Mr. Onur Gilleard
Qualifications & Experience
Mr Onur Gilleard is a distinguished consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC specialist register. He previously held an NHS consultant post at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, specialising in skin cancer and microsurgical reconstruction. In 2021, Mr Gilleard transitioned from the NHS to dedicate himself fully to private practice, allowing him to focus exclusively on providing personalised, high-quality care to his patients. He is recognised as an expert in laser treatments, having conducted research and developed advanced treatment protocols using cutting-edge laser technology to optimise both clinical outcomes and cosmetic results.
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A properly removed seborrheic keratosis usually does not grow back in the same place. Recurrence at the
treated spot is low and depends on the method: about 5% with shave excision, 2% with CO2 laser and 10%
with cryotherapy. What does happen, because you are prone to them, is that new growths can appear
elsewhere over time. That is normal and is not a sign the removal failed. Here is why the odd one recurs, why new
ones appear, and how to keep recurrence as low as possible.
Do They Grow Back at the Same Spot?
Usually not. When the growth is fully removed, the treated area heals and stays clear in the large majority of cases. A
small percentage can recur, and the rate depends on how it was removed:
- Shave excision: about 5% recurrence.
- CO2 laser: about 2%.
- Cryotherapy: about 10%.
A recurrence usually happens if a few of the superficial cells are left behind, which is why the method and a careful
removal matter; the options are compared in the best treatment for seborrheic keratosis.
“I came to the clinic and had a lesion removed. The team were absolutely lovely, very caring and made sure I was
comfortable and fully understood everything. I have recommended London Skin Clinic to all my friends for any skin
procedures.”Chevelle S., verified Google review
New Ones Appearing Elsewhere
This is the part people often confuse with “growing back”. If you have a tendency to seborrheic keratoses, you will
probably keep developing new ones in other places as you get older, regardless of how well an earlier one
was removed. Removing one growth does not cause more, and it does not prevent more either; new growths simply reflect your
skin type and age, as explained in why seborrheic keratoses appear.
Keeping Recurrence Low
The single biggest factor is having the growth removed properly in the first place, by a consultant, with the method
matched to it: shave excision and laser have the lowest recurrence rates, while freezing is reserved for very small
growths and carries a slightly higher chance of return. There is no cream or routine that reliably stops new ones forming,
so if you develop several over time, the practical approach is simply to have any that bother you removed.
When a “Regrowth” Should Be Re-checked
If something returns at a treated site, or a “new” growth looks different from your usual seborrheic keratoses, have it
assessed rather than assumed. A growth that is changing, asymmetrical, multi-coloured, bleeding or ulcerated
should always be checked, because a seborrheic keratosis can resemble a melanoma; see
seborrheic keratosis vs melanoma.
Common Questions
- Do seborrheic keratoses grow back after removal?
- Usually not at the same spot. Recurrence is about 5% with shave excision, 2% with CO2 laser and 10% with cryotherapy. You may, however, develop new ones elsewhere over time, which is normal.
- Why do I keep getting new ones?
- Because a tendency to seborrheic keratoses comes with age and genetics. New growths in other places are not a sign that a previous removal failed, and removing one does not cause more.
- Can I stop them coming back?
- There is no cream or routine that reliably prevents new ones. The best way to keep recurrence at a treated site low is a proper removal by a consultant with the right method; any new growths that bother you can be removed too.
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