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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The best treatment for a seborrheic keratosis is the one matched to the growth, and for most growths that is a
shave excision. Because a seborrheic keratosis sits only in the top layer of skin, shaving it off under
local anaesthetic gives precise depth control, needs no stitches, heals neatly and has a low recurrence rate (about 5%).
CO2 laser is used for larger or recurrent growths, and cryotherapy for very
small ones. Here is how the options compare and why shave excision is usually the best choice.
The Treatment Options Compared
All are done under local anaesthetic (lidocaine) by a consultant. The method is chosen to suit the growth:
| Method | Best for | Recurrence | Tissue can be tested? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shave excision (default) | Most growths | About 5% | Yes |
| CO2 laser | Larger or recurrent growths | About 2% | No (ablative) |
| Cryotherapy (freezing) | Very small growths, under 0.5 cm | About 10% | No |
The procedure itself, step by step, is in our complete guide to seborrheic keratosis removal.
Why Shave Excision Is Usually Best
A seborrheic keratosis is an overgrowth of the surface skin only (the epidermis), so it does not need to be cut deep.
Shaving it off flush with the skin gives the surgeon precise depth control, so just enough is taken: it
needs no stitches, gives an excellent cosmetic result, and has a low recurrence rate. It
also lets the growth be sent for testing if there is any question about the diagnosis. By contrast, laser
and cryotherapy carry a slightly higher risk of lightening the skin (hypopigmentation) and scarring, which is why they are
reserved for specific situations (larger or recurrent growths, or very small ones) rather than used as the default.
“I had a small lesion removed at London Skin Clinic. Lovely staff, and the clinic itself was easy to find, luxurious
and clean. I recommend it highly.”Niall A., verified Google review
What to Be Wary Of
Be cautious of any treatment that removes a pigmented growth without first confirming the diagnosis. A
seborrheic keratosis can look like a melanoma, so it should be assessed by a consultant, and a growth that is rapidly
growing, ulcerated or unusual is removed and sent for histology rather than simply frozen or burned off. Over-the-counter
acids and home freezing kits are not a good idea, both because they cannot tell what the growth is and because they can
scar or fail to clear it. The safe, effective route is a proper assessment and removal; the diagnosis is covered in
seborrheic keratosis vs melanoma.
Cost
- Consultation: £100 (separate, not redeemable)
- Removal, first growth: £300
- Each additional growth in the same session: £200
- Histology, where needed: £180
Up to about ten growths can be treated in one session. Book a consultation.
Common Questions
- What is the best treatment for seborrheic keratosis?
- For most growths, shave excision under local anaesthetic, because it is precise, needs no stitches, heals neatly and has a low recurrence rate of about 5%. CO2 laser is used for larger or recurrent growths and cryotherapy for very small ones.
- Is laser better than shaving?
- Not usually. Laser is reserved for larger or recurrent growths because it works a little deeper, but it carries a slightly higher risk of skin lightening and scarring, so shave excision is the default for most growths.
- Can I treat it at home with acids or freezing kits?
- It is not advisable. Home treatments cannot confirm what the growth is, and they can scar or fail to clear it. A growth should be assessed by a consultant before removal.
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