Concerns · Growths & Lesions · CityLink Mall
Seborrheic Keratosis Removal in Singapore
Seborrhoeic keratoses are raised, waxy, 'stuck-on' brown spots that become more common with age. They are harmless but need a doctor's check before removal: SkinRev has no non-invasive option, so Dr Sin Yong assesses and removes them at IN Eternity Clinic.
Written & medically reviewed by Dr Sin Yong · 8 October 2026
Quick answer
- Seborrhoeic keratoses are raised, waxy, 'stuck-on' brown spots that become more common with age. They are harmless but need a doctor's check before removal: SkinRev has no non-invasive option, so Dr Sin Yong assesses and removes them at IN Eternity Clinic.
- Medical, performed by Dr Sin Yong at IN Eternity Clinic (Pacific Plaza, Orchard): Shave or excision removal by Dr Sin Yong, Cryotherapy, Radiofrequency/electrosurgical removal, Laser removal.
- Assessment first; individual results vary. Medical pricing is given at consultation.
Seborrhoeic keratoses (often spelt seborrheic keratoses, and sometimes called age spots or 'wisdom spots') are benign growths of the skin's surface layer. They start as flat, light-brown patches and slowly become raised, rough or waxy, looking as if they have been stuck onto the skin. Colour ranges from tan to almost black, and size from a few millimetres to a few centimetres. They are most common on the face, temples, scalp, chest and back. People usually search for seborrheic keratosis removal in Singapore when the spots catch on clothes, itch or change how the face looks.
Seborrhoeic keratoses become more common with age and sun exposure, and they often run in families. They are not contagious, are not caused by poor hygiene, and do not turn into skin cancer. In darker skin, a variant called dermatosis papulosa nigra appears as many small dark bumps on the cheeks. The catch is that some melanomas and other skin cancers can look very similar. Any spot that is changing quickly, bleeding, inflamed or different from its neighbours should be examined first, and sometimes removed for histology.
SkinRev Lab does not remove seborrhoeic keratoses, and brightening facials or toning treatments aimed at flat sun spots will not flatten a raised keratosis. If you contact SkinRev, we route you to IN Eternity Clinic, where Dr Sin Yong examines each spot, checks it with a dermatoscope and discusses removal. Please avoid home freezing kits and acids, which can burn the skin around the spot and leave a mark that is harder to treat than the original growth. Done properly, removal is a quick procedure.
“A seborrhoeic keratosis is harmless, but a lookalike may not be, so every spot is checked before it is removed.”
— Dr Sin Yong, IN Eternity Clinic
- What it is
- A benign overgrowth of keratinocytes in the epidermis
- Appearance
- Waxy, rough, 'stuck-on' papule or plaque, tan to black
- Typical size
- A few millimetres to a few centimetres
- Risk factors
- Age, sun exposure, family tendency
- Removal methods
- Cryotherapy, shave or curettage, electrosurgery, ablative laser (CO₂ 10,600 nm; Er:YAG 2,940 nm)
- 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
Shave or excision removal by Dr Sin Yong — Because seborrhoeic keratoses sit on the surface, they can often be lifted off with a shave or curette under local anaesthetic, leaving a shallow wound that heals flat. This also provides a specimen for histology if there is any doubt about the diagnosis.
Cryotherapy — Liquid nitrogen freezes thin keratoses so that they crust and fall away. It is quick, but it can leave pale patches, which matters on Asian skin and on the face.
Radiofrequency/electrosurgical removal — A fine electrosurgical or radiofrequency tip dries and lifts the keratosis layer by layer, with precise control on the face and around the eyes. It suits several small or medium lesions in one visit.
Laser removal — Ablative lasers such as CO₂ or Er:YAG vaporise the keratosis with fine depth control. They are useful for multiple facial lesions and for small dark bumps on the cheeks, once the doctor is confident each spot is benign.
