Seborrheic Keratosis Removal Melbourne

Medically reviewed by Dr Ed Omarjee, FRACGP, CPCA and ACAM Fellow · Published 30 April 2026 · Last reviewed 27 October 2026

Seborrheic keratosis (SK) is a common, non-cancerous skin growth that looks waxy, rough or “stuck on”, and usually appears after age 40. It does not need treatment, but many people choose removal when it catches, itches or bothers them. The DOC removes SK in Ashburton and Hoppers Crossing after a skin assessment.

What is seborrheic keratosis?

Seborrheic keratoses (also spelt seborrhoeic keratoses, and sometimes called age warts or brown warts) are benign, wart-like growths on the skin.¹ They range from light tan to very dark brown or black, often have a rough or waxy surface, and look as if they have been stuck on like a barnacle. They can appear anywhere except the palms and soles, and are common on the face, chest, back and scalp.^1,2

They are extremely common. SKs usually start to appear in a person’s 30s or 40s, and more than 90% of adults over 60 are estimated to have at least one.² The exact cause is unknown, but they are linked to normal skin ageing and some people inherit a tendency to develop many.^1,2 For a full overview of symptoms and causes, see our seborrheic keratosis condition guide.

Seborrheic keratosis vs moles vs warts: what’s the difference?

SKs are often mistaken for moles or warts. The table below shows the usual differences, but appearance alone is not a reliable way to diagnose a skin growth.

Seborrheic keratosis vs mole vs wart

Feature	Seborrheic keratosis	Mole	Wart
Appearance	Raised, “stuck on”, tan to black¹	Brown or skin-coloured spot or bump³	Rough, cauliflower-like, often with tiny black dots⁴
Texture	Waxy, rough or crumbly	Usually smooth	Hard and rough⁴
Cause	Linked to skin ageing; exact cause unknown¹	A cluster of pigment cells (melanocytes)³	Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection⁴
Contagious?	No	No	Yes, by skin contact⁴
Typical age	Usually after 40¹	Most appear in childhood and early adulthood³	Most common in school-aged children⁴
Cancer risk	Benign and not pre-cancerous, but can look like skin cancer²	Usually benign; some can change into melanoma³	Benign
When to check	Very dark, irregular, changing or growing fast¹	New after 25, or changing in size, shape or colour^3,5	Unsure of diagnosis, painful, or not clearing

Sources: Australasian College of Dermatologists,¹ DermNet,^2,4 Healthdirect,³ Cancer Council Australia.⁵

SKs are also closely related to dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN), where many small SK-like spots appear on the face and neck.¹ DPN is most common in people with darker skin. Read more in our DPN guide.

Is seborrheic keratosis dangerous?

No. SKs are benign and are not pre-cancerous.² They do not cause major health problems, although they can itch, catch on clothing or jewellery, bleed if scratched and become inflamed.¹ The main concern is that some skin cancers, including melanoma, can look similar, so any uncertain or changing growth should be checked before it is removed.^1,2

When a growth should be checked first: see a doctor before any removal if a spot is new (especially after age 25), changing in size, shape or colour, very dark or irregular, growing quickly, bleeding or weeping, or a sore that does not heal.^1,5 Suspicious lesions are not treated cosmetically at The DOC; they are tested first.

Seborrheic keratosis removal options compared

The best method depends on the size, thickness, number and location of your SKs, your skin type, and whether a sample needs to be tested.

Removal methods at a glance

Method	How it works	Sessions	Healing time	Scarring and pigment risk	From price	At The DOC?
Radiofrequency	Radiofrequency energy gently vaporises the growth under local anaesthetic	Usually one per lesion; several lesions in one visit	Crust lifts in about 1 to 2 weeks; pinkness fades over 2 to 12 months⁶	Low, but not zero; darkening possible in deeper skin tones⁶	$495 first lesion; $195 each extra⁶	Yes
Laser	Ablative laser removes the growth layer by layer	One or more	Temporary redness and sensitivity; varies	Possible lightening or darkening	$495 per visit⁶	Yes, for selected lesions
Cryotherapy	Liquid nitrogen freezes thinner growths so they fall off²	One, sometimes repeated²	Blister and crust, usually settling within a few weeks	Lightening, especially in darker skin²	Quoted at consultation	Yes
Shave or excision	The growth is shaved, scraped or cut out, and can be sent for testing²	One	Scab or stitches for 1 to 2 weeks	Small mark or scar	Quoted after assessment; Medicare rebate usually available for biopsy⁶	Yes, when testing is needed

Sources: DermNet,² The DOC price list and treatment pages (October 2026).⁶ All removal methods carry some risk of permanent colour change or scarring, and removal does not stop new SKs forming.¹

Radiofrequency is a very good fit for most SKs, because they sit on the surface of the skin and can usually be flattened with minimal depth. It destroys the tissue, though, so nothing can be sent to a laboratory. If there is any doubt about the diagnosis, Dr Ed will recommend a shave or excisional biopsy instead. For a wider comparison of methods, read laser vs radiofrequency vs surgical mole removal.

How much does seborrheic keratosis removal cost in Melbourne?

