Skin tag removal is a procedure that is usually done in order to improve your physical appearance. However, skin tags may be removed in order to stop the discomfort they cause you or solve medical issues connected with them. It is a dermatologist who normally performs skin tag removal procedures. Â But you can remove skin tags at home by yourself or the help of someone else. Â This post delves into the methods and procedures used in skin tag removal, including medical treatments and home remedies. It also looks into the available products and removers for skin tag removal, such as kits and creams.
What Are Skin Tags
Skin tags are soft, flappy and oddly shaped growths that hang off the skin of a person. These growths consist of loose collagen tissue that has blood vessels for the blood supply. They are usually attached to the body by a flexible stalk-like stem of flesh.
Medically, skin tags are known as acrochordon (plural acrochorda). The other common terms that are used to refer to skin tag are fibroepithelial polyp, cutaneous papilloma, and soft fibroma.
Normally, the color of skin tags is the same as that of your skin. However, skin tags may also have a color that is different from that of your skin, in which case it usually ranges from pink to black.
Normally, skin tags do not pose any health problems or risks. However, they may cause other non-medical problems such as being cosmetically unsightly. Also, they may cause obstruction discomfort or pain, or bleed when they are accidentally get snagged by clothes and other objects.
However, skin tags may get infected in which case they need to be treated. Skin tags usually get infects after being injured physically for example when they accidentally rub against an object or when they are ripped after being trapped and in clothes or other objects.
In very rare and rather coincidental cases, skin tags may develop cancer cells. In such cases, the skin tags become inflamed and painful just like when they are infected. However, cancerous skin tags may develop without any clear and noticeably signs,
Location of Skin tags on the Body
Skin tags can appear anywhere on your body. However, they are often found on areas with folds and creases. Nevertheless, skin tags can still be in areas that do not have folds or crease. The common areas where skin tags appear on human body include:
- On nipples and under breast
- Under the armpit
- On the neck
- On the eyelids and around eyes
- On the scalp
- On the face
- On chest and back
- Anal or rectal skin tags. (skin tags on anus or around the anus)
- On male genitals (on penis or penis shaft testicles or scrotum and groin)
- On female genitals (on vagina or vulva, vaginal lips or labia and groin
Why and When Is Skin Tag Removal Necessary
You do not have to remove skin tags on your body unless they pose medical threats to your health. Basically, skin tag removal is only necessary if they are connected to a medical problem. However, you may also need to remove your skin tags if they make you uncomfortable or for cosmetic reasons.
1. Â Medical reasons for Skin Tag Removal
If your skin tags become inflamed or painful, it might be an indication that they may be connected with a medical problem such as some infections, or very rarely as cancer. In such cases, you may need to have them examined and screened for any medical issues.
If there are some medical problems with skin tags, then it is very necessary to have them removed and save yourself from the unnecessary distress and potential danger to your health.
2. Â Discomfort Reasons for Skin Tag Removal
The fact that skin tags on your do not have any medical problem does not mean that they are completely harmless. Depending on the location, size, shape, and nature of the skin tags, they may give you hard time when you are engaging in your day to day actives. Some of the common non-nonmedical difficulties caused by skin tags include:
- Getting snagged in your clothes or jewelry and hence causing pain and sometimes bleeding
- If the skin tags are too big and depending on their location, they may cause discomfort to the adjacent parts of your body. For example, they may cause unnatural rubbing against these adjacent parts
- The skin tag may partially obstruct your normal activities depending on their sizes and location. For example, genital skin tags might hinder normal sex. Sometimes, the skin tags may be obstructive during activities such as taking bath, especially when scrubbing yourself with a washcloth.
3. Â Cosmetic Reasons for Skin Tag Removal
It is very common for people to remove their skin tags for cosmetic reasons (to improve their appearance). Appealing looks is a quality that is naturally embraced by people in general.
If you find that your skin tags are very unsightly, this will certainly lower your self-esteem, especially when the skin tags are in open parts of your body like the eyelids, neck or face. The obvious solution to skin tags that reduce your good appearance is to have them removed.
Common Methods for Skin Tag Removal
For health or cosmetic reasons, you may want to remove the skin tags on your body. There are various methods of removing skin tags and one method may be preferred to another depending on circumstances such as the location, desired results and how fast you would like the skin tags to be removed.
The most common and effective methods of getting rid of skin tags include cutting them off, freezing them off, burning hem off, tying them off and laser treatment. These are the usual methods used by dermatologists in most clinics.
1. Â Skin Tag Removal by Excision (Cutting off Skin Tags)
Do you want to remove your skin tags instantly? Cutting off skin tags or excision is a simple surgical process that can be carried out in an outpatient health facility. It basically entails shaving off the skin tag using a surgical scalpel or scissors.
