• In a new Instagram video, Dr. Pimple Popper removes a steatocystoma.
• The substance she squeezes out is mostly sebum, a substance that lubricates skin and hair.
• Steatocystomas are generally found on the neck, torso, upper arms, and upper legs.
When Dr. Pimple Popper's trusty scalpel makes an appearance at the start of a video, you're rarely certain what's going to come next. In some cases, you might be about to encounter a ravioli-size neck cyst, while in others, you might get a giant, juicy lipoma. It's all part of the fun. In her newest Instagram video, dermatologist and TLC host Dr. Sandra Lee, MD, hones in on yet another dermatological mystery—a large, raised bump that she suspects could be a steatocystoma.
What is a steatocystoma?
A steatocystoma—also known as a steatocystoma multiplex—is a pretty harmless benign cyst filled with sebum, a substance that lubricates skin and hair and is produced by the body's sebaceous glands, according to the National Institute of Health. Or as Dr. Lee puts it more colorfully in the video, "It's a type of cyst that produces oil," she says. "It looks like melted butter when it comes out." They're generally found on the neck, torso, upper arms, and upper legs, and tend be more common among adolescents as they're going through puberty. Some dermatologists believe that a mutation in the gene responsible for producing keratin may be to blame.
How do you treat a steatocystoma?
You're pretty much looking at it. There are several surgical options for removing steatocystomas, the most common of which involves making a tiny incision and draining the butter-like contents, as Dr. Lee demonstrates in the video above. There are also laser, cryotherapy, and electrosurgical options, according to DermNet. Oral antibiotics can also help reduce the size in the short-term, but to remove a steatocystoma entirely, you'll likely need to see a professional.
