What are Lipomas & When to Worry
What is a lipoma?
Lipomas are noncancerous (benign) growths of fat cells that typically appear just below the skin. They are usually soft or rubbery to the touch, move easily when touched and are generally painless. Lipomas are most common in adults between the ages of 40 and 60, but they can occur at any age.
While lipomas are not considered dangerous and usually grow slowly, they can sometimes grow large enough to cause discomfort or embarrassment.
Causes of lipomas
The exact cause of lipomas is not completely understood, but they are thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. They may be linked to:
- Genetics: Some people have a family history of lipomas
- Obesity: People who are overweight or obese may be more likely to develop lipomas
- Trauma: A lipoma may sometimes develop at the site of an injury
- Age: They can occur at any age, but are most commonly found in middle-aged adults
How to recognise a lipoma – 7 things to look for
Recognising a lipoma is relatively straightforward, although they can sometimes look very like cysts. Here are a few pointers:
- Shape: typically appear as round or oval lumps under the skin
- Size: ranging in size from a pea to a golf ball
- Location: lipomas can develop anywhere on the body, but are most commonly found on the shoulders, neck, back, arms, and thighs
- Texture: soft and rubbery beneath the skin
- Movable: can be easily moved around under the skin
- Painless: most lipomas do not cause any discomfort
- Slow-growing: lipomas usually grow slowly over time.
Are lipomas dangerous?
In most cases, lipomas do not require treatment and can be left alone. However, if a lipoma is causing pain or discomfort, or in a bothersome place, it can be removed.
Many people also prefer to get them removed for cosmetic reasons.
DIY treatments for lipomas
There are no proven DIY treatments for lipomas. Some people like to try do-it-yourself treatments like using warm compresses or massages to reduce the size of the lipoma, but these methods are often ineffective for a real lipoma. There are some claims that applying castor oil or vitamin E oil to the lipoma can help, but there is no scientific evidence to support these ideas.
Professional lipoma removal
If you are concerned about a lipoma or lump in the skin, it is best to see a doctor for assessment and diagnosis. They can diagnose the lump and recommend the best course of treatment. Diagnosis is important to rule out melanoma or any other cancerous issue. This is especially important if you notice any changes in size/shape/colour/growth or behaviour of your lump. It’s also important to understand whether it is a lipoma or a cyst, as treatment does have different implications.
For professional lipoma removal, a dermatologist, plastic surgeon or suitably trained medical doctor can perform a simple surgical procedure. This is usually done under local anaesthetic and involves making a small incision to remove the growth.
In most cases, lipomas do not recur after removal, so generally once it’s gone it’s gone for good.
Lipoma Removal Clinics
Lipoma removal treatment using the latest laser or surgical techniques is available at Skin Surgery Laser Clinic, who have a selection of locations conveniently based in London and Bristol.
All procedures are carried out by highly trained and experienced doctors and surgeons.
Doctors are highly trained and will carry out a full diagnosis first, in order to rule out any other conditions.
For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.
