Sebaceous Hyperplasia
Pronunciation: sih-BAY-shus hy-per-PLAY-zhuh
A benign enlargement of sebaceous glands presenting as yellowish, umbilicated papules, most commonly on the face, often treated with laser ablation or electrosurgery in a cosmetic dermatology setting.
Full Definition
Sebaceous hyperplasia occurs when individual sebaceous glands become enlarged, typically due to hormonal changes or chronic sun exposure. It presents as soft, yellowish, dome-shaped papules with a central dell on the face, particularly the forehead, nose, and cheeks. Cosmetic dermatologists may treat it with fractional laser, electrosurgery, photodynamic therapy, or topical retinoids. Editors should not confuse this with milia (which involve keratin) or closed comedones. The term is always written as two words and not hyphenated.
Usage
Usage note: Always two words, never hyphenated. 'Sebaceous' refers to the oil-producing gland; do not substitute 'seborrheic', which describes a related but distinct condition.
In Context
- "The patient was counselled that sebaceous hyperplasia responds well to electrosurgery but may recur without maintenance therapy." — Patient consultation notes
- "When editing the treatment summary, ensure sebaceous hyperplasia is not conflated with comedonal acne." — Editorial style guide