This procedure can be used to remove skin tags from anywhere on your body. This procedure usually takes very short time. However, it may take longer depending on the number of your skin tags and their location.
Your dermatologist will begin by sterilizing the skin tag and the surrounding area to get rid of bacteria which may cause and infection on the area after the removal of the skin tag. He will then numb the affected are with a local anesthesia through an injection or topical application.
With a pair of tweezers, the dermatologist will tug the skin tag to one side and cut it with a surgical scalpel of a pair of scissors. Alternatively, he can clip off the skin tag using a clipper
Cutting off skin tags should be carried out by a qualified health practitioner, especially when the skin tags are large. However, for smaller skin tags, you can follow the procedure for cutting off skin tags at home and cut them yourself.
2. Â Skin Tag Removal by Cryotherapy (Freezing off Skin Tags)
Freezing off skin tags is a procedure that whereby the skin tags are subjected to extremely cold condition to destroy them. Medically, freezing off skin tags, or any other skin lesion, is called cryotherapy or cryosurgery. The usual freezing substance is liquid nitrogen gas. It comes in a container fitted with a nozzle for easy application onto the skin.
During the skin tag removal procedure, your doctor will follow the following steps:
- Clean the skin tag and the surrounding area
- Hold the skin tag to the side with a pair of tweezers
- Apply the liquid nitrogen gas at the base of the skin tag via the nozzle for about 30 seconds
Subjecting the base or stem of the skin tag to the extremely cold condition will damage the tissues and blood capillaries of the skin tags. As a result, the skin tag will shrink with time as the blood supply to the skin tag will cut off. Eventually, the skin tag will die and fall off your skin.
The procedure of freezing off skin tags does not cause much pain. But there is usually a little discomfort due to the very cold freezing substance. However, the discomfort goes away shortly after the treatment. In case you cannot stand the discomfort, remember to request your dermatologist to treat the area will a local anesthesia before the procedure begins.
Freezing off skin tags does not usually cause any severe side effect. One common side effect is a little reddening of the skin around the skin tag. Also, the area around the skin tag may become scarred, especially if the freezing substance spreads to the surrounding area. In rare cases, surrounding skin may become a bit sensitive for some time. See freezing off skin tags for more information.
3. Â Skin Tag Removal by Ligation (Tying off Skin Tags)
Ligation is the medical term for tying off the skin tag, or any other unwanted growth. It is a procedure whereby the skin tags are tied at the base to damage it and hence get rid of it.
During the procedure, your doctor will tie the base of the skin tag using an appropriate string. In some cases, the doctor may use special gadgets that facilitate the tying. A good example is the tagband skin removal device. With this device, you can easily carry out the procedure by yourself or with the help of someone at home.
When the skin tag is tied, the supply of blood to the skin tag is cut off gradually. As time goes by, the skin tag shrinks and eventually dies. Finally, the dead tissue falls off your skin.
Tying off skin tags will definitely irritate the skin around the tied skin tag. As a result, the surrounding skin will redden and get inflamed and hence cause some pain. Therefore, this method may not be appropriate in removing skin tags from sensitive areas. Examples of skin tags on sensitive areas include the genital skin tags and skin tags on the anus.
4. Â Skin Tag Removal by Cauterization (Burning off Skin Tags)
Burning off skin tags is a very common way of removing skin tags. This method is medically referred to as cauterization and it can also be used to remove other skin growths. Based on the source of heat, cauterization can be classified into two types: namely, electrical cauterization and chemical cauterization.
Electrical Cauterization
This type of naturalization uses heat that is produced by electrical energy. There is an electrical device that is used to deliver the heat to the skin tag called a cautery or a cauterizer.
In the procedure, the doctor plugs in the cauterizing tool to heat it up. In the meantime, he will clean the skin tags and the surrounding area and apply a local anesthesia to numb it.
The dermatologist will then adjust the needle of the cauterizing tool according to the size of your skin tags. He will then hold the skin tag to one side with a pair of tweezers. Next, he will carefully burn the base of the skin tag with the hot needle to damage it.
Chemical Cauterization
In chemical cauterization, a chemical substance is used to produce the heat used in the procedure. This chemical substance is usually kept in a container that has a nozzle for easy delivery during use.
During the skin tag removal, your doctor will first clean the affected area. Next, he will apply a local anesthesia topically or by injection to the skin tag and the surrounding area.
When the anesthesia becomes active, he will apply the chemical cauterizer to the base of the skin tag carefully using the nozzle. The chemical substance will produce heat that will burn the skin tags.
