Seborrheic Keratosis
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ACV for Seborrheic Keratosis: Keratolytic Action and Safety Guides

| Modified on May 30, 2026
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The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Daniel (Toronto) on 04/30/2023
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Apple Cider Vinegar for Seborrheic Keratosis

This works. My doctor first suggested cutting it off. I asked to try freezing it which she did, saying it would probly take a couple of treatments to completely remove it because of the size. It worked for the most part but there was still some it remaining. I never bothered to go back but instead tried the ACV which I read about. I dabbed my SK, which was on my scalp, 2-3 times a day with a Q-tip saturated with ACV. In a week it started to dry out and get a little crumbly on the edges which gave me hope it was doing something. Within the next week little pieces could be picked off, and it quickly resembled a small scab that eventually came off. 2-3 weeks of ACV and it was gone. I'm astonished at how well it worked to be honest. Why doctors don't recommend this is a mystery. Somebody needs to do a study to confirm what so many of us already know by experience.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Paul (Milwaukee) on 06/25/2021
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Unbelievable I am so happy!

My Seborrheic Keratosis WAS located on my scalp above my right temple and was starting to show through my hair line. Over the last two years it has grown from dime size to a monstrous half-dollar sized ugly brown spot.

I set up a dermatologist appointment but he was booked for over a month so I still would be waiting two more weeks until the removal appointment. Being impatient I started doing research and found this site with all the reviews about removing the seborrheic keratosis with apple cider vinegar.

I applied the Apple Cider Vinegar that I found in our cabinet and started applying it with a Q-Tip 3-4 times per day.

It has been a bit over two weeks of treatment and literally like 10 minutes ago I went into the bathroom to check it out because it felt itchy and about 80% of the seborrheic keratosis just peeled off my head leaving behind perfectly healthy skin underneath.

A truly miracle of a treatment. Saved me hundreds of dollars and hair loss from the treatment the dermatologist would have done.

100% recommended. I literally can't believe it. I never do holistic medicine or at home remedies. Glad I tried it!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by RB (Somewhere in Europe) on 04/20/2022 97 posts
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

There was a Seborrheic Keratosis (SK) in the center of my forehead that - under magnification - looked a bit like a cauliflower - similar to the image I am attaching to this post. While its diameter was only 3 mm, it was not only ugly, but it was also growing, pretty aggressively, at the rate of 0.5 mm per month.

Initially I tried the Band-Aid Method. For a couple of weeks I covered my SK with one of the sticky parts of a Band-Aid, so the air couldn't get to it. On the positive side, my SK did regress. However, on the negative side A) I had to wear the tape all day, and B) this Band-Aid Method was not fast enough or me.

So I bought some (organic, unsulfured, 5%) Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and, for exactly 11 days, I applied it with a Q-Tip, 3 to 6 times per day.

I could tell right away that the ACV Method was working on my SK. Almost immediately my SK began to shrink and turn from light brown to black. As a function of time, my SK kept getting smaller and darker. And then, on day 11 of this ACV treatment, my SK simply dropped off, or peeled off, leaving behind nothing but perfectly healthy skin. There was no crater, indentation, and or pain.

All in all, this ACV Method was a true miracle of a treatment. It saved me from cryosurgery and or the scalpel of a dermatologist.

Therefore I wholeheartedly recommend the ACV Method; I am glad that I tried it; and of course it doesn't hurt to try it. However, please keep in mind that the diagnosis of SK is not enough; there are 10 or so different kinds of SK; and the ACV Method will not work on every kind of SK.

I hope someone will be able to use this!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Njd (Nj) on 04/16/2016
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Just adding my results here for anyone interested. I had a seborrheic keratosis on the side of my head. It first appeared out of nowhere about 1.5 years ago as what looked like a small flat discoloration (light brown). Over the course of 1.5 years it slowly grew in size, eventually became raised, and the color turned from light brown to dark brown. Like many seborrheic keratosis, it was also bumpy. I went to two dermatologists within a 1 year span to get opinions. The first one said not to bother with it unless it bothered me (at that time it didn't bother me, but as it grew to about 2cm in dia and became darker/raised, it did bother me). The 2nd dermatologist wanted to cut it off. Both said it would scar if cut off and I would not have hair regrowth in that area. It didn't seem to bother them, because they wouldn't be the ones walking around with a nickel sized bald spot on the side of their head. Neither suggested freezing it, or any other alternatives. Cutting/removing was the only way.

