Cyst and lipoma removal in Gurgaon
Most lumps under the skin are harmless cysts or lipomas, but the first job is to be sure of that. Dermatologist Dr. Tanya Kochhar examines the lump, decides whether it needs a scan, and plans removal by the safest route for its size, depth and site, with as small a scar as possible.
How are cysts and lipomas removed in Gurgaon?
A cyst or lipoma is first examined to confirm what it is, with an ultrasound if anything is unusual. Removal is a minor procedure under local anaesthetic: a cyst is taken out with its wall so it does not return, and a lipoma is lifted out through a small cut. Large or deep lumps go to a surgeon.
Cyst and lipoma removal, in short
Typical figures for small, uncomplicated lumps. Your own plan depends on the type of lump, its size, depth and site.
Cysts and lipomas: what they are
An epidermoid cyst, often called a sebaceous cyst, is a small sac under the skin lined by skin cells and filled with soft, cheesy keratin. It feels like a smooth, firm, round lump that moves with the skin, often with a tiny dark pore on top, and is common on the face, neck, chest, back and behind the ears. A pilar cyst is a similar lump on the scalp, often more than one, and tends to run in families.
A lipoma is a slow-growing lump of fat cells under the skin. It feels soft or rubbery, slides under the fingers and is usually painless. Lipomas are common on the shoulders, back, neck, arms and thighs. Both cysts and lipomas are almost always benign, and neither turns into cancer. They are removed when they are bothersome, growing, repeatedly inflamed, or when the diagnosis is not certain.
Do not squeeze a cyst. It rarely empties fully, pushes keratin into the surrounding skin, and is the commonest reason a quiet cyst becomes red, painful and infected.
Lumps we assess
Most lumps can be identified by examination alone. A few need a scan or a biopsy first.
Epidermoid cyst
A firm, round lump in the skin, often with a central pore. Can leak smelly white material and become inflamed. Removing the whole wall prevents it returning.
Pilar cyst
A smooth, firm lump on the scalp, without a pore, often several. Usually shells out cleanly during removal because its wall is thicker.
Lipoma
A soft, rubbery, movable lump of fat under the skin, usually painless. Typical small lipomas can be left alone or removed for comfort or appearance.
Milia
Pinhead white bumps of trapped keratin, often around the eyes. These are not true cysts in the usual sense and are treated simply, as described on the minor procedures page.
Inflamed or infected cyst
A cyst that has become red, hot, swollen and painful. Treated first with medicines, a steroid injection or drainage, and removed later once settled.
Lumps that need a scan
A lump that is hard, fixed, painful, growing quickly, deep, or larger than about 5 cm is imaged with ultrasound, and sometimes reviewed by a surgeon, before any plan is made.
How cyst and lipoma removal works
Assessment first, then the procedure by the safest route for your lump.
Assessment
Dr. Tanya examines the lump, asks how long it has been there and whether it has changed or become inflamed, and checks your medicines and scarring history. An ultrasound is advised if any feature is unusual.
Planning
You are told whether removal is advisable, the likely scar length and position, and whether it is best done in-clinic or by a surgeon. The plan and quote are given in writing.
The procedure
The skin is cleaned and numbed with local anaesthetic. A cyst is removed with its wall intact through an incision along the skin lines; a lipoma is freed and lifted out. The wound is closed with fine stitches and dressed.
Results and follow-up
Stitches are removed after one to two weeks. Tissue is sent to a laboratory when appropriate, and the result is explained to you. Scar care and sun protection are advised while the scar matures.
Cyst and lipoma removal methods explained
Cyst excision removes the whole cyst, including its lining. This is what prevents recurrence: if part of the wall is left behind, the cyst usually grows back. Where possible the incision follows the natural skin lines so the scar is less noticeable, and for some smaller cysts a minimal-incision technique, emptying the contents and drawing the wall out through a small opening, gives a shorter scar. The method depends on the cyst's size, site and whether it has been inflamed before, as scarring around an old inflamed cyst makes the wall harder to remove cleanly.
Draining a cyst releases pus and gives quick relief when a cyst is inflamed and tense, but it does not remove the wall, so the cyst usually returns. Drainage or a small steroid injection is used to settle an inflamed cyst first, with removal planned some weeks later when the area is calm.
Lipoma removal is done through an incision over the lump, through which the fatty tissue is freed and delivered. Small lipomas just under the skin are suitable for removal under local anaesthetic. Large lipomas, those lying deep within or beneath the muscle, and lumps on the neck or other sites close to important structures are referred to a general or plastic surgeon, as the safer place for removal.
Lasers, creams and injections cannot remove a cyst or a lipoma. Products marketed to dissolve lumps are not a substitute for diagnosis or proper removal.
Cyst or lipoma: how to tell the difference
The two are often confused. These are the usual differences, though examination is the reliable way to tell.
| Epidermoid cyst | Lipoma | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A sac lined by skin cells and filled with keratin. | A collection of normal fat cells under the skin. |
| How it feels | Firm, round, moves with the skin; may have a central pore. | Soft or rubbery, slides under the skin, no pore. |
| Common sites | Face, neck, chest, back, behind the ears; scalp for pilar cysts. | Shoulders, back, neck, arms and thighs. |
| Can it get inflamed? | Yes; it can become red, painful and discharge. | Rarely. |
| How it is removed | Excised with its wall to prevent recurrence. | Freed and lifted out through an incision. |
| Chance of return | Low if the whole wall is removed. | Low after complete removal. |
Any lump that is hard, fixed, painful, growing quickly or larger than about 5 cm should be examined and usually scanned before removal.
