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 seborrheic keratosis is benign and does not turn into melanoma, but the two can look
alike, which is why a dark or changing growth should always be checked. As a rule of thumb, a seborrheic
keratosis looks “stuck on”, waxy and uniform with a well-defined edge, while the warning signs of
melanoma are asymmetry, an irregular border, more than one colour, a larger or growing size, and any change.
The honest truth, though, is that you cannot reliably tell them apart at home: only a specialist, usually with
dermoscopy, can be sure, and anything uncertain is removed and tested.

What a Seborrheic Keratosis Looks Like

A typical seborrheic keratosis has a reassuring, consistent look:

  • “Stuck-on” appearance, as if glued to the surface of the skin.
  • Waxy or warty surface, sometimes a little crumbly.
  • A well-defined edge and a fairly even colour, from tan to dark brown.
  • Often more than one, in someone over 40 who has had similar growths before.

It is a benign overgrowth of surface skin cells and does not become cancerous. The full picture is in our complete guide to seborrheic keratosis.

The Warning Signs of Melanoma

Melanoma is a serious skin cancer, and catching it early matters. Dermatologists use the ABCDE guide for
a suspicious mole or growth:

  • A — Asymmetry: one half does not match the other.
  • B — Border: an irregular, ragged or blurred edge.
  • C — Colour: more than one colour, or uneven shades of brown, black, red or blue.
  • D — Diameter: larger than about 6 mm, or growing.
  • E — Evolving: any change in size, shape, colour, or new bleeding, itching or crusting.

The “ugly duckling” sign also helps: a growth that simply looks different from your others deserves a check.

Why They Can Be Confused

A seborrheic keratosis, especially a dark, irritated or atypical one, can mimic a melanoma to the naked eye, and
occasionally a melanoma can hide among ordinary-looking growths. This overlap is exactly why
self-diagnosis is not safe: a growth being “stuck-on” is reassuring but not proof, and reassurance from a
quick glance is not the same as a proper assessment. If you are weighing up a specific growth, do not rely on a checklist
alone, get it looked at.

When to Get It Checked, and How We Tell

See a specialist promptly if a growth is new, changing, asymmetrical, multi-coloured, bleeding, itching or
ulcerated, or if it simply worries you. At the clinic a consultant examines it closely, usually with
dermoscopy (a magnified, illuminated view that reveals features the eye cannot), which distinguishes the
great majority of seborrheic keratoses from melanoma with confidence. Where there is any doubt, the safe
course is to remove the growth and send it for histology rather than watch and wait. A classic, clearly
benign seborrheic keratosis can simply be removed if you wish, as set out in
the best treatment options.

Common Questions

Can a seborrheic keratosis turn into melanoma?
No. A seborrheic keratosis is benign and does not become melanoma. The reason it matters is that the two can look alike, so a dark or changing growth should be checked to be sure of the diagnosis.
How can I tell a seborrheic keratosis from a melanoma?
A seborrheic keratosis usually looks stuck-on, waxy and uniform with a clear edge, while melanoma warning signs are asymmetry, an irregular border, more than one colour, a larger or growing size and any change. You cannot be certain at home, though, so anything uncertain should be assessed by a specialist.
How does the clinic confirm which it is?
A consultant examines the growth, usually with dermoscopy, which shows features the naked eye cannot. If there is any doubt, the growth is removed and sent for histology rather than left.
Should I worry about a stuck-on growth that has not changed?
A long-standing, unchanging, classic seborrheic keratosis is very unlikely to be anything sinister, but if you are unsure, or it changes, have it checked. Reassurance from a specialist is quick and worthwhile.

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