Keloid treatment prices at The DOC

Radiofrequency removal: from $495 for the first lesion, plus from $195 for each additional lesion in the same visit*
Special areas (nose, ears, eye area, genital area): from $695 for the first lesion*
Laser removal: from $495 per visit*
Consultation: $195 to $295, charged separately; a Medicare rebate usually applies to the consultation*

Removal of SK for cosmetic reasons is not covered by Medicare or private health insurance. Under the Medicare Benefits Schedule, treatment of seborrheic keratoses is generally paid on an attendance basis,⁷ which means a rebate may apply to the consultation but there is no separate rebate for the removal itself. Where a biopsy is needed to rule out skin cancer, a Medicare rebate is usually available for that procedure. Full pricing is on our cosmetic mole and skin lesion removal prices page.

*Prices as published on The DOC’s price list and radiofrequency treatment page, October 2026. Final prices depend on size, location and number of lesions and are confirmed at consultation.

What to expect: before, during and after removal

Before: Dr Ed examines each growth with a dermatoscope to confirm it is an SK. Anything uncertain is tested rather than removed cosmetically.
During: the area is numbed with local anaesthetic, which stings for a few seconds. Most radiofrequency removals take minutes, and several lesions can often be treated in one visit.⁶
After: a dressing is applied. A crust forms over the first week or so and lifts on its own, leaving pink skin that fades over the following months. Daily SPF 50+ sunscreen helps the area heal evenly.⁶

New SKs may still appear over time, as removal does not prevent new ones from forming.¹ Many patients book a review every year or two to treat new spots as they come up.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to remove seborrheic keratosis?

There is no single best method. Radiofrequency suits most raised SKs, cryotherapy can suit thinner ones, and a shave or excision is used when the growth needs to be tested. The choice depends on the lesion, its location and your skin type.

Is seborrheic keratosis removal covered by Medicare?

Cosmetic removal is not covered. Medicare generally pays for SK treatment on an attendance basis,⁷ so a rebate may apply to your consultation, and a rebate is usually available for a biopsy if one is needed.

Does seborrheic keratosis go away on its own?

Rarely. SKs tend to persist, although individual lesions occasionally fade, particularly if they were inflamed.²

Will seborrheic keratosis come back after removal?

A treated SK does not usually return in the same spot, but new ones can develop elsewhere over time.¹

Is seborrheic keratosis the same as a mole?

No. A mole is a cluster of pigment cells, while an SK is a growth of the outer skin layer. They can look alike, which is why an examination comes first.^1,3

Can seborrheic keratosis turn into skin cancer?

SKs are not pre-cancerous. Rarely, a skin cancer can develop next to or within one, or be mistaken for one, so changing or unusual spots should always be checked.²

Why choose Dr Ed Omarjee for seborrheic keratosis removal in Melbourne?

Dr Ed Omarjee holds Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP), CPCA certification and Fellowship of the Australasian College of Aesthetic Medicine (ACAM) (AHPRA registration MED0001186584). Every consultation and treatment at The DOC is performed by Dr Ed personally, not by nurses or therapists.

Dermatoscope assessment of every lesion before any removal
Radiofrequency, laser, cryotherapy and biopsy options available in-clinic
Several lesions can often be treated in one visit
Clear written pricing before treatment
The DOC East: 47A Karnak Rd, Ashburton VIC 3147
The DOC West: 302 Heaths Road, Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029

Call 03 9021 6022 or book a skin lesion consultation online.

Results vary between individuals. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Read about surgical risks and complications and non-surgical risks and complications.

Medical references

Australasian College of Dermatologists. Seborrhoeic keratoses. A to Z of skin; updated November 2025. dermcoll.edu.au/atoz/seborrhoeic-keratoses
Oakley A. Seborrhoeic keratoses. DermNet; updated January 2016. dermnetnz.org/topics/seborrhoeic-keratosis
Healthdirect Australia. Moles. Last reviewed November 2025. healthdirect.gov.au/moles
Oakley A, Gomez J. Viral warts. DermNet; updated November 2025. dermnetnz.org/topics/viral-warts
Cancer Council Australia. Check for signs of skin cancer. cancer.org.au
The DOC. Cosmetic mole and skin lesion removal prices; Radiofrequency mole removal. Accessed October 2026. thedoc.com.au
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. MBS Online: explanatory note TN.8.9, Treatment of keratoses, warts etc. (item 30189). Schedule fee updated 1 July 2026. MBS item 30189

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Have a question about the procedure? Please complete the form below and we will be in touch ASAP.

All in-person consultations are located at our clinics:

The DOC West: 302 Heaths Road, Hoppers Crossing, Victoria 3029,

The DOC East: 47A Karnak Rd, Ashburton VIC 3147

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To request a consultation or further information, complete the attached form and we will respond to you as soon as possible. You are welcome to upload images to assist with explaining your concern(s).

At The DOC, all patient consultations and treatments are conducted personally by Dr. Ed Omarjee, registered medical practitioner. Treatments are not performed by nurses or therapists.

Seborrheic Keratosis Removal Melbourne: What Are Your Options?