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Not an emergency service. If you or someone else is seriously unwell — for example chest pain, breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding or collapse — call 999. For urgent advice when it is not life-threatening, call NHS 111.

Recovery & Aftercare Guide

Cyst removal

Removal of a sebaceous or epidermoid cyst, including its lining, under local anaesthetic.

Important. Your individual instructions from your treating clinician take precedence over this general information. If anything here differs from what your clinician has told you, follow your clinician’s advice and contact the hospital if you are unsure.

Overview

A cyst is a sac under the skin containing keratin. Removing the sac wall as well as the contents reduces the chance of it returning.

Cysts are removed when they are enlarging, uncomfortable, catching on clothing, repeatedly inflamed, or cosmetically bothersome.

Expect around 60 minutes in the treatment room. The wound is closed with stitches, usually removed after 7 to 14 days.

Before your procedure

  • Tell the team about anticoagulants, antiplatelets and any other medicines. Do not stop prescribed medicine unless instructed.
  • Mention allergies to local anaesthetic, plasters or antiseptics.
  • If the cyst is currently red, hot and painful it may be infected. Contact the clinic before your appointment, as an actively infected cyst is usually treated first and removed later.
  • Eat and drink normally.
  • Wear clothing giving easy access to the area.

What happens on the day

  1. The area is cleaned, marked and injected with local anaesthetic.
  2. The cyst is removed through a small incision, with the clinician taking care to remove the sac lining intact where possible.
  3. The space left behind is closed with stitches, sometimes in more than one layer for deeper cysts.
  4. A dressing is applied and the tissue is sent for laboratory analysis.
  5. You go home the same day with written aftercare.

Aftercare

Pain

Moderate soreness for 24 to 48 hours is common, particularly for larger or deeper cysts. Simple over-the-counter pain relief per the packet is usually sufficient.

Bruising and swelling

Expect some bruising and firmness around the site for 1 to 2 weeks.

Dressings

Keep dry and in place for 48 hours, then change as instructed.

Bathing

Dry for 48 hours, then shower and pat dry. No baths or swimming until fully healed.

Activity

Avoid stretching the area. Cysts on the back, shoulder or scalp are under more tension and need more care.

Exercise and lifting

Avoid heavy lifting, gym work and contact sport for about 2 weeks, longer for larger cysts or those on the trunk.

Work

Desk work usually the next day. Manual work may need several days.

Follow-up

Stitches out at 7 to 14 days. Results discussed when available, normally within 2 weeks.

Typical recovery timeline

Timings are typical and vary between individuals.
WhenWhat to expect
First 48 hoursSoreness and swelling peak. Keep the dressing dry and rest the area.
Days 3 to 7Discomfort settles. Bruising may spread downwards before fading.
Days 7 to 14Stitches removed. Firmness under the scar is normal.
Weeks 2 to 6Firmness gradually softens. Scar is pink.
3 to 12 monthsScar fades and flattens.

Red flags — when to seek help

These lists are not exhaustive. Trust your judgement and seek advice if you are worried.

Emergency Call 999 or go to your nearest emergency department

  • Bleeding that does not stop after 10 minutes of firm pressure
  • Severe or rapidly worsening pain
  • Feeling generally unwell with a high temperature, shivering or confusion

Contact us Contact the hospital, or call NHS 111 out of hours

  • Spreading redness from the wound
  • Increasing swelling, heat or throbbing after 48 hours
  • Pus or foul-smelling discharge
  • Wound edges separating
  • A lump returning at the same site

Tower Bridge Hospital, 97–99 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1DT. Telephone 020 7916 0029. If in doubt and the situation is not life-threatening, call NHS 111.

Frequently asked questions

Can the cyst come back?

It can if any of the sac lining remains. Removing the lining intact makes recurrence less likely but not impossible.

Why can an infected cyst not be removed straight away?

Operating on actively infected tissue increases the risk of a poor scar and further infection. Infection is usually settled first.

Will there be a lump under the scar?

Firmness under a healing scar is normal for several weeks as the space closes.

Is the cyst sent for testing?

Yes, removed tissue is normally sent for laboratory analysis.

More information

Clinical reviewer
Dr Haydar Bolat, Clinical Director
Review date
21 July 2026
Review by
21 July 2027
Version
1.0
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