Concerns · Growths & Lesions · CityLink Mall
Sebaceous Cyst Removal in Singapore
A 'sebaceous cyst' is usually an epidermoid cyst, a sac of keratin under the skin. Removing the whole sac is what stops it returning, and that is a doctor's job: SkinRev has no non-invasive option, so Dr Sin Yong assesses and removes cysts at IN Eternity Clinic.
Written & medically reviewed by Dr Sin Yong · 8 October 2026
Quick answer
- A 'sebaceous cyst' is usually an epidermoid cyst, a sac of keratin under the skin. Removing the whole sac is what stops it returning, and that is a doctor's job: SkinRev has no non-invasive option, so Dr Sin Yong assesses and removes cysts at IN Eternity Clinic.
- Medical, performed by Dr Sin Yong at IN Eternity Clinic (Pacific Plaza, Orchard): Assessment by Dr Sin Yong, Punch excision, Shave or excision removal by Dr Sin Yong, Incision and drainage.
- Assessment first; individual results vary. Medical pricing is given at consultation.
A sebaceous cyst is a smooth, round lump under the skin, often with a tiny dark pore (punctum) at its centre. Despite the name, most are epidermoid cysts: a thin sac lined with skin-type cells that fills with keratin, producing a cheesy, sometimes smelly material. They are commonly 1–3 cm, feel firm, and move with the skin. They appear on the face, behind the ears and on the neck, chest, back and scalp. People look for sebaceous cyst removal in Singapore when a lump keeps growing, becomes inflamed, or sits somewhere visible.
A cyst usually forms when the upper part of a hair follicle becomes blocked, or when surface skin cells are pushed under the skin by an injury. Many stay quiet for years. Others rupture under the skin and become red, swollen and painful; this is often called infection, although the inflammation is frequently a reaction to leaked keratin. Squeezing makes this more likely. Lipomas, other cyst types and, rarely, other growths can feel similar, so a doctor should examine any new lump.
SkinRev Lab does not treat cysts, and facials or extraction must never be used on one, because pressing a cyst can rupture it into the skin. If you contact SkinRev about a lump, we route you to IN Eternity Clinic, where Dr Sin Yong examines it and, once it is calm, removes it with the cyst wall intact. If a cyst is red and painful right now, see a doctor soon rather than waiting for a planned removal.
“A cyst that is only drained will usually refill; lasting removal means taking out the whole sac.”
— Dr Sin Yong, IN Eternity Clinic
- Usual diagnosis
- Epidermoid (epidermal inclusion) cyst; 'sebaceous' is a misnomer
- Structure
- Epidermis-like lining filled with keratin, sitting in the dermis
- Typical size
- About 1–3 cm, often with a central punctum
- Complication
- Rupture with painful inflammation; occasional infection
- Removal methods
- Punch (minimal) excision or elliptical excision; drainage only for an acute abscess
- Removed by
- Dr Sin Yong, IN Eternity Clinic
What goes where
The honest ladder:
non-invasive first, medical when it is needed
At SkinRev Lab · non-invasive
There is no non-invasive treatment at SkinRev Lab that changes this concern. We will say so at the first visit and pass your enquiry to IN Eternity Clinic.
At IN Eternity Clinic · Dr Sin Yong
Assessment by Dr Sin Yong — Dr Sin Yong checks that the lump is a cyst and not a lipoma or another growth. An ultrasound scan is occasionally arranged for deeper or uncertain lumps, and the removed cyst wall can be sent for histology.
Punch excision — A small circular blade opens the skin over the cyst so the contents can be emptied and the sac teased out through a small hole. It suits small to medium cysts on the face or neck and tends to leave a shorter scar.
Shave or excision removal by Dr Sin Yong — An elliptical excision removes the cyst and its wall in one piece, followed by stitches. It is used for larger cysts, cysts that have scarred down after past inflammation, or when a complete specimen is needed for histology.
Incision and drainage — For a cyst that is acutely swollen and filled with pus, a small cut to drain it can relieve pain. It does not remove the sac, so the cyst often returns and is removed properly once the area has settled.
Enquiries to SkinRev Lab about medical treatments are passed to IN Eternity Clinic, where Dr Sin Yong performs them.
