Skin lesions
Enlarged sebaceous glands
Small, yellowish bumps with a dip in the centre, on the forehead and cheeks.
What is it?
Enlarged sebaceous glands are small, soft bumps of a few millimetres, skin-coloured or slightly yellow, often with a dip in the centre. They are usually found on the forehead, nose and cheeks.
A sebaceous gland produces sebum to keep the skin supple. Sometimes such a gland becomes larger than necessary. This is harmless, but people often find them bothersome, especially when there are several.
Who gets them?
Mainly from middle age onwards, in men and women. Predisposition plays a large role, and oily skin and a lot of sun in the past seem to contribute. More of them often appear over the years.
First check what it is
An enlarged sebaceous gland is harmless, but it sometimes looks like a lesion that does need attention. That is why the skin therapist first looks at it carefully. If a lesion grows quickly, bleeds or develops a scab that does not heal, we refer you to your GP first.
How we remove them
With coagulation: a very fine needle whose tip becomes warm. This lets us treat the gland very precisely. You feel a short, warm prick. A small scab forms and within a few days there is usually nothing left to see. You can see the result in the before-and-after photo on the lesion removal page.
How we approach it
Every treatment plan starts with a free 30-minute intake. Your skin therapist examines your skin and discusses what you would like to achieve. We then draw up a treatment plan together. Sometimes one treatment is enough, sometimes we combine two. You also receive advice on caring for your skin at home.
Frequently asked questions
Is an enlarged sebaceous gland dangerous?
No, it is harmless. We always look at it first, though, because it sometimes resembles another type of lesion.
Can I squeeze them myself?
No. Unlike a blackhead, there is no build-up inside that can come out. Squeezing only leaves a red, damaged spot.
How many treatments are needed?
Usually one treatment is enough. Sometimes a second is needed for the best result.
Do they come back?
A treated gland can sometimes become slightly larger again over time. And new ones can appear. We then treat them in the same way.
Is removal covered by insurance?
No. Removing enlarged sebaceous glands is cosmetic and is not covered.
How much does it cost?
One lesion costs € 60, two or three lesions € 80 and four or five lesions € 100. For more lesions we agree a price together. See also the prices page.
Treatments
Suitable treatments
Which treatment works best for you depends on your skin. These are the treatments we use most often for this concern.
Results
Before and after treatment
Every result is different. If a photo credits a source, it comes from another clinic that works with the same device. During the intake we discuss what you can expect.
Removal of benign skin lesionsResult of coagulation therapy for enlarged sebaceous glands.View the treatment →
Questions about enlarged sebaceous glands? We are happy to help.
Book a free intake. We look at your skin and tell you honestly what we can do for you.