“Are These Dark Spots and Growths on My Skin Something to Worry About?”
By: Dr. Caroline Vaughn
A Real Patient Case from Village Dermatology in Katy & Houston, Texas
As we age, it’s very common to notice new spots, bumps, and growths on the skin. Many patients worry these could be dangerous, but most are actually benign (non-cancerous) and part of normal skin aging.
This case highlights a 78-year-old male who presented for a routine upper body skin exam and was found to have several common, harmless skin growths.
Patient Case Overview
The patient came in for a full upper body skin check, with:
Asymptomatic lesions on the chest and neck
No pain, itching, or bleeding
On examination, several benign findings were identified:
Seborrheic keratoses (waxy, stuck-on growths)
Cherry angiomas (small red vascular spots)
Common Benign Skin Growths Explained
Seborrheic Keratoses
Waxy, “stuck-on” appearing lesions
Range from light tan to dark brown
Very common with aging
These are completely harmless and do not require treatment unless for cosmetic reasons.
Cherry Angiomas
Small, bright red or purple bumps
Caused by clusters of blood vessels
Increase in number over time
Also benign and do not require removal unless desired.
Skin Tags (Acrochordons)
Soft, flesh-colored growths
Common around the neck, armpits, and skin folds
Can become irritated from friction
In this case, multiple skin tags were safely removed with liquid nitrogen.
Lentigines (Sun Spots)
Flat, brown spots on sun-exposed areas
Caused by cumulative sun exposure over time
While harmless, they are a sign of sun damage, making sun protection essential.
Cosmetic Treatments Performed
Although these lesions are benign, some were treated for cosmetic reasons:
Liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy) used to remove:
1 seborrheic keratosis
10 skin tags
Patients were counseled on expected effects such as:
Temporary crusting or scabbing
Possible pigment changes
Low risk of scarring
The Importance of Sun Protection
Given the presence of sun-related skin changes, the patient was advised to:
Reapply every 2 hours when outdoors
Wear sun-protective clothing
Use SPF lip balm
Sunscreen helps prevent:
New sun spots
Skin aging
Skin cancer risk
When Should You See a Dermatologist?
Even though many skin growths are benign, it’s important to seek evaluation if you notice:
Rapid changes in size, shape, or color
Bleeding or non-healing lesions
New or unusual growths
Routine skin exams are especially important as we age.
Skin Cancer Screening & Dermatology Care in Katy & Houston, TX
Village Dermatology provides comprehensive skin exams and cosmetic treatments for patients across Katy and Houston, Texas, helping identify:
Benign vs. concerning lesions
Early signs of skin cancer
Age-related skin changes
Our goal is to keep your skin healthy, protected, and monitored over time.