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 at SkinRev for seborrhoeic keratoses. They never need removal for health reasons, so treatment is a choice, usually for spots that itch, catch, become inflamed or bother you cosmetically. See a doctor first if any spot is new and growing quickly, bleeds, looks different from your other spots, or if many appear suddenly. People with fair skin, a history of skin cancer or heavy sun exposure should have their spots checked regularly. Dr Sin Yong assesses and removes seborrhoeic keratoses 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
A clinical review describes seborrhoeic keratoses as the most common benign skin tumour in humans, becoming more frequent with age and ultraviolet exposure. They carry gene changes that drive growth but do not carry a risk of malignant change, and the classic treatments are freezing and curettage, with ablative laser also effective. A large pathology study of 9,204 lesions submitted with seborrhoeic keratosis in the clinical diagnosis found that 61 were in fact melanoma, which supports sending removed lesions for examination under the microscope.
Head-to-head studies give mixed answers on method. In a randomised study of 30 people, each with four similar facial keratoses treated by four different methods, electrodesiccation, CO₂ laser and Er:YAG laser gave better overall healing and satisfaction than cryotherapy. A separate blinded randomised study found the opposite for seborrhoeic keratosis, with cryotherapy performing better than electrosurgery. The practical lesson is that the method should fit the lesion, the site and the skin type rather than following a single rule.
References
- Wollina U. Seborrheic keratoses - the most common benign skin tumor of humans. Clinical presentation and an update on pathogenesis and treatment options. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2018;6(11):2270-2275.
- Izikson L, Sober AJ, Mihm MC Jr, Zembowicz A. Prevalence of melanoma clinically resembling seborrheic keratosis: analysis of 9204 cases. Arch Dermatol. 2002;138(12):1562-1566.
- Zaresharifi S, Robati RM, Dadkhahfar S, et al. Efficacy and safety of cryotherapy, electrodesiccation, CO2 laser, and Er:YAG laser in the treatment of seborrheic keratosis. Dermatol Ther. 2021;34(5):e15083.
- Sadeghzadeh-Bazargan A, Shafiei M, Atefi N, et al. Evaluation and comparison of the efficacy and safety of cryotherapy and electrosurgery in the treatment of sebaceous hyperplasia, seborrheic keratosis, cherry angioma, and skin tag: a blinded randomized clinical trial study. Health Sci Rep. 2024;7(11):e70154.
Common questions
Your questions,
answered
Is seborrheic keratosis removal in Singapore necessary?
Not medically. Seborrhoeic keratoses are harmless and do not become cancer. Removal is for spots that itch, catch on clothing, become irritated, or that you dislike cosmetically. What is necessary is a proper diagnosis, because some skin cancers can look similar. Dr Sin Yong examines each spot at IN Eternity Clinic before recommending whether, and how, to remove it.
What is the cost of seborrheic keratosis removal in Singapore?
Pricing is given at consultation at IN Eternity Clinic, once Dr Sin Yong has seen how many spots there are, their size and site, and which method suits your skin. Histology, if it is needed, adds a laboratory cost. SkinRev does not remove seborrhoeic keratoses, so there is no SkinRev price for this.
What is the difference between a seborrhoeic keratosis and a sun spot?
A sun spot (solar lentigo) is flat and smooth: the colour sits within the skin, and it is usually treated with pigment lasers. A seborrhoeic keratosis is a raised, thickened growth of surface cells, often rough or waxy, so it has to be physically removed or ablated. A lentigo can slowly thicken into a seborrhoeic keratosis, which is why the two are often confused.
Will the spots come back after removal?
A treated keratosis does not usually regrow in the same place if it was fully removed, although thin remnants can reappear. New keratoses, however, keep forming with age and sun exposure, so most people with several will notice new ones over the years. Daily sun protection may help reduce new sun-related spots.
Is there downtime, and will it leave a mark?
Most removals leave a shallow pink wound or crust that heals over one to two weeks. The new skin may look pink, lighter or darker for a few weeks to months, especially on Asian skin, before it blends in. Gentle care and strict sun protection help. A small lasting mark is possible, and individual results vary.
Can I remove seborrhoeic keratoses with creams or at home?
Over-the-counter creams rarely flatten these growths, and home freezing kits or acids can burn the surrounding skin and leave marks. More importantly, home treatment skips the diagnosis. If a spot bothers you, have it examined first so that the right method is used and anything unusual is not missed.
Related