Burning off skin tags is a very effective way of removing skin tags. When skin tags are burnt, the heat damages the skin tags tissues and blood vessels supplying the skin tags with blood. Therefore, the skin tag treated by either of the two methods will shrivel with time and eventually fall off.
However, the skin tag may be burnt off and be completely removed during the procedure, especially when electrical cauterization is used.
To many people, removing skin tags by burning them off is too invasive and scary. But the procedure itself may not be as invasive as it may appear. However, let your doctor of a qualified practitioner carry out the procedure to avoid accidents such as burning yourself.
Besides frightening many patients, burning off skin tags may some side effects like reddening, inflammation, and scarring surrounding skin. These side effects can be minimized if the heat is only applied skin tags without affecting the surrounding skin.
In addition, burning off skin tags may not be used to remove skin tags from sensitive skin areas such as the skin tags on the genitals as well as those on the anus.
5. Â Skin Tag Removal by Laser Treatment or Surgery
Laser treatment or surgery is an effective method for skin tag removal, especially for cosmetic reasons. This method is particularly preferred when you do not want to leave a visible scar on the skin tag site. The procedure utilizes focused light from a laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) machine
The laser can be set to specific wavelengths. This allows it to be focused into powerful beams of light which can be tuned to even cut a heavy metal bar. During the removal procedure, focused light from a laser machine is used to cut the skin tags off the skin.
More importantly, the doctor is able to carry out the procedure with great accuracy because of being able to focus on a small area at a time. Due to the high accuracy, removal of skin tags by laser surgery causes minimal damage to the surrounding skin. Similarly, the side effects are minimal as it leaves an even edge with a virtually invisible scar.
In addition, Laser surgery produces a sealing effect on the skin. This helps to stop bleeding during the procedure and avoid an open wound hence minimize infection after the procedure. On the whole, skin tag removal by laser surgery produce better results with mild side effects that the other methods discussed above. However, laser surgery is relatively much more expensive.
Skin Tag Removal Products and Removers
Skin tag removal products include kits, creams. These products are usually used by a dermatologist in an in-office procedure to remove skin tags. However, some of the products are tailored for skin tag removal at home.
Skin Tag Removal Kits
A skin tag removal kit is a complete set of products and/or equipment tailored to work together in a way that facilitates skin tag removal. They are innovative gadgets and products which are especially appropriate when the procedure is to be carried out at home. However, they can still be used in office by dermatologists. Here, we highlight some of the most effective and popular skin tag removal kits:
1. Â TagBand Skin Tag Removal Device
As we have already seen, tying off skin tags is one of the effective and popular methods of removing skin tags. However, this method might not be as easy in case you do not have a device to facilitate the process, especially if you want to carry out the process by yourself.
To make the process easy and fast, a gadget known as a tagband skin tag removal device was made. With this device, you can tie off your skin tags safely and comfortably. In this regard, tagband skin tag removal device eliminates the risk of irritating or infecting yourself during the removal procedure.
A tagband skin tag removal device is a kit that comes complete with everything that is required during the skin tag removal. The kit includes cleansing pads, bands, a cone and a band remover.
Procedure
- Clean the skin tag and the surrounding area with one of the cleansing pads provided in the kit
- Push one of the bands up on the section of the cone
- attach the band remover and make sure that it touches the band
- Push the band close to the edge of the cone
- Place the cone over the skin tag such that it is level with the skin surface
- Push the band remover towards the skin gently and pull off the cone
- Pull away the band remover, leaving band tightly fastened around base of the skin tag
Immediately after this procedure, the band will start reducing the blood supply to the skin tag. With time, the skin tag will shrivel and eventually drop off. This might take several days depending on the nature and size of the skin tag. Smaller ones will fall off faster while large ones may take a little while to fall off and this may vary from one individual to another.
2. Â DermaTag Kit for Skin Tag Removal
DermaTag kit is an effective and fast and painless skin tag removal kit that contains everything needed in the procedure. It can be safely and successfully used to remove skin tags at home. The package contains:
- 11ml DermaTag formula in a bottle with a built in pad applicator.
- 20 fabric plasters which can be used instead of the built-in
- 20 cotton buds for cleaning the area around the skin tag before removal.
- 1 Emery board for roughening up the skin tag before applying the formula.
Procedure (Always follow the supplied instructions)
- Roughen the end of the skin tag with the emery board that is supplied. This helps the formula to penetrate the skin tag quicker for fast results.
- Apply the formula directly to the skin tag using the pad applicator that is supplied for about 10 minutes
- Clean the surrounding area with one of the supplied cotton buds
- Repeat this procedure 3-4 times a day until the skin tags are It usually takes up to two weeks for the treatment to be complete.
