A lipoma is a benign fatty tumor measuring 5 to 7 centimeters in diameter. While surgery is effective in removing it, natural methods have also been proven effective. Which ones? Let’s take a closer look.

This tumor is composed of fatty tissue that develops from excess fat. It’s estimated that lipomas affect 2% of the French population. Although often benign, nearly 25,000 procedures are performed annually, primarily due to their unsightly appearance. But what about gentle, natural methods?

Definition: What is a lipoma?
A lipoma is a benign tumor composed of fatty tissue. It is a fairly common condition that affects both men and women, and less frequently children. It can occur at any age but is more common after the age of 40.

How can you tell if a lipoma is malignant?
A diagnosis must be made by your family doctor or dermatologist, who is the only person qualified to determine whether a lump is a lipoma. Your doctor may order a biopsy to ensure it’s not malignant.

Subcutaneous lipomas and lipomatosis… What are the types of lipomas?
As mentioned, a lipoma is a benign tumor composed of fatty tissue. There are different types of lipomas, but the most common is the subcutaneous lipoma, which forms a lump under the skin. This “fatty lump” results from the multiplication (and proliferation) of fatty tissue, which serves as a storage site for fat in the body.

Back, thigh, arm, neck, abdomen… Where is a lipoma found?
Lipomas—or “fatty lumps”—can appear anywhere on the body: on the scalp, back, breasts, arms or forearms, neck, and even face. The term lipomatosis is used when a person has multiple lipomas on their body.

Can a lipoma be painful?
In the vast majority of cases, a lipoma is asymptomatic: it causes no symptoms and is painless. However, experts estimate that this benign fatty tumor is painful in 25% of cases. This may be the case if the lipoma is located near a nerve, causing nerve pain.

Note: Less commonly, a nerve fibrolipoma (also called a hamartomatous fibrolipoma) develops, which corresponds to the development of a lipoma within a nerve, causing pain and paresthesia (pins and needles). Even less frequently (in less than 1% of cases), a lipoma develops in a joint (particularly the knee), and the pain is mechanical in nature, occurring during movement.

How can you tell if a lipoma is benign or malignant?
A lipoma is defined as a “non-cancerous soft tissue tumor,” so there’s no need to panic. However, a dermatologist should be consulted if the lipoma becomes painful, changes appearance (for example, grows, changes color, or becomes deformed), becomes hard to the touch, moves (if it “rolls” under your fingers), or is immobile (if it “seems” stuck to the tissue). Lipomas only become cancerous in very rare cases!

Between thighs, hands, arms… How and why should you remove that lump of fat?
Surgical treatment to remove a lipoma.
Sometimes, for reasons that aren’t fully understood, a lipoma disappears on its own. Although lipomas are usually painless, patients may wish to have them removed if they are unsightly, especially if they are several centimeters in size. There are three possible treatments for lipomas:

To perform a lipectomy, which is the surgical removal of the mass, the lipoma is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Liposuction is also an option, but it carries a higher risk of lipoma recurrence.
If surgery is not possible, corticosteroids can be injected directly into the lipoma to gradually shrink it.
Essential oil, sage, honey… How can you get rid of it naturally?
Once your doctor confirms the presence of a lipoma, the patient may consider other treatment options. In addition to these methods, liver detoxification is recommended.

Atlas cedar essential oil: It has a lipolytic effect, which means it promotes fat breakdown. It can be combined with rosemary, ravintsara, and helichrysum essential oils at a 10% dilution with a carrier oil. Apply the mixture directly to the lipoma with a cotton ball, repeating this process two or three times daily for two weeks.
Honey compress: Honey is known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Apply a mixture of equal parts honey and flour directly to the lipoma, then cover with a bandage and leave for 24 hours, then repeat the treatment until the mass disappears.
Sage ointment: Simply mix one teaspoon of dried sage with three tablespoons of flaxseed oil. Apply the mixture directly to the lipoma. However, be aware of the potential interactions of flaxseed oil with certain medications, especially anticoagulants and high blood pressure medications. Consult your doctor before use.
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