Sebaceous hyperplasia is a common, benign enlargement of the skin's oil glands — small yellowish bumps with a central dimple, usually on the face from middle age. It is not skin cancer but can mimic a basal cell carcinoma, so we offer doctor-led dermatoscopic assessment first, then optional cosmetic treatment by electrocautery, targeted laser or cautious cryotherapy.
- Sebaceous hyperplasia is a benign enlargement of the skin's oil (sebaceous) glands.
- It appears as small yellow bumps with a characteristic central dimple, usually on the face.
- It is not skin cancer and not pre-cancerous, and becomes more common with age.
- Its main look-alike is basal cell carcinoma, so dermatoscopic review comes before any cosmetic removal.
- A changing, bleeding or ulcerating bump should be assessed to exclude a skin cancer.
- Treatment is optional and cosmetic — many people just have the diagnosis confirmed.
- Options include electrocautery, targeted laser and cautious cryotherapy.
- Cryotherapy is used carefully because of pigment-change risk, especially in darker skin.
- New bumps can appear over time and treated ones can recur — treatment improves appearance, not the underlying tendency.
- Assessed at both the Ivanhoe and Diamond Creek clinics with no referral required.
Sebaceous Hyperplasia
Sebaceous hyperplasia is a very common, benign enlargement of the skin's oil (sebaceous) glands. It shows up as small, soft, yellowish bumps — often with a tiny dimple in the centre — usually on the forehead, cheeks and nose of middle-aged and older adults. It is not skin cancer and is not pre-cancerous. The main reason to have it assessed is that it can occasionally mimic a basal cell carcinoma, so doctor-led dermatoscopic review matters before any cosmetic removal.
By Dr Christopher Irwin, MBChB, FRACGP, MMed (Skin Cancer), FACAM, MSCCA
Published 2026-06-06 · Updated 2026-07-10 · Editorial policy
Quick definition
Sebaceous hyperplasia is a very common, benign enlargement of the skin’s oil (sebaceous) glands. It appears as small, soft, yellowish bumps — often with a tiny central dimple — usually on the forehead, cheeks and nose from middle age onward. It is not skin cancer and not pre-cancerous. The main reason to have it assessed is that it can occasionally mimic a basal cell carcinoma, so doctor-led dermatoscopic review matters before any cosmetic removal. Treatment is optional and cosmetic — options include electrocautery, targeted laser and cautious cryotherapy.
Sebaceous hyperplasia is a benign (harmless) enlargement of the skin’s oil glands. The bumps are small, soft and yellowish, often with a characteristic central dimple, and they tend to appear on the oil-rich areas of the face as we get older.
They are not skin cancer and not pre-cancerous. The reason they are worth a look is that they can sometimes resemble a basal cell carcinoma, so a dermatoscopic check before any cosmetic treatment is sensible — particularly for a lesion that is changing.
What does sebaceous hyperplasia look like?
- small soft bumps, usually 2–5 mm
- yellow, cream or skin-coloured
- a central dimple (dell), sometimes with small lobules around it
- commonly on the forehead, cheeks and nose
- often multiple, increasing in number with age 1
What causes sebaceous hyperplasia?
The sebaceous (oil) glands become larger and less efficient with age, so sebaceous hyperplasia is common from middle age onward. 1,4 Contributing factors include:
- a genetic / familial tendency (which can appear earlier)
- long-term sun exposure and skin ageing
- hormonal influence on the oil glands
- association with the immunosuppressant ciclosporin in some transplant patients 3
Is sebaceous hyperplasia dangerous?
No — sebaceous hyperplasia is benign and does not turn into skin cancer. 1,4
The main issue is the look-alike: a basal cell carcinoma can share some features. On a dermatoscope, sebaceous hyperplasia typically shows yellow lobules around a central dimple with fine “crown” vessels that stop at the edge and do not cross the centre. 2 Where the appearance is uncertain, bleeding, ulcerated or growing, we biopsy for certainty rather than treat cosmetically.
