Seborrhoeic keratosis (age wart): what the term means
Medically reviewed by Dr Sin Yong · Last reviewed · 3 min read
Published 13 October 2026 · Reviewed by Dr Sin Yong
Seborrhoeic keratosis (age wart) is a benign overgrowth of keratinocytes, the skin's outermost cells, seen as a waxy, sharply bordered, tan to dark brown plaque that looks pasted onto the surface. It is not a viral wart, not contagious and does not become cancer, but melanoma and other pigmented skin cancers can mimic it, so dermatoscopic diagnosis comes before any removal by cryotherapy, curettage, electrocautery or ablative laser.
Key facts
ICD-10
L82
What it is
Benign proliferation of keratinocytes, driven by clonal change and age more than by sun alone
Where
Face, scalp, chest, back; anywhere except palms and soles; most adults have at least one by middle age
Removal
Cryotherapy, curettage, electrocautery or ablative laser, chosen by thickness and site once confirmed benign
Where it fits
The one question that matters with an age wart is whether it is definitely benign. The typical lesion is diagnosed by its stuck-on, waxy, sharply bordered look under the dermatoscope; a growth that is changing, bleeding, irregular or unlike its neighbours is examined more closely before anything is destroyed, because a pigmented skin cancer can wear the same coat. Once confirmed, removal is elective and quick, and new lesions can appear over the years because the tendency is largely genetic and age-related. Full page: seborrhoeic keratosis; the flat brown spots it is confused with on sun spots; pigmented growths in general on mole removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Despite the name it is not a viral wart and does not spread from person to person or from one site to another. It is an overgrowth of the skin's own surface cells, overwhelmingly a feature of accumulated birthdays.
It should not be. Melanoma and other pigmented skin cancers can mimic one, so Dr Sin Yong confirms the diagnosis with a dermatoscope before any cryotherapy, curettage or laser. Destroying a lesion without a diagnosis removes the evidence.
