Are you struggling with seborrheic keratosis not only on your face but also on your body or the back of your hands?

Seborrheic keratosis can appear not only on the face, but also on the back and hands. However, the treatment method is generally the same regardless of the location.

 

In this article, we’ll discuss which type of laser should be used and how seborrheic keratosis on the back of the hand can be treated.

 

What is seborrheic keratosis?

What is Seborrheic Keratosis?

 

Commonly referred to as “age spots” or “senile warts,” seborrheic keratosis is a hyperkeratotic condition of the epidermis.

 

Unlike pigment disorders, seborrheic keratosis is a benign tumor caused by the excessive proliferation of keratinocytes in the epidermis.

 

While the term “tumor” might sound alarming, seborrheic keratosis found on areas like the face or back of the hands is not malignant and usually causes no symptoms.

 

Therefore, it is typically removed for cosmetic reasons.

 

Patients can usually distinguish seborrheic keratosis from simple pigmentation spots on the back of the hand without much difficulty.

 

How to identify seborrheic keratosis:

• Brown to black pigmentation

• Feels rougher than the surrounding skin

• Slightly raised lesion

• Mostly round in shape

 

If all of these characteristics apply, it is highly likely to be seborrheic keratosis.

 

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Causes of Seborrheic Keratosis

 

Age & Genetics

 

The exact cause is not fully understood, but aging is considered the primary factor, as seborrheic keratosis appears in most people over the age of 50.

Seborrheic keratosis Christian Hafner(2008)

 

The cause is not completely understood, but aging is considered the main factor, as it's said that most people develop seborrheic keratosis after the age of 50.

 

• UV

  

  While ultraviolet (UV) radiation is not considered a direct cause, some studies suggest a correlation, as UV exposure can lead to genetic mutations in the skin.

However, since seborrheic keratosis can also appear on areas like the back—where there is little to no UV exposure—the link between UV rays and this condition is considered weaker than with other pigment-related skin disorders.

 

That said, it’s still a good idea to apply sunscreen regularly. :)

 

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What Types of Lasers Are Used to Remove Seborrheic Keratosis?

 

1. CO₂ & Erbium Lasers

(Left) CO₂ Laser (Right) Erbium Laser

 

CO₂ and Erbium lasers physically shave off the seborrheic keratosis lesions as a form of treatment.

 

Compared to other types of lasers, these are more invasive, so the skill of the practitioner is especially important. However, they tend to be the most affordable option.

 

2. Long-Pulsed Lasers (such as Excel V, Clarity, and GentleMax)

(Left) Excel V (Center) GentleMax (Right) Clarity

 

A "long-pulsed" laser, simply put, is a device that removes pigmentation by heating and breaking it down.

 

It typically uses two wavelengths—532nm and 755nm—which are also effective for removing seborrheic keratosis.

 

3. 755nm Wavelength Pico Lasers (such as PicoSure and PicoAlex)

(Left) PicoSure (Right) PicoAlex

 

Lastly, pico lasers—primarily used for pigment treatments—are introduced here.

 

They use energy levels approximately 10 times higher than those used in skin toning treatments, making them highly effective for treating dark-colored seborrheic keratosis.

 

They are also the least invasive devices, with the lowest risk of side effects.

 

Which Laser Is the Best Option?

A photo of seborrheic keratosis on the back of the hand treated at our clinic

 

If the practitioner is highly skilled, we believe that the most suitable laser is the Erbium laser.

 

The reason is that it is cost-effective and can often remove the lesion in just one session.

 

However, the downside of the Erbium laser is that the practitioner’s skill plays the most crucial role—if not experienced, there is a risk of scarring and a longer downtime.

This is my mother.

 

The photo above shows my mother's case, in which seborrheic keratosis on the back of her hand was treated using a long-pulsed laser.

 

In my experience, whether you use a CO₂ laser, a long-pulsed laser, or a pico laser, the treatment results are generally the same.

 

The only real differences are in the downtime and cost. It’s not a difficult treatment.

 

If you're seeing a doctor who is experienced in treating seborrheic keratosis on the hands, the type of laser used doesn’t matter much.

 

I recommend discussing with your doctor which equipment your clinic uses. :)

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3-Line Summary

• Seborrheic keratosis is a benign, dark, rough, slightly raised skin lesion that is not related to cancer, so there’s no need to worry.

• It can appear on the face, back of the hands, or body, and can be effectively treated with a variety of devices including long-pulsed lasers, erbium lasers, CO₂ lasers, and pico lasers.

• While I personally recommend the erbium laser, any of these devices can achieve good results when used correctly.

 

I hope this article is helpful to many readers.

 

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a like or comment—I’ll be happy to respond kindly.

 

Thank you very much!

 

📍 Primi Clinic
3F, 52 Seongsuil-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea (Primi Clinic)