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Seborrheic Keratosis Can a Gel Clear It? The Real Evidence

Dr Finbar

1,573,859 views

📥 FREE GUIDE — The 5 minute skin check for 50+ YEARS OLD (self-check you'll actually do): https://www.drfinbarsskinclinic.com/5...

Seborrheic keratosis: a gel with real clinical-trial evidence that can reduce or even clear these stuck-on growths — no freezing, no procedures.

Seborrheic keratoses are one of the most common growths I see in clinic, and one of the most common frustrations too. Most people are told they are harmless and simply left at that. There is a topical gel with genuine clinical-trial evidence that rarely gets mentioned, and here is what it is and how strong that evidence really is.

What You'll Learn:
🔍 Why a gel made for sore joints turns out to have evidence behind it for these stuck-on growths
⚠️ The one check to do before you treat anything yourself, and the skin cancer that can mimic a seborrheic keratosis
✅ The two strengths used in the studies, and the clearance rates they actually reached
💡 What off-label prescribing means, and how to have that conversation with your own doctor

Research referenced in this video:
Aktas et al, Diclofenac gel may be a new treatment option for seborrheic keratosis, Indian Journal of Dermatology Online Journal, 2016
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27294...
Afify et al, Comparative evaluation of topical diclofenac sodium versus topical ibuprofen in the treatment of seborrheic keratosis, Dermatologic Therapy, 2020
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/1...
Abd El-Gawad, Kamel and Galal, Clinical and dermoscopic evaluation of seborrheic keratosis treated by diclofenac sodium gel, Journal of Research and Advances in Medicine, 2021
https://doi.org/10.21608/jram.2020.36...
Natarelli, Krenitsky, Hennessy, Moore and Grichnik, Efficacy and safety of topical treatments for seborrheic keratoses, a systematic review, Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2023
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36215...

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Subscribe for more honest, evidence-led skin guidance from a GP: @drfinbar

I am not paid by any company to recommend any product mentioned, and availability varies by region.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

#SeborrheicKeratosis #SkinHealth #SkinCare #Dermatology

20 Comments

@drfinbar Creator 2 months ago (edited) Pinned

Thank you for watching — this one has taken off far faster than I expected. A few things to know. The evidence for diclofenac gel on seborrheic keratosis is genuinely interesting but it comes from a small trial, so I’ve been careful not to oversell it — the full study is linked in the description if you want to read it yourself. And remember the golden rule: if you’re over 30 and a lesion is new, growing, scabbing or bleeding, don’t treat it at home — get it checked first by someone trained in skin. If you’re not sure whether your spot is even a seborrheic keratosis, watch this next: https://youtu.be/UXSJyXW1EHo?is=JpJHm7V9ycpuxDqn

@lluc-e2n 1 month ago

My husband had this until he had cancer treatment. They all went away then. A bonus.He got well, cancer free!

@ChrissieSM 2 months ago

Thank God, a real person and not AI. And I love the accent.

@cbpuzzle 1 month ago

I saw it on a guy who had normal arms, neck, face. Not a spot on him. He took his T-shirt off and it was crazy like a leopard under his shirt. Makes me think it's got something to do with getting regular sunlight / red light on the skin and vitamin D deficiency.

@Carolerobertson67 1 month ago (edited)

Mine completely went by accident. I had pulled my side so was using biofreeze pain relief gel and within a few weeks my skin was cleared of them. What a happy accident 😊

@jameswilcox6529 2 months ago

I had one the size of a fifty cent piece on my face around my temple I used apple cider vinegar two to three times a day I watched it shrink to nothing in about 4 months, and it has not come back been 4 years

@JonVarley-ed2yg 2 months ago (edited)

In the UK you can get Voltarol Max Strengh 12 hour, which is 2.32% diclofenac over the counter. I had a keratosis on my face (cheek) about 10mm diameter. I applied the gel 3 or 4 times a week and after a month the edges of the black area started to crumble and the area reduced. This continued and after about 3 months the keratosis completely disappeared. No scar or residual mark. 0:03

@barbaraMerigis 2 months ago

Wow! Only used for 3 days of it at 1% strength and multiple large Seborrheic keratosis have shrunk significantly, I wish I had taken a before and after photo, however, my back fat makes me happy I didn't take any photos and post it. So, impressed!

@a.hartmann1959 2 months ago

Honestly, I discovered that I can get rid of these by applying Castor oil, letting it "soak" and "scratching" the softened scales off. Then apply Castor oil again: repeat.... It gets down to the base level of tender skin and leaves no scar. At least, I did this to two of these on my face and can't even tell any more where they were exactly. I know scratching cells away isn't recommended, but I have always been a "scab scratcher" and it just came natural to me😅. Castor oil prevented any infection or inflammation....

@Guitarman-w4s 2 months ago

Already use voltaren on different skin conditions for years and allthough only 1% diclofenac most of the skin conditions disappeared in usually 2 to 3 months, even ugly big freckles disappeared.

@lauraseufert1651 2 months ago

Anecdotal note: I had my eyebrows waxed. There was a SK near my brow and some wax got on it. When the strip was pulled off the SK came off with it. It hurt like crazy, but SK is still gone several years later.

@Kirkyjo 2 months ago

Those thicker age spots disappear using wart remover. It basically chemically freezes them off. Takes about 4-5 days 😊

@katiecollison6629 2 months ago

I have had them for quite a few years,then about 2 years ago found a aloe vera bodywash that has since then slowly getting rid of them(it has to be 100 percent aloe) and recently started taking extra virgin olive oil and that's also helping them disappear 😊

@kelliott3767 2 months ago

I had on on my forehead and I carefully dabbed on Tea Tree oil, gone in a week.

@RichardWagenknecht 2 months ago

2.3% is available from Canada without a prescription.

@stormwalker321 2 months ago

What a nice dr, so genuine..and so understanding... so honest...

@OFP2 2 months ago (edited)

Neutrogena T/Gel Anti Dandruff Shampoo for Oily Scalp and Hair cleared it form my scalp Trying it on my back fingers crossed ❤

@warlord1754 2 months ago

I have had these since i was 40. One doctor thought i had cancer and i had to correct her because i have had these for 20 years with no health issues

@originalnickosiris 2 months ago

Advice for UK viewers: If your GP takes one look at your mystery growth and says it's an SK, nothing to worry about, gently but firmly request that they take a picture of it with a magnifying lens (they've got one) and send it to a specialist for confirmation. This should be standard practice but is sometimes skipped to save time.