Thought It Was Just Acne? A Guide to Distinguishing Epidermal Cysts, Sebaceous Cysts, and Lipomas!

Hello,

This is Geomjin Gaja, your comprehensive guide to health checkups.

Have you ever felt a soft or hard lump somewhere on your body while washing or changing clothes?

Many people leave them alone if there is no pain, or try to squeeze them thinking they are just acne, only to suffer from worsened inflammation.

Let’s take a detailed look at the differences between epidermal cysts, sebaceous cysts, and lipomas—the most common benign skin tumors—and the correct ways to treat them.

What is this lump on my body? (Differences and Characteristics)

Surgeons generally classify benign skin tumors into three main categories.

Epidermal Cyst

This is a lesion where the skin grows inward to form a sac. A small black opening is often visible on the skin surface, and when squeezed, it releases foul-smelling contents.

Sebaceous Cyst

This occurs when sebum (oil) cannot be discharged normally and forms a clump.

Lipoma

This is a mass formed by a collection of mature fat cells. It is located deeper than an epidermal cyst and feels like a soft rubber ball to the touch.

Why do they form? Could they become cancerous?

This is a concern for many people: ‘Could this be cancer (a malignant tumor)?’

Fortunately, epidermal cysts and sebaceous cysts do not turn into cancer. You can also rest assured regarding lipomas, as they have a different origin from liposarcoma (a type of cancer).

While the exact cause is often unknown, if they appear in multiple locations across the body, genetic factors may be at play.

Dermatology vs. Surgery: Where should I go?

If you simply want to squeeze out the contents for cosmetic reasons, a dermatology clinic is an option. However, to ensure the prevention of recurrence, a surgical clinic is recommended.

Dermatologists often only remove the contents, leaving the sac behind. This leads to a high probability of the sac filling up again and the cyst recurring. In a surgical clinic, the sac (cyst wall)—which is the root cause—is completely removed through surgery, allowing for a much cleaner and more permanent treatment.

Is the surgery painful? What about scarring?

The word ‘surgery’ might sound intimidating, but it is actually a very simple process.

Pain

There is brief pain only during the local anesthesia injection. After the procedure, any discomfort is easily manageable with prescribed pain relievers.

Scarring

Since an incision is made, a faint mark may remain. However, benign tumor surgeries are performed through very small incisions, making them barely noticeable.

The most important timing: ‘Come when it doesn’t hurt!’

The key point emphasized by doctors is to seek treatment before inflammation occurs.

Even if an epidermal cyst isn’t currently bothersome, it can suddenly become inflamed due to a bacterial infection. Once inflamed, the surgical area becomes larger and the risk of scarring increases. Therefore, it is much better for the prognosis to remove it while it is small and painless.

Post-operative Care and Recovery

Immediately after surgery, you can resume daily activities such as light walking, showering, and office work. Depending on the area, stitches are typically removed in about 5 days for the face and about 2 weeks for areas with thicker skin, like the back, leading to full recovery.

A lump on your body won’t disappear just by worrying about it. In fact, neglecting it might only lead to inflammation. Based on the information provided today, we recommend visiting a nearby surgical clinic for an accurate diagnosis.

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