Skin Tag Removal

Skin tags are small growths that hang off your skin on a thin piece of tissue called a stalk. Skin tags are medically known as acrochordons and may consist of many components, including fat, collagen fibers, nerve cells, and small blood vessels.

Generally, skin tags are benign and colorless and range in size from 1 to 5 mm. Although harmless, skin tags can sometimes cause some discomfort (based on their location on your body). For instance, if you have skin tags located along your neckline and you commonly wear necklaces, the chains could continuously rub against the skin tags, causing irritation.

Sometimes, people may opt to have skin tags removed due to irritation or for aesthetic reasons. Patients who are unsure whether they have a skin tag or another lesion may benefit from learning more about what skin tags are before scheduling treatment.

How Skin Tags Differs From A Wart

Skin tags can sometimes look similar to warts. However, unlike warts, skin tags have a smooth and soft surface and tend to hang off the skin by a thin strand of tissue. Skin tags are not contagious like warts.

Causes of Skin Tags

When the body produces extra cells in the skin’s top layers, skin tags form. Typically, they form in skin folds and areas where natural movement causes the skin to rub against itself.

People with multiple benign skin growths may also want to learn more about other common benign skin growths and how they differ from skin tags.

Common Areas for Skin Tag Growth

Skin tags can grow anywhere on the body. Generally, acrochordons occur in areas where skin rubs against skin.

Some of the most common areas for skin tag growth include:

• Eyelids
• Armpits
• Neck
• Breast Area
• Groin Area

Chances of Developing Skin Tags

You are most likely to develop skin tags with age. They may also occur if there is a family history of skin tags or you have a health issue such as diabetes, obesity, or skin disorders. Sometimes they can occur due to pregnancy.

Skin Tag Removal

Skin tag removal is a quick and relatively painless procedure that can be performed on an outpatient basis. Your dermatology provider will determine the best treatment for your skin tag removal based on its size and location.

Cryotherapy is the most common method for skin tag removal, where skin tags are frozen off with liquid nitrogen.

Another option is electrocautery, where an electric probe or needle is used to burn off skin tags. Alternatively, your dermatologist may suggest simply snipping off the skin tags with surgical scissors or a scalpel.

Patients interested in learning more about the process can review additional information on how to remove skin tags and what to expect after treatment.

After treatment, scabs form in the treated area, and they fall off within a few days. If you have a light skin tone, you may notice a slight skin discoloration in the treated area after the scabs fall off.

If your skin feels irritated after removal, you may also want to understand why skin can suddenly become sensitive. Using the right moisturizer and incorporating medical-grade skincare products may also help support healing.

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