Frustrated, I came online to look for remedies. I tried tea tree oil, and that appeared to be working, but it was a VERY slow process. I read on this site about the Apple Cider Vinegar, so that morning I stopped at ShopRite and got a bottle of (their brand, $1.49) ACV. I dipped a q-tip in it and applied it when I could, but on average probably 3-5 times a day.

Literally, within 3 days the seborrheic keratosis had dried up into a scab-like form. By the end of the 3rd day it was partially peeling already. After 5 days, with my help, it came off completely. After, I did scrub it while in the shower to make sure it was all gone. What was left underneath was a reddish spot. At that time I stopped the ACV and switched to Neosporin twice daily. Today is the 8th day since I began with the ACV. The spot is healing nicely. It is still pink/reddish, but I imagine that will take a while to blend in. Will keep an eye on it, but I think I am cured. Very relieved as I will not be losing a chunk of my hair, and the unsightly growth is gone! Hopefully this helps someone else out there! No more anxiety of having to have a bald spot on the side of my head!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Marina (Australia) on 09/19/2018
 ★★★★★

I'm another ACV success story. I have a few spots under my breast and the dermatologist couldn't do anything for them. I successfully removed one a year ago by rubbing ACV on the spot for 20 minutes a couple of times during the day. It made it look worse before it looked better. I only tried one spot that was the darkest, the largest, the oldest and the most raised to test it because I was worried it may get infected given its location. It was red raw and and seepy for a few days so I placed pieces of cotton fabric to soak up the moisture and keep the area clean and dry. It took a couple of weeks but it healed nicely and apart from a bit of slightly darker area surrounding the spot, there is not much evidence it even existed, despite me having it for ten years. I'm now repeating the process on the rest of them all at once this year. It's a little uncomfortable and it burns a little but nothing unbearable. I prefer a little pain than the constant itch I had from them rubbing on my underwire bra. As I experienced last year, they should heal up and get itchy one more time before they disappear forever.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dennis (Springfield, Ma) on 04/11/2018
 ★★★★★

I had a seborrheic keratosis on my left cheek just below my eye. About the size of a pencil eraser, it has been there for about ten years. It was unsightly, but also subject to cutting when I shaved. I read about the apple cider vinegar treatment and although skeptical, gave it a try. Well I can tell you, I was amazed at how well this worked. With 2 applications a day for about a half hour each, in 10 days the thing is 95 % gone. Total cost for ACV and cotton pads was less than $10.00. We'll see if it comes back, but I'll start treating it right away. Thanks so much for the advise.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kd2017 (Atlanta, Ga) on 04/03/2017
 ★★★★★

I tend to be skeptical of natural cures until now. I had a Seborrheic Keratosis on my bra line for about 7 or 8 years. I figured there was nothing I could do and it would always be embarrassing. My husband is obsessed with Apple Cider Vinegar so much that we kid that if we stun our toe, just out some Apple Cider Vinegar on it. Anyway, I decided to give it a try. I soaked a cotton ball in it and applied overnight with bandage tape. I also put on Vaseline/Neosporin around the healthy skin so it wouldn't bother it. The first and second night of stuff. I made it like a hour the second night. But the thing started turning white. Sure enough, on day 4 it started to rub off after a shower. By day 7, the thing was not there anymore. It's two months past and it is still gone. Just wanted to report in case someone else wanted to give it a try. Now my husband loves acv even more. Ha!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Marinne (Uk) on 12/20/2014
 ★★★★★

I have to sing the praises of Apple Cider Vinegar. I had a keratosis on my face for years and it really bothered me. My GP told me it was what happens with age and to live with it. Then I discovered this website and tried the ACV treatment. I soaked a piece of cotton wool in neat ACV and taped it on my face overnight. I removed it in the morning. it started to go a bit blacker and chip off and then eventually after about 3 months of doing this daily it disappeared. I felt liberated from my barnacle. I wonder why GPs don't know about these things? When I told my GP, he said there aren't any studies on the use of ACV so he couldn't recommend it even if he knew about it. it annoys me pharmaceutical companies dictate healthcare and limit us. I'm so glad to have found this site!!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Steve (Durham, UK) on 03/04/2018
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I have had one large area of Seborrhoea Keratosis on my face for nearly 20 years, growing slowly att the time, another one appeared above my eye brow last year, growing quickly. I had them both checked out by my Doctor and specialist, not harmful and no real treatment.

