LipomasLipomas

A lipoma is a benign growth of fatty tissue just under the skin, affecting roughly one person in every thousand. It usually feels soft and doughy, moves readily when pressed, and appears most often on the neck, shoulders, back, abdomen, arms or thighs. The large majority are painless and require no treatment. A soft, mobile lump is characteristic of a lipoma, but it is not exclusive to one, so a new lump should not simply be assumed to be a lipoma. A lump that feels firm or fixed, grows quickly or hurts is evaluated before removal is discussed. When removal is chosen at Wall Street Dermatology, it is performed as a surgical excision under local anesthesia through a small incision and takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size and location. Dr. Julia Tzu plans the incision and uses layered closure with the visible result in mind. Because the fatty tissue is removed intact, recurrence at the treated site is rare.

4 min read · Last updated: 2026-01-29 · Reviewed by Dr. Julia Tzu , MD, FAAD, FACMS

• Lipomas are very common, affecting approximately 1 in every 1,000 people [1]
• Lipomas are benign (non-cancerous) and typically do not require treatment unless bothersome [2]
• Lipomas tend to run in families, suggesting a genetic component [1]
• Lipomas rarely return after complete surgical removal [3]
• Lipomas have a slightly higher incidence in males and are most often noted between ages 40-60 [4]

• Soft, doughy lump under the skin
• Easily movable with slight finger pressure
• Rubbery texture (not hard)
• Usually painless
• Typically less than 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter
• May be painful if pressing on nerves
• Slow-growing over years

• Any new lump or swelling anywhere on the body, so it can be identified rather than assumed
• A lump growing or changing
• A lump that turned painful or tender
• A lump that feels firm, hard, or fixed in place, which is unlike a typical lipoma
• Several lumps appearing over a short period, which occasionally indicates an inherited tendency
• Cosmetic concern about how the lump looks, particularly on the neck, shoulders or arms
• A lump positioned where it rubs against clothing, a strap, or a waistband, or restricts movement

Have questions about lipomas? Our team is here to help.

• Genetic predisposition (tends to run in families)
• Inherited conditions that cause multiple lipomas
• Exact cause of individual lipomas unknown
• Trauma may occasionally trigger formation

We offer a service to help manage this condition: Lipoma Removal .

• Excellent prognosis as lipomas are benign
• Lipomas rarely return after complete surgical removal
• Another lipoma may develop in a different location
• No transformation to cancer (liposarcoma is a separate condition)
• Same-day outpatient procedure for removal

Triple board-certified cosmetic and surgical dermatologist · Manhattan's Financial District

Trained at Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Penn & NYU

✓ Intact removal through a small incision with layered closure

Dr. Julia Tzu treats lipoma removal as a cosmetic procedure, not just an extraction. She plans each removal carefully, removes the fatty tissue intact through a small incision, and uses layered closure to keep scarring minimal – especially on visible areas.

More About Dr. Tzu →

1. What are the symptoms of Lipomas?
2. When should you seek care for Lipomas?
3. What causes Lipomas?
4. How are Lipomas treated?
5. Prognosis
6. FAQs
7. Sources

This article draws from 5 peer-reviewed sources.

• [4] NCBI StatPearls – Lipoma
• [5] NCBI StatPearls – Lipoma Pathology

• [1] Cleveland Clinic – Lipomas
• [2] Mayo Clinic – Lipoma Symptoms and Causes
• [3] Mayo Clinic – Lipoma Diagnosis and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Dr. Julia Tzu , MD, FAAD, FACMS · Last reviewed: 2026-08-31