How long does curettage and cautery take to work for seborrheic keratosis?

Seborrheic keratoses are benign, often rough or stuck-on growths. Curettage removes the raised surface, while cautery treats the base and helps limit bleeding. The growth may look flatter immediately, but the area can be pink, darker, lighter, or crusted as the surface repairs. Healing depends on the growth's thickness, its body site, and your skin's response. The appearance of a treated mark can continue to change after the wound has closed.

Use the dressing and cleansing routine provided by your clinician. Avoid scratching, shaving over the area, or applying acids, retinoids, or fragranced products until the skin has recovered. Reduce friction from collars, straps, or jewellery. After closure, protect the site from sun to help limit persistent colour change. If the growth was not examined before removal, ask whether follow-up or tissue assessment is needed.

Contact the clinic if redness spreads, pain increases, swelling becomes pronounced, or discharge develops. Seek advice for fever, persistent bleeding, or a wound that is not closing. A changing, bleeding, or returning growth should be examined rather than labelled a seborrheic keratosis without review.

Ask what appearance is expected during healing, when you can resume normal skincare, and whether a sample will be sent for examination. Ask how to distinguish a returning growth from normal crusting or post-treatment colour.