Cysts

Skin cysts are benign, but they don't go away on their own. Professional removal is quick, clean, and when done correctly, permanent.

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Epidermal cysts are among the most common benign skin growths we see. They're harmless in themselves, but they tend to grow slowly over time, can become inflamed or infected, and are a persistent cosmetic and comfort concern for many patients. To remove them permanently, a dermatologist needs to excise the entire cyst sac, not just drain the contents. At Element Dermatology in Sartell, MN, Dr. LaBine and team remove cysts cleanly and confirms the diagnosis before doing so.

About This Condition

What Are Skin Cysts and How Do They Form?

A skin cyst is a closed sac beneath the skin filled with a soft, white or yellow material made up of keratin and other cellular debris. They develop when keratin-producing cells from the skin's surface become trapped beneath the skin, either due to a blocked follicle, a minor injury, or even just spontaneously. The body encapsulates the debris in a sac that gradually grows as the cells inside continue producing material with nowhere to go.

Most cysts are completely benign and cause no symptoms beyond the visible bump. They become a problem when they grow large enough to be bothersome, become infected or inflamed, rupture, or develop in a location that catches on clothing or causes discomfort.

Common types of skin cysts:

Epidermal Cysts

The most common type, developing when epidermal cells become trapped beneath the skin and form a sac. Often called sebaceous cysts, though this is technically a misnomer. Appear as smooth, firm, flesh-colored bumps most often on the face, neck, trunk, and back. May have a small central punctum. They’re benign but tend to grow slowly over time.

Pilar (Trichilemmal) Cysts

Arise from the outer root sheath of the hair follicle and appear most often on the scalp, where they can be multiple. They’re firmer than epidermal cysts and don't have a visible punctum. Benign in the vast majority of cases, and tend to run in families and may be hereditary. Removed cleanly through surgical excision.

Milia

Small, superficial keratin cysts that form just beneath the skin surface, appearing as tiny white or yellowish bumps. Unlike the larger cysts above, milia don't have a sac in the same sense and are removed through professional extraction rather than surgical excision. See our dedicated Milia page for more detail.

Inflamed or Infected Cysts

When a cyst ruptures or becomes infected, it produces a red, painful, swollen lump that can resemble a large pimple. This is not the right time for removal. Dr. LaBine and team can treat the acute inflammation with an intralesional steroid injection or antibiotics, then schedule a clean removal once the inflammation has settled.

Don’t Try to Pop It!

We know it can be tempting, but while squeezing or puncturing a cyst at home might temporarily reduce its size, the sac will remain intact beneath you skin, and the cyst will eventually refill. Even worse, rupturing the sac can introduce the contents of the cyst into the surrounding tissue, which often triggers an inflammatory response that makes the area red, swollen, and tender. A cyst that has been repeatedly manipulated at home is harder to remove cleanly and more likely to leave a scar than one that has been left alone. Leave it, and come in to have it removed properly.

Targeted Treatments

How We Remove Cysts

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Frequently Asked Questions About Skin Cysts

Does cyst removal hurt?

The removal itself is performed under local anesthetic, so you won't feel the procedure once the area is numb. The anesthetic injection produces a brief sting that passes within seconds. After the procedure, the area may be sore for a few days as it heals, which can be managed easily with over-the-counter pain medication. Most patients find the whole process much more manageable than they anticipated.

Will the cyst come back after removal?

Not if the entire sac is removed. A cyst that has been completely excised won't recur in the same location. The risk of recurrence comes when the sac wall is left behind, whether through simple draining, incomplete excision, or rupture during removal. Our team’s goal is always to remove the sac intact, which produces a permanent result. New cysts can develop elsewhere on the body over time, but the treated site itself should remain clear.

Will surgical excision of my cyst leave a scar?

Any incision leaves some mark, but surgical technique makes a real difference in how visible the final scar is. Dr. LaBine makes the smallest incision needed for clean removal, places it along natural skin lines where possible, and closes it carefully. Most patients find that the resulting scar fades to a thin, pale line over several months. For patients who want further refinement of the scar after healing, laser treatments can improve redness and texture. The scar from a well-performed excision is almost always less noticeable than the cyst it replaced.

Will my insurance cover cyst removal?

It depends on the circumstances. Cyst removal may be covered when the cyst is causing symptoms, is inflamed or infected, or when the diagnosis needs to be confirmed pathologically. Removal for purely cosmetic reasons is less likely to be covered. We recommend contacting your insurance provider beforehand to understand your specific coverage. We'll provide the appropriate documentation to support any claim, and we'll be upfront about costs at your appointment so there are no surprises.