When to get a bump checked
Book a review if a bump is:
- new and growing
- bleeding, crusting or ulcerating
- changing in colour or shape
- clearly different from your other spots (the “ugly duckling”)
These features can occur with basal cell carcinoma, so it is safer to have a changing lesion checked. If your main concern is skin cancer risk rather than this specific bump, start with a full-body Skin Check. If you have multiple lumps and bumps you are unsure about, see Other Dermatological Conditions.
What is the best treatment for sebaceous hyperplasia?
There is no single “best” treatment — the right method depends on the lesion, the area and your skin type. Electrocautery and targeted laser are the most common choices for the face. 1,4 Removal is optional and chosen for cosmetic reasons only, and we confirm the diagnosis is benign before any cosmetic treatment.
Reassurance — no treatment needed
The bumps are harmless, and many people simply have the diagnosis confirmed and leave them alone.
Electrocautery / electrodesiccation
A fine current gently treats individual bumps — quick and effective, with a small scab during healing.
Laser treatment
Targeted laser can reduce or flatten lesions and address the small vessels that feed them. Often chosen for the face and for multiple lesions, planned after the diagnosis is confirmed. See moles, skin lumps & bumps →.
Cryotherapy (freezing)
Used cautiously, because it can leave a lighter mark — a higher risk in darker Fitzpatrick skin types and on the face.
Topical and other options
Some topical or in-clinic chemical approaches exist for certain cases; for very widespread disease, oral isotretinoin is occasionally considered under specialist guidance, though lesions can return when it is stopped. 1,4
What to expect after treatment
Treatment improves the appearance rather than permanently curing the underlying tendency. New bumps can appear over time and treated ones can sometimes recur, so occasional maintenance may be wanted. A small scab, mild redness and temporary pigment change can occur during healing — strict sun protection (SPF 50+) through the healing window minimises pigment problems.
Book an assessment
If you want a clear diagnosis, reassurance or cosmetic removal options, book an assessment with Dr Chris Irwin at Ivanhoe or Diamond Creek. Both clinics operate the same patient pathway:
- Ivanhoe — Unit 1/1065 Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe VIC 3079
- Diamond Creek — Shop 12/67 Main Hurstbridge Road, Diamond Creek VIC 3089
Symptoms
- Small soft bumps, usually 2–5 mm, that are yellow, cream or skin-coloured.
- A characteristic central dimple or dell, sometimes with tiny lobules around it.
- Common locations — forehead, cheeks, nose and other oil-rich areas of the face.
- Often multiple, and tend to increase in number with age.
- Generally painless and stable; they do not bleed or ulcerate the way some skin cancers can.
- May be more noticeable with oily skin or in people taking certain immunosuppressant medication.
Causes & contributors
- Age — the sebaceous glands become larger and less efficient over time, so the condition is common from middle age onward.
- Genetic tendency — a familial form exists and can appear earlier.
- Long-term sun exposure, which contributes to skin ageing in the affected areas.
- Hormonal influence on the oil glands.
- Associated with the immunosuppressant ciclosporin in some transplant patients.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is usually clinical and supported by dermoscopy. The classic yellow lobules around a central dimple, with fine "crown" vessels that do not cross the centre, are highly characteristic on a dermatoscope. The important look-alike is basal cell carcinoma, which can share some features, so any lesion that is bleeding, ulcerated, growing, or dermatoscopically uncertain is biopsied for certainty rather than treated cosmetically. We do not perform cosmetic removal on a lesion of uncertain diagnosis without first confirming it is benign.
Treatment options
Reassurance — no treatment needed
Sebaceous hyperplasia is harmless, so treatment is optional and chosen for cosmetic reasons. Many people simply have the diagnosis confirmed and leave the bumps alone.
Electrocautery / electrodesiccation
A fine current is used to gently treat individual bumps. Quick and effective for cosmetic improvement, with a small scab during healing. Suited to selected lesions on the face.
Laser treatment →
Targeted laser can reduce or flatten individual lesions and address the small vessels that feed them. Often chosen for cosmetically sensitive areas and multiple lesions, and planned after the diagnosis is confirmed as benign.
Cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen)
Freezing can be used for some lesions but carries a risk of a lighter mark (hypopigmentation), which is higher in darker Fitzpatrick skin types and on the face — so it is used cautiously in those situations.
Topical and other in-clinic options
Some topical or in-clinic chemical approaches exist for certain cases. For very widespread or persistent disease, oral isotretinoin is occasionally considered under specialist guidance, though lesions can return when it is stopped.
When to see a doctor
Book a review if a bump is new and growing, bleeding, crusting or ulcerating, changing in colour or shape, or simply different from your other spots (the "ugly duckling"). These features can occur with basal cell carcinoma, which is the main look-alike, so it is safer to have a changing lesion checked than to assume it is harmless. If your main concern is skin cancer risk rather than this specific lesion, a full-body skin check via our Skin Checks pathway is the better starting point. If you have multiple lumps and bumps and are not sure what they are, start at Other Dermatological Conditions.
Frequently asked questions
-
Is sebaceous hyperplasia skin cancer?
No. Sebaceous hyperplasia is a benign (harmless) enlargement of the oil glands and is not skin cancer or pre-cancerous. The reason it is worth having assessed is that it can occasionally look like a basal cell carcinoma, so a doctor-led dermatoscopic check before any cosmetic treatment is sensible — especially for a lesion that is changing. -
How is it told apart from a basal cell carcinoma?
On a dermatoscope, sebaceous hyperplasia typically shows yellow lobules around a central dimple with fine 'crown' vessels that stop at the edge and do not cross the centre. Basal cell carcinoma tends to show different vessel patterns and may bleed or ulcerate. Where the appearance is uncertain, we biopsy for certainty rather than treat cosmetically — lasering a misdiagnosed skin cancer is a serious diagnostic delay. -
Do the bumps need to be removed?
No. Removal is entirely optional and cosmetic. Many people simply have the diagnosis confirmed and leave the bumps alone. Treatment is chosen when the bumps are cosmetically bothersome, particularly on the face. -
Will they come back after treatment?
They can. Sebaceous hyperplasia reflects an ongoing tendency of the oil glands, so new bumps can appear over time and treated ones can sometimes recur. Treatment improves the appearance rather than permanently curing the tendency, and occasional maintenance may be wanted. -
What is the best treatment for sebaceous hyperplasia?
There is no single best treatment — it depends on the lesion, the area and your skin type. Electrocautery and targeted laser are the most common choices for the face; cryotherapy is used more cautiously because of the risk of lighter marks, especially in darker skin. The right method is chosen at consultation after the diagnosis is confirmed as benign. -
Can I remove sebaceous hyperplasia at home?
No — there is no safe or effective home removal. The bump is an enlarged oil gland, not a blocked pore, so squeezing or picking does not clear it and risks scarring and infection. Because its main look-alike is a basal cell carcinoma, the diagnosis should be confirmed with a dermatoscope before anything is done to the lesion. -
Why did I suddenly get a lot of these?
Sebaceous hyperplasia becomes more common with age and can run in families, so gradually developing several is normal. Certain medication (such as the immunosuppressant ciclosporin in transplant patients) can also be associated with it. A genuinely rapid change in a single lesion is the thing to have checked, as that is more about excluding a look-alike than the hyperplasia itself.
References
- DermNet NZ. Sebaceous hyperplasia.
- Zaballos P et al. Dermoscopy of sebaceous hyperplasia. Arch Dermatol (2005).
- de Berker DA et al. Sebaceous hyperplasia in organ transplant recipients — shared aspects of hyperplastic and dysplastic processes? J Am Acad Dermatol (1996).
- Eisen DB et al. Sebaceous lesions and their associated syndromes — part I. J Am Acad Dermatol (2009).
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Medically reviewed by Dr Christopher Irwin, MBChB, FRACGP, MMed (Skin Cancer), FACAM, MSCCA · Published 2026-06-06 · Updated 2026-07-10 · Editorial policy