There is no non-invasive route for cysts at SkinRev. A small, quiet cyst that does not bother you can be left alone. See a doctor if a cyst is growing, has been inflamed before, sits in a visible place, or if you would like it removed. See a doctor promptly if a lump becomes hot, swollen and very painful, if you develop a fever, or if a lump feels hard, fixed to deeper tissue or is growing quickly. Planned removal is usually done once inflammation has settled, as a calm cyst wall is easier to remove completely. Dr Sin Yong assesses and removes cysts at IN Eternity Clinic, and SkinRev can route your enquiry there.
Where this happens
Assessment and non-invasive care — SkinRev Lab, CityLink Mall #B1-28, 1 Raffles Link, Singapore 039393. Underground from City Hall MRT and Esplanade MRT; a short walk from Raffles Place, Marina Bay, Suntec and Bugis. Open daily 11am–8pm.
Medical treatment — IN Eternity Clinic, 9 Scotts Road, #12-01 Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228210, beside Orchard MRT (three stops from City Hall on the North-South line). Mon–Sat 11am–8pm, closed Sunday. Treatments are performed by Dr Sin Yong. WhatsApp +65 8815 3008.
What the research says
The evidence,
with sources
DermNet explains that 'sebaceous cyst' is a common misnomer: these cysts arise from the upper hair follicle, are lined by epidermis-like cells and contain keratin rather than sebum. It notes that complete surgical excision with an intact capsule is the most effective treatment, that removing the whole lining lowers recurrence, and that this is harder once a cyst has ruptured. A 2026 systematic review of five studies with 1,303 patients reached the same conclusion: complete excision, including the whole cyst wall, had lower recurrence than incision and drainage.
On technique, a randomised study of 60 patients with non-inflamed epidermoid cysts compared punch incision with elliptical excision. The punch method produced much shorter wounds and a shorter operating time, with no significant difference in recurrence, and the authors suggested it for cysts of about 1–2 cm on the face or other cosmetically sensitive areas. Larger or previously inflamed cysts may still need a conventional excision.
References
- Lam M. Epidermoid cyst. DermNet NZ. 2020 (amended 2024).
- Guru Naidu S, Can Guru Naidu N, Borgas P, Balasubramaniam D. Surgical excision versus incision and drainage for epidermoid (sebaceous) cysts: a systematic review. Cureus. 2026;18(1):e102434.
- Lee HE, Yang CH, Chen CH, et al. Comparison of the surgical outcomes of punch incision and elliptical excision in treating epidermal inclusion cysts: a prospective, randomized study. Dermatol Surg. 2006;32(4):520-525.
Common questions
Your questions,
answered
What happens during sebaceous cyst removal in Singapore?
After examining the lump, the doctor numbs the area with local anaesthetic. Depending on size and site, the cyst is removed through a small punch opening or a short incision, with the aim of taking out the whole sac. Small wounds may be left to heal or closed with a stitch or two. At IN Eternity Clinic, Dr Sin Yong performs the procedure; SkinRev does not.
What is the cost of sebaceous cyst removal in Singapore?
Pricing is given at consultation at IN Eternity Clinic, after Dr Sin Yong has examined the cyst. It depends on its size and site, whether it has been inflamed, the technique needed and whether histology is done. SkinRev does not treat cysts, so there is no SkinRev price for sebaceous cyst removal.
Can a cyst be removed while it is inflamed?
Usually not completely. When a cyst is red, swollen and painful, the wall is fragile and hard to remove in one piece. A doctor may drain it to relieve pain and, if there are signs of infection, prescribe treatment. Planned removal is then done a few weeks later, once the area has calmed, to lower the chance of it coming back.
Why did my cyst come back after it was drained?
Draining removes the contents but leaves the lining, which keeps producing keratin and refills the sac. Cysts can also recur if part of the wall is left behind during removal, which is more likely after repeated inflammation. Lasting results depend on taking out the entire sac, and individual results vary.
Will there be a scar?
Any removal through the skin leaves a mark. A punch technique usually leaves a small round or short scar, while an elliptical excision leaves a longer fine line. Scars usually soften and fade over months. Raised scars are more likely on the chest, shoulders and jawline, so tell the doctor if you tend to form keloids.
Should I squeeze a sebaceous cyst?
No. Squeezing rarely empties the sac and can push keratin into the surrounding skin, triggering painful inflammation, infection and more scarring. It can also make later removal harder. Keep the area clean, avoid pressure, and see a doctor if it grows or becomes sore. Facials and extraction should not be used on a cyst.