Does cyst removal on the head hurt? What to Expect During and After

October 1, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a patient might feel a quick pinch or sting from a local anesthetic injection, but after that, cyst removal is not typically painful. A deep understanding of what happens during and after the procedure, including pain management, can help ease anxiety and set realistic expectations about whether cyst removal on the head hurts.

Quick Summary

While the initial pinch of the local anesthetic is the most significant sensation during cyst removal on the head, the procedure itself is typically painless and you may only feel some pressure as the cyst is removed. After the anesthesia wears off, mild discomfort is common and can be managed effectively with over-the-counter pain medication.

Key Points

Pre-Procedure Pain: Minimal, primarily a brief pinch from the local anesthetic injection.
During the Procedure: No pain is felt, only potential pressure or movement as the cyst is removed.
Post-Procedure Pain: Mild discomfort or soreness is common after the anesthetic wears off, lasting for a few days.
Pain Management: Over-the-counter pain medication is usually sufficient for managing post-operative discomfort.
Aftercare is Key: Following your doctor's instructions for wound care and activity is crucial for a smooth recovery and minimizing pain.
Professional Removal is Safest: Do not attempt to remove a cyst at home due to high risks of infection and incomplete removal.
Expectations Vary: The amount of discomfort can depend on the cyst's size, location, and the chosen removal method.

Understanding Cyst Removal on the Head

A cyst is a benign, closed pocket of tissue that can contain fluid, pus, or other material and can appear on the scalp. The two most common types of scalp cysts are pilar cysts, which develop around hair follicles, and epidermoid cysts, which form from the trapping of surface skin cells. Both are typically removed through a minor surgical procedure performed in a doctor’s office. This procedure is generally straightforward, but because it involves making an incision on the head, many people are concerned about the pain involved. Fortunately, advancements in local anesthesia have made the process highly manageable.

What to Expect During the Procedure

The procedure for removing a cyst from the head involves several key steps, all designed to minimize discomfort.

Numbing the Area: The most uncomfortable part of the entire process is often the initial injection of local anesthetic. Your doctor will first clean the area, then inject a numbing medication, such as lidocaine, around the cyst. You may feel a slight sting or pinch, but this sensation is brief. The area becomes completely numb shortly afterward, preventing you from feeling pain during the excision.
Making the Incision: Once the area is numb, the dermatologist or surgeon will make a small incision in the skin directly over the cyst. You will not feel this part due to the anesthetic. You might feel a sensation of pressure or movement, but it should not be painful. The incision is carefully planned to minimize scarring.
Removing the Cyst: The doctor then uses surgical tools to carefully remove the entire cyst and its sac or capsule. This is crucial for preventing the cyst from returning in the same spot. For inflamed or infected cysts, the procedure might be different, involving incision and drainage first.
Closing the Incision: After the cyst is removed, the skin is closed with stitches. These stitches may be dissolvable, or you may need to return to the clinic in 7 to 10 days to have them removed.

Comparison of Removal Methods


Feature	Surgical Excision	Incision and Drainage	Corticosteroid Injection
Effectiveness	Most definitive; removes entire cyst and sac, preventing recurrence.	Provides temporary relief by draining contents; higher risk of recurrence.	Reduces inflammation and swelling; does not remove cyst.
Pain During Procedure	Minimal pain after local anesthetic is applied.	Minimal pain after local anesthetic.	Minimal pain from the injection itself.
Recovery	Mild discomfort managed with OTC painkillers; stitches may need to be removed.	Area needs to heal and drain; risk of recurrence.	Minimal downtime; cyst may return.
Scarring	Possible, but proper technique can minimize visible scars.	Varies; risk of scarring from incision.	Minimal to no scarring.

Post-Procedure Pain and Management

Once the local anesthetic wears off, which typically takes a few hours, you may begin to feel some mild discomfort or soreness around the incision site. The severity of this pain can vary depending on the size and location of the cyst, but it is generally very manageable.

Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: For most patients, over-the-counter pain medication is sufficient to control any post-operative discomfort. Always consult your doctor before taking any medication, especially immediately following the procedure, as some medications can increase bruising or bleeding.
Keeping Your Head Elevated: To help reduce swelling, it is often recommended to keep your head elevated, even while sleeping. Using an extra pillow can be helpful.
Wound Care: Following your doctor's aftercare instructions is critical for a smooth recovery. This includes keeping the wound clean and dry for the specified period, and then washing it gently with mild soap and water. Avoiding strenuous activity for a period, as advised by your doctor, can also help minimize pain and promote healing.

Potential Complications

While cyst removal is a low-risk procedure, complications can occur. It is important to monitor the wound and know the signs that warrant contacting your healthcare provider.

Infection: Signs of infection include increasing redness, swelling, severe pain, or a foul-smelling discharge from the wound.
Bleeding: Minor bleeding is normal, but excessive bleeding that does not stop with pressure is a concern.
Recurrence: If the cyst wall was not completely removed, the cyst may reappear. This is a higher risk with simple incision and drainage compared to surgical excision.

For more information on the types of cysts and general treatment options, the Mayo Clinic provides a comprehensive resource on epidermoid cysts.

Conclusion

Ultimately, does cyst removal on the head hurt? The procedure itself should not be painful, thanks to local anesthesia. Any discomfort experienced afterward is typically mild and easily managed with standard pain medication and proper aftercare. By understanding the process and following your doctor's guidance, you can ensure a smooth and relatively pain-free experience. If you have any concerns or experience unexpected pain during your recovery, do not hesitate to contact your healthcare provider for reassurance and advice.

Post-Procedure Wound Care and Scarring

Proper aftercare is not just about managing pain, but also ensuring the best possible cosmetic outcome, especially since the head and scalp are involved. The location of the cyst can influence the doctor's approach and the visibility of any resulting scar. For example, a small cyst might be removed with a minimally invasive technique, while a larger one could require a more significant incision. Keeping the surgical site protected from sun exposure can also prevent the scar from darkening. Your doctor will provide specific instructions on how to care for your stitches, which may involve keeping the area dry for a period, avoiding harsh hair products, and refraining from activities that could pull on the healing skin. By adhering to these guidelines, you can facilitate healing and minimize the long-term visibility of the scar.

The Importance of Professional Removal

It is crucial to emphasize that attempting to remove a cyst at home is not recommended. Self-removal significantly increases the risk of infection, inflammation, incomplete removal, and improper healing, which can lead to a more severe and complicated situation than the original cyst. A trained dermatologist or surgeon has the sterile equipment and medical expertise to perform the procedure safely and effectively, ensuring the entire cyst and its capsule are extracted to prevent recurrence and promote a quick recovery. If you have a cyst that is causing concern, a professional consultation is always the safest course of action.

Frequently Asked Questions

The local anesthetic injection is often described as feeling like a brief pinch or sting, similar to a bee sting. This is typically the most uncomfortable part of the entire procedure, and the sensation subsides quickly as the numbing agent takes effect.

Yes, with the use of a local anesthetic, the area around the cyst is completely numbed, so you should not feel any pain during the actual removal. You might feel some pressure, but not pain.

The duration of the procedure depends on the size and type of the cyst, but a typical surgical excision can often be completed in as little as 15 to 45 minutes.

Yes, it is very common to experience mild pain, soreness, or tenderness after the anesthetic wears off. This discomfort is part of the normal healing process and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.

Your doctor will provide specific instructions, but generally, you should avoid getting the wound wet for at least 24 hours. After that, you can gently wash your hair with mild shampoo, being careful not to scrub the incision site.

You should contact your doctor if you notice increased redness, swelling, severe pain that doesn't improve with medication, pus, or a foul-smelling discharge from the wound.

Surgical excision may result in a small scar. A dermatologist or surgeon is trained to make incisions in a way that minimizes scarring. Following aftercare instructions, including avoiding sun exposure, can help minimize the appearance of the scar.