Cyst and lipoma removal cost in Gurgaon
The cost depends on the type, size, number and site of the lumps, whether a scan or laboratory testing is needed, and whether removal is done in-clinic or by referral. You receive a written quote after the assessment, before anything is booked.
Why the first removal should be the last
A cyst that is only drained, or removed in pieces, usually comes back, and the scar tissue from each attempt makes the next removal larger and harder. Paying once for complete removal, at the right time and by the right route, usually costs less than repeated quick fixes.
Aftercare and warning signs
Caring for the wound
- Keep the dressing clean and dry for 24 to 48 hours, then wash gently as advised.
- Avoid heavy lifting, gym work or stretching the area until the stitches are out, especially on the back and shoulders.
- Take simple pain relief such as paracetamol if needed; avoid aspirin unless prescribed.
- Return for stitch removal on the date given.
- Use sunscreen or keep the healed scar covered for a few months to limit darkening.
Contact the clinic if you notice
- Redness or warmth spreading beyond the wound after the first day or two.
- Increasing pain or swelling instead of gradual improvement.
- Pus, discharge or an unpleasant smell.
- Fever or feeling generally unwell.
- Bleeding that does not stop with 15 minutes of firm pressure.
Lumps assessed by a dermatologist
Dermatologists are trained in diagnosing skin lumps and in dermatosurgery, the minor procedures used to remove them with care for the scar. Just as important is knowing when not to operate in the clinic: an inflamed cyst that should be settled first, a lump with features that need a scan, or a large or deep lipoma that belongs with a surgeon. That judgement is made at the consultation and explained to you.
Dr. Tanya Kochhar holds an MBBS from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, an MD in Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy from MGM Medical College, a DNB, and a post-doctoral fellowship in Aesthetic Dermatology (FRGUHS). She is registered with the National Medical Commission and the Delhi Medical Council.
Cyst and lipoma removal FAQs
Does a cyst or lipoma need to be removed?
Not always. A small, typical lipoma or a quiet cyst that does not bother you can be left alone and watched. Removal is advised if the lump is growing, painful, repeatedly inflamed, in an awkward place, or if the diagnosis is uncertain. Many people choose removal for comfort or appearance.
Will the cyst come back after removal?
Recurrence is uncommon when the whole cyst wall is removed. Cysts that are only drained, or removed while inflamed, are more likely to return because part of the wall is left behind. That is why an inflamed cyst is usually settled first and removed when the area is calm.
How much does cyst or lipoma removal cost in Gurgaon?
At Le Dermaire the cost depends on the type, size, site and number of lumps, and whether laboratory testing is needed. It is quoted in writing after the assessment, before anything is booked. The consultation fee is ₹1,800, and there are no charges that are not quoted to you first.
Is cyst removal painful?
The area is numbed with a local anaesthetic injection, which stings briefly; after that most people feel only pressure and movement. Mild soreness for a few days afterwards is common and usually settles with paracetamol.
Will there be a scar?
Any removal through the skin leaves a scar, usually a fine line a little longer than the lump. Incisions are placed along natural skin lines where possible. The scar is pink at first and fades over several months. Scars on the chest, shoulders and upper back are more prone to thickening, so mention any history of keloids.
Can a lipoma be removed without surgery?
Not reliably. Creams, tablets and laser do not remove lipomas. Injections have been tried to shrink small ones, but the standard treatment is removal through an incision, which also allows the tissue to be examined. Small lipomas are removed under local anaesthetic; large or deep ones by a surgeon.
Can a lipoma turn into cancer?
Lipomas do not turn into cancer. Rarely, a lump that looks like a lipoma is a different kind of fatty tumour. Warning signs are a lump that is large, deep, hard, fixed, painful or growing quickly, and such lumps are scanned before any removal is planned.
Can an infected cyst be removed straight away?
Usually not. Removing an inflamed cyst leaves a larger scar and has a higher chance of the cyst returning. It is first settled with medicines, a steroid injection or drainage, and removed completely a few weeks later once the redness and pain have gone.
How long is recovery after cyst or lipoma removal?
Most people return to desk work the same or the next day. Stitches are removed after one to two weeks, depending on the site. Heavy lifting and exercise that stretches the wound are avoided until then, and the scar continues to soften for several months.
Where is the clinic in Gurgaon?
Le Dermaire is at 10P, 3rd Floor, Sector 28, Chakkarpur, Golf Course Road, Gurugram, opposite Phase 1. It is open Monday to Saturday from 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM and on Sunday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Cyst and lipoma removal on Golf Course Road, Gurugram
Close to DLF Phases 1 to 5, Sushant Lok, Cyber City, MG Road and Golf Course Extension Road. Evening and Sunday slots make the assessment, procedure and stitch removal easy to fit around work.
Golf Course Road, opposite DLF Phase 1,
Sector 28, Chakkarpur, Gurugram
Often considered alongside
Minor Skin Procedures
Milia, electrocautery and other small procedures, each planned after a diagnosis.
Explore 02Wart & Skin Tag Removal
Why warts can spread and recur while skin tags do not, and how each is removed.
Explore 03Mole Evaluation
What makes a mole worth checking, how dermoscopy helps, and when removal is sensible.
Explore 04Keloid Treatment
Raised, spreading scars, and how the risk is managed after procedures in keloid-prone skin.
ExploreGet your lump checked
You will leave knowing what the lump is, whether it needs a scan or removal, and the route, scar and cost to expect.