I read about Apple Cider Vinegar and started to apply with a cotton wool ball twice a day, the new growth above the eye brown completely disappeared within 3 weeks, the longer standing growth, after 3 months, most of it has gone and is probably about 10% of what it was and continues to reduce...amazing results!!!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jackiesprat (Los Angeles) on 09/03/2016
 ★★★★★

I was diagnosed with a Seborrhoeic Keratosis by a dermatologist. She said there was nothing she could do aside from surgery that would scar and it was benign. I went to Earth Clinic and found someone who applied Apple Cider Vinegar 3-5 times a day. I poured some Apple Cider Vinegar in a widemouth jar and put q-tips nearby it so whenever I passed it, I'd apply it. Applied Apple Cider Vinegar 3-8 times a day. The first 2-3 weeks, there were times it sort of itched and I would scratch it and pull off a layer of skin. I applied undiluted apple cider vinegar and it stung a bit, then as the weeks went on, there would be no stinging. I think this is when it was fully gone. I still apply the ACV just in case, but I see no more seborrheoic keratosis. I love Earth Clinic and am so thankful for other people's experiences, other wise I'd have some big ol' growth on my face.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Gillian (United Kingdom) on 08/22/2017
 ★★★★★

Tortured with this unsightly seborrheic keratosis (sk) for 10 yrs now- hospital wouldnt touch it as it was on my chest area an would leave a dimple/scar on my breast if removed. Found Apple Cider Vinegar home remedy-bottle of magic- I've been treating my sk since end of june and its disappearing before my very eyes!

Mine was quite deep and over 1 cm almost 2 in size hence it has taken a couple of months- I expect 2 be sk free in a matter of wks-perhaps a light reddish brown mark will be left but I'll take that over the unsightly almost deep black pitted thing I once had! Highly recommend the Apple Cider Vinegar route.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Rick (Potomac, Md) on 11/19/2015
 ★★★★★

Seborrheic Keratosis:

I had a spot about the size of a half dollar, raised 1/4 inch, on my temple under my hairline. I had a much smaller spot on the other side of my temple, but since it was under my hairline I didn't worry about this one. I have oily skin and play a lot of tennis and the spots occurred right where my cap fit an inch above eye level - coincidence? Maybe irritated the hat? I now try to play without a hat if possible.

After reading many posts on the subject I started using Apple Cider Vinegar on October 13, 2015 three times per day diluted 1:1 with no bandaid - I just blotted it. The progression went to the size of a quarter, then nickle, dime, and it disappeared completely on November 17. This is after a liquid nitrogen treatment a year ago did nothing. Great stuff and only cost $1.25! What a safe, easy, and inexpensive way for getting rid of it.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Teriinttown (Tacoma, Wa) on 05/27/2016
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

My Irish Dad, was covered with these barnacles (seborrheic keratosis) of all colors. I was horrified when a first large black one appeared on my back. Earth Clinic to the rescue! I used apple cider vinegar 2 or three times a day for about 5 days and the thing just peeled off like a sticker leaving nice clean skin underneath. My advice is maintenance. Use ACV as soon as they appear before you look like the bottom of a barge.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Alan (Bedfordshire) on 01/08/2018
 ★★★★★

Acv worked a treat on 'senile wart'.

I had one of these on my temple, about a centimetre in diameter. Applied Apple Cider Vinegar on cotton wool then stuck it on with a plaster, felt a slight burning at times so assumed it was doing something. After 7 days I put after sun lotion on it which softened it then it peeled off like magic. I was sceptical at first but happy and surprised with the results.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Marshall (Worldwide) on 01/01/2023
 ★★★★★

It only took a week for apple cider vinegar to clear up my seborrheic keratosis. Dab vinegar on it 3 times a day. I didn't need to cover it up.


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