A Melbourne woman, Steph Warkotsch, has issued a public warning after a simple blemish on her face turned out to be far more serious than she originally thought. What she believed to be a harmless pimple ended up requiring surgery and 30 stitches.
Steph, 30, first noticed the mark on her left cheek in October last year. Initially, she assumed it was a hormonal pimple, something she had experienced before. However, despite trying various treatments like face masks and cold compresses to draw it out, the mark only grew larger and more painful over time.
“I thought it was just a spot, but as I was trying to get rid of it and it kept growing, I started to worry,” Steph shared. The pain became unbearable, preventing her from sleeping and making it difficult to lie on her left side. As the blemish continued to swell, Steph sought medical advice from her GP, who prescribed antibiotics. Yet, even after four weeks of treatment, the blemish showed no signs of improvement. By November, it had grown to the size of a 10-cent coin.
Upon further consultation, Steph’s GP decided to send her for an ultrasound, which revealed that the mark wasn’t just a pimple. Instead, it was a deep-rooted sebaceous cyst, a benign growth filled with keratin and cell debris, often found on the face. The cyst had become embedded in the bone and sinuses beneath her skin.
Sebaceous cysts are generally harmless and slow-growing, but they can cause discomfort and, if left untreated, can lead to infection. Medical professionals typically recommend surgical removal to avoid recurrence. While some may opt for draining the cyst, this is only a temporary solution and doesn’t guarantee that the cyst won’t come back.
Steph was advised by a skin cancer specialist that the best course of action was surgery. In mid-November, she underwent a 30-minute procedure to remove the cyst, costing her $450 (£229.41). The surgery was successful, but Steph required 30 stitches. Fortunately, the surgical team made sure to align the stitches with her natural smile line, which would help the scar heal more smoothly.
Despite the relief of having the cyst removed, the sight of her stitched-up face was a shock. “When I first saw my face post-surgery, I just cried. I thought I’d be scarred for life,” she said. However, the scar is slowly healing, and she’s been following the clinic’s instructions on wound care.
Steph documented her experience on TikTok, where her videos went viral, with one video racking up more than nine million views. Now, she hopes to warn others about the dangers of misjudging facial marks.
“I wanted to warn others that a ‘spot’ might not always be a blemish,” Steph emphasized. “You should always seek professional help, especially when it comes to your face.”
Steph’s ordeal serves as a reminder of the importance of not ignoring unusual skin changes, particularly those on the face, and to seek medical advice if something doesn’t feel right.
