Cysts (Epidermoid and Pilar)

Cysts are closed pockets of tissue that can be filled with fluid, pus, or other material. They can form due to clogged pores or blocked hair follicles.

Characteristics:

  • Epidermoid Cysts: Often found on the face, neck, and back. They can be yellow or white and may have a blackhead in the center.
  • Pilar Cysts: Typically found on the scalp and may run in families.

Treatment:

  • Usually, no treatment is necessary unless they become large, painful, or infected.
  • Treatment options include drainage, excision, or corticosteroid injections.
author avatar
Dr. Jane Yoo Board-Certified Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon
Jane Yoo, MD, MPP, is a Korean American board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon based in Midtown Manhattan. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the founder of Jane Yoo MD, PLLC and the Clinical Research Center of New York. Dr. Yoo holds an undergraduate degree from MIT and a Masters of Public Policy from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. She completed her Mohs micrographic surgery fellowship at Yale. Her clinical and research focus spans aesthetic clinical trials including injectables and laser technology, skincare formulation and sunscreen science, K-Beauty and skin of color, ultrasound guided filler dissolution, artificial intelligence and beauty tech. Dr. Yoo's research is indexed under ORCID 0000-0002-7112-8963.