Skin tags are a source of constant frustration. They are tiny, soft growths that can appear anywhere on your body, often in places where skin rubs against skin, clothing, or jewellery. While they are usually harmless, they can affect your comfort and confidence. When considering skin tag removal, you need to know your options and understand why professional guidance is the safest path.
What Are Skin Tags?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a skin tag is a small, soft, benign growth that hangs off the skin. They are typically flesh-coloured or slightly darker and connect to the skin by a narrow stalk. While they can look concerning, they are not cancerous and pose no medical threat. This common skin condition occurs in individuals of all ages, though they become more frequent with age.
Skin tags most often appear in areas where the skin folds and experiences friction. You might find them in your:
- Armpits
- Neck
- Groin
- Eyelids
- Under the breasts
They do not pose a health issue but can catch on clothes or jewellery, which causes discomfort, irritation, and bleeding. This is often the primary reason people seek professional skin tag removal.
What Causes Skin Tags?
Understanding the causes of skin tags helps you feel more informed about them. While the exact reason they appear is not fully understood, several known factors contribute to their development.
- Friction: This is the most common cause. When skin repeatedly rubs against itself, it leads to the formation of a skin tag. This is why you often find them in areas with natural folds.
- Genetics: If your parents or other close family members have skin tags, you may be more likely to get them as well.
- Age: Skin tags become more common as you get older.
- Weight Gain: People who gain weight or are obese often have more skin folds, which increases friction and the likelihood of developing skin tags.
- Hormonal Changes: During pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through significant hormonal changes that make her more susceptible to skin tags.
- Insulin Resistance: There is a known association between insulin resistance, often seen in people with type 2 diabetes, and the development of multiple skin tags.
If you’re concerned about your skin tags, a professional consultation is the first step toward finding a solution. Schedule your free consultation today.
Why is At-Home Skin Tag Removal a Bad Idea?
You have likely seen countless videos and articles online promoting do-it-yourself skin tag removal methods. These may involve dental floss, special creams, or attempting to snip the tag off with scissors. We strongly advise against these methods.
While they may seem quick and convenient, at-home removal poses serious risks.
- Infection: Your home environment is not sterile. Cutting or otherwise breaking the skin introduces bacteria, which leads to a serious infection.
- Scarring: Without the right tools or technique, you are likely to damage the surrounding skin, which results in noticeable and permanent scarring.
- Incomplete Removal: At-home methods often leave part of the skin tag behind, which can lead to it growing back.
- Excessive Bleeding: If you do not have the proper medical instruments to stop the bleeding, a small cut can become a bigger problem.
- Misdiagnosis: This is perhaps the greatest risk. What you believe is a harmless skin tag could be something else entirely, such as a mole or a precancerous lesion. A medical professional identifies different skin growths and determines the correct course of action. Attempting to remove a growth at home without this crucial step has severe consequences, delaying a correct diagnosis and treatment for a potentially serious condition.
What Are the Benefits of Professional Skin Tag Removal?
Choosing a professional medical aesthetics clinic for your skin tag removal offers a level of safety, precision, and expertise you cannot get at home. Our doctor-led team handles a wide range of skin conditions and is equipped to ensure your procedure is safe, effective, and tailored to your specific needs.
Expert Diagnosis and Precision
Before any skin tag removal procedure begins, our team conducts a thorough assessment. We will examine the growth to confirm it is a benign skin tag and not another type of lesion. This initial step provides a level of peace of mind that a DIY approach simply cannot.
Safe, Medically Approved Methods
We perform all removals in a sterile, clinical environment using professional, medically approved equipment. We do not use unproven at-home remedies or generic creams. Our methods are minimally invasive, precise, and gentle on your skin. You can trust us to perform the procedure to the highest standards of safety.
Minimal Discomfort and Downtime
Our methods for skin tag removal are quick and efficient. The procedures themselves often conclude in a matter of seconds, and we use a local anaesthetic to ensure your comfort. You will be able to return to your normal daily activities with minimal to no downtime.
What Are the Medical Options for Skin Tag Removal?
At Facial & Body Sculpting Clinics, we offer several effective and safe methods for skin tag removal. We base the choice of treatment on the size, location, and number of skin tags you have.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy, or freezing, is a popular method for removing skin tags. It involves the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the tissue. The skin tag falls off within a few days to a week. The procedure is very fast, and patients feel only a slight sting or brief discomfort during the application. After the procedure, the area may appear red or slightly swollen.
Minor Surgical Excision
For larger skin tags or those with a wide base, a minor surgical excision may be the best method. We perform this quick and straightforward process with local anaesthesia to numb the area. The doctor carefully removes the entire stalk to prevent regrowth. We may cover the area with a small bandage, and we provide you with instructions for aftercare.
Laser Skin Tag Removal
Laser technology offers a highly precise and virtually painless option for skin tag removal. A medical-grade laser vaporizes the skin tag’s tissue, leaving the surrounding skin undamaged. This method is excellent for removing skin tags in delicate areas. It is quick and reduces the risk of scarring. After a laser procedure, the area will appear red and scab over, but it heals quickly.
What to Expect During Your Consultation
When you come for your consultation, our team will sit down with you to discuss your concerns. We will perform a thorough assessment of your skin and the skin tags you wish to have removed. Based on the size, number, and location of the skin tags, we will recommend the most suitable treatment option for you. We will explain the procedure, its benefits, and what you can expect during the recovery period. This personalised approach guarantees that you are fully informed and comfortable with your treatment plan before it begins.
Choose Safety, Choose Expertise
Skin tag removal is a simple procedure that, when done correctly, can significantly improve your comfort and confidence. While at-home methods may seem tempting, the risks of infection, scarring, and misdiagnosis are far too great. Trusting a professional medical aesthetics clinic guarantees you a safe, effective, and precise treatment. Our team provides the expertise and cares you need to achieve the results you want.
Ready to learn more and take the first step toward clear, smooth skin? Book your consultation today.