Dermatosis papulosa nigra, often called DPN, is something many people notice gradually over time. Small dark bumps may appear on the face or neck and slowly increase in number, even though nothing feels wrong with the skin.
This condition is benign and very common, especially in individuals with darker skin tones. While DPN doesn’t pose a health risk, many people choose to have the lesions evaluated or removed because of how they look or how they feel on the skin.
Benign dark papules common in darker skin tones
Cheeks, around the eyes, temples, neck, chest
Smoother, clearer-looking skin with minimal scarring
What Is Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra?
Dermatosis papulosa nigra is a benign skin condition characterized by multiple small, dark-raised lesions that develop on the surface of the skin.
Appearance:
Common locations:
DPN lesions are a variant of seborrheic keratosis and share similar benign characteristics, even though they may look different.
Who Gets Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra?
DPN is a condition that primarily affects individuals with darker skin tones.
Prevalence:
When it develops: During the teenage years, the lesions usually start appearing and will increase in number with age. Most people notice more lesions developing over time, which is a normal progression of the condition.
Why Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra Develops
The exact cause of dermatosis papulosa nigra is unknown, but genetics plays a significant role.
Genetic connection: Up to 50% of individuals with DPN have a family history of the condition. If your parents or siblings have DPN, you’re more likely to develop it as well.
What does NOT cause DPN:
DPN is simply part of how some people’s skin naturally develops over time, particularly in individuals with higher melanin content.
How DPN Can Affect Appearance
While DPN doesn’t cause pain or health problems, it can still affect how people feel about their skin.
Patients often mention:
These concerns are very common and completely valid. Wanting smoother-looking skin is a personal and reasonable choice — treatment is never about medical necessity with DPN, but about personal preference and comfort.
What to Expect During a Consultation
A consultation at Lazaderm is focused on evaluation, education, and comfort.
During your visit, your provider will:
If removal is recommended, the process and healing timeline will be explained clearly before any treatment begins.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Removal of DPN lesions can improve skin smoothness and appearance, but it’s important to understand what treatment can and cannot do.
What to understand:
Critical consideration: It is very important to choose a provider who has experience treating DPN lesions, especially in darker skin tones. If not treated correctly, removal may lead to scarring and pigmentation changes that can be more noticeable than the original lesions.
The goal is clearer, smoother-looking skin while maintaining overall skin health.
Treatment for dermatosis papulosa nigra is not medically required, but when removal is desired, the technique matters significantly. Different methods carry different risks, particularly for darker skin tones. A consultation allows your provider to confirm the diagnosis and recommend the safest, most effective approach.
Radiofrequency treatment using the Ellman Surgitron is a preferred method for removing DPN lesions.
How it works: The Surgitron uses radiofrequency energy to precisely destroy the lesions while causing minimal trauma to surrounding tissue.
Why it’s preferred:
Best for:
The Sciton Erbium Laser is another excellent option for treating DPN lesions.
How it works: The Erbium laser ablates (removes) the lesions with precision. It targets water in the tissue to vaporize the lesion while minimizing damage to surrounding skin.
Why it’s a good option:
Best for:
Other methods exist for DPN removal, though they may carry higher risks in certain situations.
Cryotherapy (Freezing): Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy lesions. While it can be effective, the side effects can be significant in darker skin tones, including hypopigmentation (lightening) or hyperpigmentation (darkening) of the treated area. For this reason, cryotherapy is generally not the preferred approach for DPN.
Electrocautery with Curettage: Some physicians use electrocautery combined with curettage (scraping) to remove lesions. This method may cause more damage to surrounding tissue than necessary and carries a higher risk of scarring, particularly in darker skin.
Why technique matters: The risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and scarring is higher in darker skin tones. Choosing a provider experienced in treating DPN with appropriate techniques significantly reduces these risks.
Proper aftercare is essential for optimal healing and minimizing pigmentation changes.
What to expect after treatment:
Aftercare guidelines:
Sun protection: Protecting treated areas from UV exposure is particularly important during healing to prevent pigmentation changes.
When it comes to DPN treatment, provider experience matters significantly.
Why this is critical: It is very important to choose a provider who has experience treating the lesions associated with dermatosis papulosa nigra. If not treated correctly, treatment may lead to:
What to look for:
At Lazaderm, our providers have experience treating DPN and understand the specific considerations required for darker skin tones.
If dermatosis papulosa nigra is something you’ve noticed or would like evaluated, a consultation can provide clarity and reassurance. At Lazaderm, consultations focus on education, safety, and respectful care — with particular attention to the unique considerations of your skin type.
