Soap stud Steve Burton has been off General Hospital for years ... but he's back!

Back and front are both looking exceptional.

Keep reading for more ...

(Image via Steve Burton)

Via Soaps in Depth: Steve Burton, who joined General Hospital in 1991 but has been off the show since 2012, staged a surprise comeback September 19, and has been milking it with his fans ever since, pushing hard on social media.

He's looking good at 47, and seems to know it.

Burton continues teasing his fans with promises of more and more exposure on GH:

Thanks 2 everyone 4 their SUPPORT! Having a blast @GeneralHospital Now let's get this mask off! Lol! #grateful #getthismaskoff #patient6 pic.twitter.com/ErLpLVXr7A

— Steve Burton (@1SteveBurton) September 20, 2017