NB: For extended overnight treatment, use one of the supplied plasters. Apply the formula to the plaster or on the skin tag and place the plaster over the skin tag. Overnight treatment usually gives faster results.
During the treatment, the skin tag will start to reduce in size and become darker after a couple of days. This means it has begun to die and will eventually fall off after a few more days.
3. Â HeltiQ Skintags for Skin Tag Removal
HeltiQ Skintags is an innovative and unique product that you can safely use to remove skin tags at home. It is based on cryotherapy (treatment by freezing off). It has been tested and used by dermatologists and proven to be effective and safe. It can also to effectively remove warts.
The product consists of a dispenser containing a cryogen (aerosol gas) and a built-in applicator. It has replaceable single-use disposable foam tips. It is supplied with a protective patch that is applied around the skin tag to protect it during the procedure.
Procedure (Always follow the supplied instructions)
The instructions for use are supplied together with the product. The instructions also outline important information about this product including side effects contraindications, warnings, and precautions. Read and understand the instructions before using this product. You can also get the procedure in the video at the end of this post.
After the treatment, the skin tag will shrivel and fall off the skin after 10 to 14 days. Thereafter, new and healthy skin develops in the affected area, leaving you with the desired spotless attractive
Skin Tag Removal Creams
There are many brands of skin tag removal creams in the market. Some of the creams come as part of the skin tag removal kits while other are available separately. Some of the skin tag removal creams are available OTC and are used for skin tag removal at home. On the other hand, some are either prescribed or used by dermatologists in in-office skin tag removal procedures. Some of the common creams used for skin tag removal include:
- Wart Mole Vanish: This is a product by Pristine Herbal Touch that is an effective and fast skin tags remover. As its name suggests, it can also an effective product for removing warts.
- Revitol Skin Tag Remover: It is a product by Rivitol, a well know beauty Products Company. Some of the advantages of this cream include it being cheap and natural and gentle. The fact that it is gentle means that it takes a bit longer to work but its results are satisfactory.
Chemical Peel for Skin tag removal
A chemical peel is an effective way of removing skin tags from your body. With a chemical peel, you do not need to waste time visiting a dermatologist, if you understand the procedure. However, it is highly recommended that your dermatologist carries out the procedure if you are not conversant with it.
Trichloroacetic acid solution is commonly used by dermatologists as a chemical peel. Usually milder solutions of the acid (8% – 30%) are used for skin resurfacing. However, you need a much stronger solution as a chemical peel if you want to remove skin tags fast. You can choose a strength of 50% or 80%, but 80% works faster and best.
Procedure
- Wash the affected area thoroughly with water and soap. Rub it some alcohol on the area to get rid of any oil on the skin. Pat the area completely dry with a towel.
- Dip a cotton bud (Q-tip) in the trichloroacetic acid solution to absorb it. Be careful not to let apply or let it spread to the adjacent healthy skin.
- Carefully apply the acid solution directly to the skin tag with the Q-tip
- Let it stay on the skin tag for 5 to 10 minutes, and then rinse it off with cold water
- Repeat this procedure daily until a scab forms over the skin tag
The skin tag will gradually shrivel and form a scab. When the scab forms, ensure that you do not disturb it, especially when removing your clothes or taking a shower. The scab should be left to heal naturally and drop off. Otherwise, if the scab is disturbed, the area may become painful or get scarred or even infected.
During this skin tag removal procedure, you might experience a mild and tolerable burning or stinging sensation. The side effects of this method include mild reddening that goes away after a few days. You might also get some scarring but it too heals after some time.
Generally, use this method on hidden areas and avoid open areas like your face, as it may leave some scar which might take some time to heal. Definitely, you should not use this method on sensitive areas like on or around the genitals and the anus.
Removal of Skin Tags with Scissors or Nail Clipper
There are cases where some people remove skin tags at home by cutting them off using scissors or scalpel. Similarly, other people remove the skin tags by clipping them off using nail clippers. However, this method of skin tag removal is not recommended because of the problems that it might cause.
First, it might lead to profuse bleeding, especially if a large skin tag is removed this way. Second, it may lead to infections because of being carried out in conditions that are not sterile or due to poor aftercare practices.
Therefore, you are strongly advised to have your skin tags removed by a dermatologist or use safe methods if you have to remove them at home.
Removal of Skin Tags with Dental Floss
This is basically the tying off skin tags technique but utilizes dental floss as the string to tie the skin tags, especially at home. The skin tags are tied at the base of the stem using the dental floss. This deprive the skin tag of sufficient blood, making them shrivel and fall off after some time.
