Cyst Treatment and Keloid Treatment from a Memphis Dermatologist

George Woodbury
9 minutes ago
5 min read

by George Woodbury Jr. M.D. (11/02/2025)

Cordova Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury discussing Keloid treatment and Cyst Treatment options — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury in his Cordova Tennessee office

If you or a family member has a new nodule in your skin, now’s a great time to get the lesion diagnosed by a Board- certified Dermatologist. This nodule could be a Cyst, the result of a skin infection, or a type of scar tissue called a Keloid. Let’s take a look at why it’s important to get cysts treated, from my perspective as a Memphis Dermatologic Surgeon, since 1993.

Young man with an infected cyst on his back likely needing an incision and drainage procedure by a Dermatologic Surgeon — Young man with a Cyst also called a Sebaceous Cyst or Epidermal cyst on his back

First: what is a cyst?

A cyst, or sebaceous cyst, or pilar cyst, happens because the body either expels an infected gland to the skin surface, causing an abscess or boil, or the body contains that infection, by building a type of cyst sack around it. The result is a skin nodule.

A Cyst in the skin can be a Sebaceous Cyst or a Pilar Cyst and often needs to be checked by the lab for Basal Cell Carcinoma a type of skin cancer — A Cyst on a man's back namely the consequence of a clogged pore

The problem is that a cyst sack is at risk of leakage or rupture if it gets traumatized, leading to an active skin infection, a type of skin emergency. If a cyst is actively infected, Dermatologists like myself generally do what’s called an incision and drainage, putting a shot into the cyst, then making a cut into it, allowing the pus to drain.

It’s ideal later to get the cyst sack removed, with a cyst excision: the cyst is numbed up or anesthetized, with a local shot, then cut out, the site frequently being closed with stiches.

Removal of a Cyst will often lead to a scar and sometimes to a Keloid scar needing treatment — An example of a keloid or keloid scar developing from a Cyst Excision

This excision procedure leaves a scar, and sometimes even a raised scar called a Keloid, so we Dermatologists advise the patient whether it’s best to completely remove the cyst with stitches. The advantage is that the lesion can be sent off to the Dermatopathology Laboratory to be checked for skin cancer: the lesion might actually be a cystic Basal Cell Skin Cancer or Basal Cell Carcinoma or even a Melanoma. If a scar or Keloid results from the excision, we can then treat the site later with steroid injections to reduce the scar.

A Keloid or a Keloid Scar on a person's shoulder — A keloid or keloid scar sometimes results from removal of a lesion like a Cyst or a Skin Cancer

Secondly, what is a keloid?

A Keloid is a collection of dense scar tissue, sometimes also called a Keloid scar. Keloids, or keloid scars, are more common among certain racial and ethnic groups, particularly African-Americans and Asians, but they can certainly be encountered by anyone who has trauma to his or her skin. And Keloids are often painful or itchy, so it often helps to get a Keloid treated early. Keloid treatment often involves use of prescription topical (meaning for use on top of the skin) steroid creams and or ointments, sometimes use of topical Silicone Gel or cream, and sometimes a number of steroid injections into the Keloid by the Dermatologist. Sometimes we also treat Keloids by cutting them out, with Dermatologic Surgery, then injecting the area afterwards with steroids. Sometimes a series of radiation treatments is helpful, also called Radiotherapy. So if you’re considering a Keloid removal near me, it would be best to get in touch with a Dermatologist.

Scarlet Akins developed Melanoma during pregnancy — Scarlet Akins was 26 years old when she developed a Melanoma or Malignant Melanoma on her knee

More information?

A best first move is a consultation with a Board-certified Dermatologist for a skin check-up, an especially high priority for people with skin lesions that could be cancerous. Check out “Understanding the Melanoma Crisis: Scarlet’s Story,’ a 2018 movie sponsored by my Dermatology practice on Youtube.

My own Memphis Dermatology practice is with Rheumatology and Dermatology (www.Rheumderm.com), in Memphis, TN, near Germantown, Bartlett, and Arlington (8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova TN 38018 1-901-753-0168). Or you could find a Board-certified Dermatologist close to you, or a “Best Dermatologist Near Me,” or “Best Dermatologists Near Me,” by going to the American Academy of Dermatology’s “Find a Dermatologist” site (AAD.org). Plug in your zip code, and you’ll get a list of Dermatologists near you.

Cordova Dermatologist advising a young patient about Melanoma — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury counseling a young man about Cysts and Keloids and Skin Cancer

After 25 years of practicing dermatology, in 2016 I decided to establish a skincare products company - Big River Silk Skincare™ Inc. – to manufacture and distribute organic skincare products for people going onto prescription therapies. I incorporated cleansers and moisturizers that my family of Woodbury Dermatologists has used for years for Tennessee and Arkansas Dermatology patients: AmberSoy™ Soap Gel and GlycoShea™ Facial&Neck Lotion. a type of Exfoliating moisturizer or Exfoliant.

AmberSoy Soap Gel is a soft glycerine cleanser well suited to people with combination skin or oily skin — AmberSoy Soap Gel can be used as an Acne Wash of an Acne Mask due to its soft glycerine nature

AmberSoy Soap Gel is a great cleanser option for people with oily or combination skin. It can be used as a type of face mask, or Acne Wash, or Acne Mask, wherein it’s applied to the skin, then left on for 5-10 minutes. Available in 1 oz ($14.95), 2 oz ($22.95), and 8 oz ($74.95), it comes in Mint, Lemon, and No Fragrance Added, with no dyes, formaldehyde, nor propylene glycol.

GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion contains an Alpha Hydroxy Acid called Glycolic Acid making it helpful as an Exfoliant for people with Acne and Keratosis Pilaris and Wrinkles — The acctive Exfoliating Moisturizer ingredient in GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion is Glycolic Acid married with Refined Shea Butter

GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion is a helpful fragrance-free exfoliating moisturizer that acts as a face scrub, due to its Glycolic Acid, an AHA or Alpha-hydroxy Acid originally discovered in pineapple. It also helps to even out the appearance of fine lines in the skin, making it into an effective anti-wrinkle cream. 1 oz ($45.95), 2 oz ($68.95), and 8 oz ($229.95).

Couple applyingGlycolic Acid with Refined Shea Butter as a rejuvenation moisturizer through GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion — Couple applying Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Moisturizer as an Antiwrinkle Cream

Big River Silk Skincare’s AmberSoy Soap Gel and GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion are available for over-the-counter purchase at our headquarters, 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova TN 38018, Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. They can also be ordered at www.Bigriversilkskincare.com (shipping: $7.50 for orders under $75.00; $12.50 handling and shipping for Canadian orders under $75.00). 1-901-753-0168.