medically reviewed by Dr Naveen Chandran
6 mins readAll those stubborn eruptions on your skin need not always be acne. If you look closely, you can find that some of them are different. What can they be? There is a second type of typical eruption on the skin known as, "sebaceous hyperplasia". Simply put, they are oily lumps due to hyperactivity of the oil-producing glands (sebaceous glands).
Sebaceous hyperplasia occurs in clogged hair follicles due to increased secretion of oil glands under the skin, which we will discuss here. This condition is harmless, but it can be unpleasant and affect self-confidence.
Read more in-depth as we discuss various easy treatments available for this condition. This blog discusses how various home remedies can differentiate and treat sebaceous hyperplasia.
Sebaceous glands, in simple terms, oil glands, are present under the skin and almost spread along most of it for a purpose. They secrete sebum, which is a blend of oil and cell debris. These glands are engineered to provide lubrication and essential protection to the skin. So, if this is intact, you don't see dry skin or dull skin; it is naturally glossy.
However, the following reasons can badger these innocent glands heavily, causing them to produce more sebum than necessary!
Though this can happen at any age, babies and older adults are more prone to hairpin turns in their hormonal levels.
Especially imbalances of other hormones that drive metabolism, like thyroid, can coerce sebaceous glands. So, if you are over 25 years of age and suddenly notice oily skin, you can get your thyroid levels checked.
These oil glands are very sensitive to the circulating sex hormones in the body. Typically, when sex hormones are reduced, they stimulate excessive sebum secretion, as per a clinical study.
Clinical studies have proven that excessive consumption of sugary foods and processed foods with sweeteners can shoot up the production of IGF-1 peptide in the body, which ends up bulldozing the sebaceous glands. This can clog hair follicles near the gland, and as the sebum accumulates, it enlarges as shiny lumps.
Immunosuppressants are shown to increase sebum production after certain surgeries. If you have a few suspicious lumps on the face and a history of surgery, contact our Nirva health experts for a complete consultation.
These shiny lumps can also occur due to familial history. They are usually seen over the forehead or the nose and predominantly on the face.
You can get an Ayurvedic analysis done with our Nirva team for advanced early detection to understand what your skin indicates.
Let us see various treatment options for sebaceous hyperplasia you can choose from according to your requirements.
If you see those shiny lumps on your face one fine day, your healthcare provider may consider the following treatments:
This trending treatment is extremely effective for removing unwanted fat from any part of the body. The instrument contains ice tips that can freeze and destroy lipid (fat) cells.
Burning away the fatty lumps. This can burn off the fat cells locally with an electric tip. This can be mildly painful and may be done under local or topical anaesthesia.
Medications, including topical applications containing isotretinoin, androgen regulators, and trichloroacetic acid, can be effective in subduing the lumps.
Fractional lasers that can locally regulate skin glands and
Ayurveda considers the skin the abode of pitta dosha. If you have a pitta-kapha predominant body type and an imbalanced lifestyle, this can aggravate the pitta and kapha dosha on the skin, leading to sebaceous hyperplasia.
Ayurvedic principles allow sebaceous hyperplasia to be diagnosed well ahead of time. By detecting it early, Ayurvedic experts can give a heads-up about any upcoming serious illnesses, like hypothyroidism.
Certain Ayurvedic herbs that can help in sebaceous hyperplasia are:
This is called Punarnava in Ayurveda and has potent lipid-regulating properties. It is also anti-inflammatory and can help correct the underlying cause of the lipid lumps. You can consume this as a powder or juice as per advise
In Ayurveda, this is Nirgundi, the first choice for balancing doshas. It calms down pitta and improves cellular digestion.
Scientifically called Zingiber officinale, a familiar yet powerful healing herb. It balances pitta and vata in the body and effectively controls sebaceous hyperplasia. This can be liberally used in all the dishes.
Medication honey, especially with long pepper, is useful for skin health and can treat oily lumps on the skin. Can be consumed along with milk or warm water as per preference
Many clinical studies mention the use of tea tree oil, thyme oil, basil, and mint in the treatment of oily skin and excess oily lumps. Since the choice of herb is highly specific to one's body type, you can begin with a detailed consultation with our Ayurvedic experts today.
Let us look into 4 helpful natural home remedies that you can try before approaching a healthcare expert.
Here are a few come-at-able herbs that you can find effortlessly to manage sebaceous hyperplasia:
Turmeric, along with 4 to 5 drops of tea tree oil, can be mixed into a paste and applied to the areas of lumps. It can be washed off after 15 to 20 minutes. In case of severe lumps, it can be done daily.
This is a step ahead of the turmeric pack. It contains gooseberry, chebulic myrobalan, and Indian laurel, which Ayurvedic experts consider an all-rounder formulation. Triphala fine powder, a spoonful of lime, and 5 drops of tea tree oil can be applied as a pack on the lumps for best results.
Tea is potentially anti-inflammatory. It has been clinically proven to treat various skin issues. Filtered decoction of tea can be used daily after washing it on the skin.
Apple cider Vinegar can be applied to the shiny lumps as a spot application. It evaporates excess fat and subsides the lumps. This should be done early in the morning.
External applications can be more successful if diet complements the same.
Here are 7 of the best foods that can help reduce the appearance of sebaceous hyperplasia.
Proper consultation can support further healing of the sebaceous lumps while changing food habits. Let's examine this.
Preventing skin problems is equal to preventing several serious illnesses. This is possible because the skin is the index of internal organ health. Anything wrong inside reflects outside on the skin; even a bad mood can be seen on the skin.
Holistic health consultation, including a team of Ayurvedic experts at Nirva dietitians, yoga experts, and clinicians, can help consolidate your lifestyle, its impact on your body, your body type, preferences, and other medical conditions. The recommendations based on this may be the most effective for you.
Our skin care experts can provide you with the best solution for caring for your skin and getting rid of oily lumps.
Sebaceous hyperplasia is becoming increasingly common due to the impact of lifestyle on hormones and metabolism. These lumps can be harmless but are a definite sign of something unusual inside the body.
Before treatments are customized, Nirva health experts will make sure to understand your body type and skin type. They will offer you a detailed interaction and clear all your assumptions about skin health and handling oily lumps.
Get your tailored skincare routine today with us.
Dr Godmi Tresa Sunny
Dr Godmi Tresa Sunny is an Ayurveda practitioner specialising in chronic diseases, gut health, women's health, and stress management. Her practice blends traditional Ayurvedic methods with scientific analysis, advocating for an integrative approach to wellness. She believes in the power of food as medicine and emphasises preventive care, supporting the body's natural healing processes. Dr. Sunny skillfully combines ancient wisdom with modern scientific insights in her work, offering practical, evidence-based advice on nutrition, lifestyle, and herbal remedies.
Home based herbs like turmeric, basil and tea tree can be effective in treating sebaceous hyperplasia.
In case of severe oily lumps medical intervention is very much needed. However home remedies at an early stage can help prevent medical intervention.
Harmful compounds may rapidly trigger oil glands, however the clinical evidence is insufficient to prove it.
Treatment down time differs from every treatment. Anywhere between a few weeks to some months may be needed to see the results.
Sebaceous hyperplasia in itself is harmless, but it is indicative of more serious conditions within the body like hormonal imbalance.