Apple Cider Vinegar for Skin tag removal
Apple cider vinegar has been used to successfully remove skin tags. You simply soak a piece of cotton wool in apple cider vinegar solution and then rub the cotton ball on the skin tag 2-3 times a day. You need to repeat this every day and the skin tag will shrink and fall off afterward
Skin Tag Removal At Home
Although we recommend that you have your skin tags removed at home, there are safe methods that can be used to remove them at home. Skin tag removal at home will definitely be cheaper and time-saving.
However, you need to use safe methods to remove skin tags at home. You need to be much more careful when removing big skin tags which might lead to excessive bleeding.
You also need to be sure about your preferred method of removal, especially with regard to the location of the skin tags. Fr example, use of certain methods or creams may cause a lot of irritation and other adverse effects if used on sensitive skin such as the genital are or the anus.
Some of the common ways of removing skin tags at home include tying them off, clipping them or use of skin tag removal creams and kits, and some herbs used as home remedies for skin tag removal.
Removing Skin Tags Yourself
If you choose to remove skin tags at home, you do this yourself. However, to remove skin tags yourself, they have to be located on an area of your body that you can reach and carry out the procedure comfortably. I case you cannot reach the skin tags, for example, those on your back, let someone carry out the removal procedure.
To remove skin tags yourself in some areas like your face, you will certainly need to use a big mirror that will enable you to clearly see and carry out the removal procedure.
Some of the safe methods you use to remove skin tags yourself include the use of some skin tag removal kits like the DermaTag Kit and TagBand Skin Tag Removal Device discussed earlier sections of this post. Alternatively, you can use creams and other home remedies to remove skin tags by yourself.
Skin Tag Removal Cost
The cost of removing skin tags usually depends on a number of factors which mainly include:
- Method of skin tag removal: Usually the result desired after skin tag removal influences the method used and hence the cost.
- Choice of clinic for removing the skin tags: Different clinics charge different amounts for the same services. Look for clinics that off better services at affordable Consider going to clinics that are specialized for skin tag removal as they are likely to be cheaper.
- Medical insurance: Most medical insurance covers include skin treatments in their policy. If so, the cost of removing skin tags will be substantially reduced. Note that there might be clinics that do not accept your insurance policy while others may accept.
Other Factors that ay Influencing cost of skin tag removal include.
- The size of the skin tags to be removed: The removal of larger skin tags may cost more than the removal of smaller ones.
- The location of the skin tags: Skin tags located in visible areas are usually removed with delicacy and hence cost more.
- Number of the skin tags to be removed: Usually the more the skin tags, the more the cost. In fact, some clinics charge per single skin tag removal.
- Country of treatment: Skin tag removal costs may vary from country to country for offering similar services.
In most clinics, there is a consultation fee of $100 – $150 depending on the level of the specialist who attends to you. On average, the cost of skin tag removal ranges between $50 and $500, depending on the factors discussed above.
Do’s and Don’ts During Skin Tag Removal
Do’s
- Carefully read and understand the instructions for the removal method you have opted for before using it
- Use sterile equipment during the procedure to avoid infections
- After removal, keep the area clean and covered with a bandage avoid infections
Don’ts
- Do not attempt to use a method you are unfamiliar with because you might end up with bad results or even accidents and worsen the situation
- Do not attempt to clip or cut off a skin tag at home, especially when it is a big one. It is likely to cause severe pain or bleed profusely. Eventually, you might end up in the clinic were trying to avoid
- Do not try to remove skin tags by pulling them off. Although this may seem to be a costless way of removing the skin tags, it is not practical at all. If anything, an attempt to pull off the skin tags will only cause severe pain and bleeding, without having it completely removed. As a result, you will cause an injury to the skin tag and risk having an infection on the skin tag.
Video: How to use TagBand Skin Tag Removal Device
Video: How to Remove Skin Tags Using DermaTag Kit
Video: Remove skin tags yourself | HeltiQ Skintags
Sources and References
[showhide type=”links” more_text=”Show Sources and References” less_text=”Hide Sources and References”]
- DermaTag Skin Tag Removal Kit: https://www.dermatag.co.uk/
- Apple Cider Vinegar To Remove Skin Tags: https://www.littlethings.com/remove-skin-tags-naturally/
- Removing Moles and Skin Tags: http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/removing-moles-and-skin-tags-topic-overview#1
- Best Methods for Safely Removing Skin Tags Yourself at Home Fast: https://www.skintagsgone.com
- Skin Tag: http://www.medicinenet.com/skin_tag/article.htm
- Skin Tags: Removal, Causes and Treatments: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/67317.php [/showhide]