluated. Call Dermatology Experts at (954) 726-2000 or visit dermexperts.com to schedule your appointment today.